For 17-year-old filmmaker Caelan Morris, home is when he is behind the camera.
An entrant in The Best Australian Short-Film Competition, Morris said his film, which is shortlisted for the SAE Emerging Talent Prize, was a tribute to quirky American director Wes Anderson.
Morris’ heartwarming work, A Quiet Embrace, tells the story of two teenagers — a boy with mutism, and a deaf girl — falling in love.
“I just wanted to tell you a story about two people who are falling in love in an unconventional way,” Morris said.
“It’s not a typical story of love with both main characters having disabilities. I want to tell a story of love that’s not typically seen.
“I’ve always loved being behind the camera — it’s where I feel at home and it’s just a passion that I’ve had for quite a while.”
With just days to go until entries close, organisers for The Best Australian Short-Film Competition, run by PerthNow in collaboration with major sponsor SAE Creative Media Institute, are celebrating the huge interest, with almost 600 entries across eight categories.
“The quality and quantity of films has been incredible to see, as well as the diverse age range, with filmmakers young and old picking up their cameras to take part,” The West Australian’s editor-in-chief Anthony De Ceglie said.
“So far entries have included from dystopian, Aussie drama, family issues, end of the world, rom coms, zombies, to a huge range of amazing films battling it out for the Animation prize.”
The total prize pool across the categories is $77,500, including the main prize of $50,000 — making it Australia’s richest competition.
Finalists will be announced on February 1, before a live-streamed awards night on Thursday, February 29.