Rising filmmaker and Old Flinderian Kiana Scrase (Flinders Class of 2021) has scooped a bevy of awards for her first short film, based on a true story, 'Us As I Remember', which recently premiered at her Bond University graduate showcase, Centrescreen.
Kiana's short film won Best Actor, Best Editing, Best Sound and Music, and Best Production Design, and was runner up for Best Directing and Best Film.
Next, she will submit the piece to local and international film festivals, including the Gold Coast Film Festival and the Cannes Short Film Festival, before it is able to be released to the public.
Kiana is studying Film and Television at Bond University after graduating from Matthew Flinders Anglican College in 2021 at the top of her Film and TV class.
She has also been awarded Bond University’s First in Class Certificate of Excellence in ‘Screenwriting Short Fiction’.
Kiana explains the film's journey began when her father's best friend - who was like an uncle to her - took his own life in 2022.
"This inspired me to write a film highlighting their beautiful friendship and the importance of suicide awareness, but to also tackle the question of ‘why’, which can't always be answered,” Kiana said.
“Unfortunately, suicide has touched the lives of many. Whether you've lost a loved one or felt suicidal yourself, we want people to know through this documentary, that in grieving or healing...they are not alone.”
To make her heartbreaking and true story into a film, Kiana first had to undergo a pitching process, and was successful!
It was then time to start pre-production, where funding, casting, location scouting, shot listing and so much more began.
"Then it was time to shoot,” Kiana said. “Where in only five days we shot 21 scenes in nine locations with around a total of 20 cast and 15 crew members. It was a big shoot, but ran so smoothly and produced such an amazing outcome.
"We then had six weeks for post production, which included editing, composing, sound design and colour."
Kiana has also worked on various short films in rotating roles, including as a camera assistant intern on a horror feature film, ‘The Demon Disorder’.
Through her film work, she has become fascinated in the portrayal of emotions through performance and visual techniques.
