There was a creative energy running through the 2025 St Kilda Film Festival that felt unmistakably grounded in fresh ideas and fearless storytelling. It’s what makes us so proud to be a part of the action and to resume our supporting role for another year.
This year, JMC’s presence at the festival went beyond participation. From behind-the-scenes support to on-screen premieres and on-campus professional development, JMC took a leading role in fostering connection between emerging filmmakers and the broader screen industry. It was an opportunity not just to showcase talent, but to shape the conversations that will define the future of Australian film.
The Big Picture: Filmmaker Development Day
In parallel with the festival, JMC once again hosted The Big Picture, a full-day Filmmaker Development event at its Melbourne campus. Open to students, aspiring filmmakers, and the wider creative community, the event delivered a comprehensive look at what it takes to craft compelling screen content in today’s landscape.
The day featured a mix of workshops, camera demonstrations, creative sessions, and industry panels led by a blend of JMC lecturers and guest experts. From directing to production design, the program gave attendees an up-close look at both the craft and the career pathways available in screen and content production.
With sessions taking place throughout the campus, and the day wrapping up with networking, The Big Picture offered more than skills-building, it created meaningful connections between emerging talent and industry mentors. For many, it was a first glimpse into what a life in the screen industries might truly look like.
@jmcacademy ST KILDA FILM FEST X JMC — that’s a wrap! 🎬 Our Big Picture Development Day with St Kilda Film Festival was packed with creativity, connection, and next-level inspiration. From hands-on workshops to panels and creative sessions, the day was all about sharing knowledge, building networks, and empowering the next wave of talent. A huge thank you to our amazing JMC lecturers and guest industry speakers for bringing their insight (and their incredible work) to the screen. A massive congratulations to all the JMC creatives featured in this year’s St Kilda Film Festival. Your bold, boundary-pushing storytelling reflects the vibrant spirit of our community. 🙌 This was our fifth year opening the doors to the wider public, and we’re so grateful to everyone who came along and got involved. You made it unforgettable 💛
♬ original sound - JMC Academy
JMC Films in the Spotlight
This year, one of the most exciting moments of the festival came when the St Kilda screens lit up with stories straight out of the JMC universe, each one unapologetically bold, deeply personal, and impossible to ignore.
Luka Gracie, a JMC Film alum, premiered FOUND—a deeply personal short written, directed and performed by Luka, alongside fellow JMC alum Noah McCann. The film follows Apollo, a 21-year-old trans man who unexpectedly finds a sense of belonging at Transcendence, a nightclub for trans people. Through its heartfelt storytelling and nuanced performances, FOUND offered a powerful representation of queer identity and community.
JMC Film & TV lecturer Riley Maguire presented Janus, a visually striking, time-bending meditation on obsession and self. Equally evocative was To Freely Flourish, co-produced and shot by JMC lecturer Jude Ella. A coming-of-age story about a queer Chinese-Australian teen navigating identity and cultural expectation, the film has already garnered acclaim internationally, and is now a finalist in St Kilda’s prestigious Top Short Film Competition.
These works collectively reflect the creative ambition and boundary-pushing storytelling that defines JMC’s film community.
A Lasting Impact
JMC’s participation in the 2025 St Kilda Film Festival is more than a highlight on the campus calendar. It’s a living example of our commitment to forging meaningful pathways between study and industry. From alumni and lecturers showcasing films, and emerging creatives taking part in Development Day, the festival offered multiple opportunities to engage with the realities of screen production and storytelling at a professional level.
It’s another step in JMC’s ongoing approach to preparing students for the creative industries— not just by building technical skills, but by offering real-world experiences that help shape careers.
