Big screens. Bright ideas. Real industry impact.

JMC Academy is thrilled to once again team up with St Kilda Film Festival to spotlight emerging talent and shape the next generation of Australian storytellers.

Real Industry Experience for JMC Students

This year, JMC students are stepping into key behind-the-scenes roles across the festival — from event operations to content creation and more. It’s part of our commitment to hands-on learning that bridges the gap between the classroom and the creative industries.

These placements give students direct exposure to the energy and pace of a major film event, helping them develop critical skills, build networks, and graduate with confidence.

Development Day Returns: The Big Picture

We’re also thrilled to announce the return of The Big Picture — our free Filmmaker Development Day hosted at JMC’s Melbourne campus as part of the St Kilda Film Festival.

A hit with students and emerging creatives alike, the event features a full day of workshops, panels, and creative sessions, led by JMC lecturers and guest industry speakers. Whether you're into directing, cinematography, storytelling or production design, The Big Picture is designed to sharpen your skills, ignite new ideas, and connect you with the wider filmmaking community.

This year, we’re opening our doors even wider — welcoming not only current JMC students but future filmmakers as well. If you’re curious about a career in film, animation, or content production, this is your chance to step inside our studios and see what it’s all about.

JMC Community on the Big Screen

Luka Gracie, a JMC Film alum, brings their debut short film FOUND to this year’s St Kilda Film Festival. Written, directed, and performed by Luka, FOUND follows Apollo, a 21-year-old trans man who stumbles into Transcendence, a nightclub for trans people, and discovers a sense of belonging he didn’t know he needed. Starring alongside Luka is fellow JMC alum Noah McCann.

We are beyond proud to see JMC’s Film & TV lecturers Riley Maguire and Jude Ella stepping into the festival spotlight alongside our alumni and showcasing their films.
Riley Maguire brings Janus, a visually striking, time-bending exploration of identity and obsession. Meanwhile, Jude Ella co-produced and shot To Freely Flourish, a powerful coming-of-age story about a queer Chinese-Australian teen navigating culture and self. The film has already made an impact on both local and international screens — and is now a finalist in St Kilda’s prestigious Top Short Film Competition.

A huge congratulations to all the JMC creatives featured in this year’s St Kilda Film Festival, your boundary-pushing storytelling is a true reflection of the vibrant culture that defines our community.

See You at the Festival

Whether they’re gaining experience behind the scenes, stepping into workshops on campus, or premiering bold new work on the big screen, JMC students and staff are right at the heart of this year’s St Kilda Film Festival.

It’s a celebration of creativity, connection, and the real-world pathways that turn passion into profession — and we couldn’t be prouder to be part of it.