Craig Wyhoon directs the actors on day two of filming.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
Filming has started on the Thrive Films and Art’s second short film following the success of its first.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Blind Freedom is set during the Great Depression in Australia, with filming starting on Sunday, June 9, at various locations across Echuca, including Vic Park and the Aquatic Reserve.
Director and writer Craig Wyhoon collaborates with Thrive Disability Services to offer community members, especially young people, opportunities in the film industry through the Thrive Film and Arts program.
Filming for the first short film, Loki and Me, at the Port of Echuca. Photo: File
Their first short film, Loki and Me, garnered more than 50 awards both internationally and in Australia, such as Best Australian Film at the International World Film Awards for Winter 2023-24, Best Producer at the 2023 Focus on Ability Short Film Festival, and Best Actor and Best Young Actress at the Los Angeles Cinematography Awards.
An experienced crew from Melbourne and Sydney have joined the project to bring Mr Wyhoon’s vision to life, including Sydney-based director Dhana Padhye.
“Craig was looking for someone as a producer, so I reached out to him,” she said.
“It’s been really nice working with everyone.”
Many of the actors are local, like Skye Hope from Twin Rivers School, who is playing the lead role, Ruby, and was highly praised for her performance in Loki and Me.
Crew setting up at Echuca Aquatic Reserve.
Photo by
Emily Donohoe
There are also about 35 extras from across the region, with Thrive Film and Arts program bringing people with disability into the heart of the film. For Mr Wyhoon, this is what it is all about.
“Most importantly, I think we’ve got about four or five people with disabilities here,” he said.
“Providing them the opportunity just to be in a film and learn how it’s all been done.
“They love it, just like Loki and Me last year.”
Filming is scheduled for around eight days, taking the film into post-production for a few months before it is submitted to film festivals.
“Look, there’s no rush,” Mr Wyhoon said.
“I’d like it to be the earlier, the better because there are a lot of internation film festivals that we’d like to submit to and most are later in the year.
“We hope to submit to the ones that we did last year and that we won awards in.
18°C