Hellbender - Short Film
A suburban short that chronicles the unorthodox methods of an unremarkable man on a quest for significance.
Hellbender made its world premiere at the Flickerfest Short Film Festival 2022, won Best Australian Film at the Melbourne Cineverse Film Festival 2022 and was awarded Best Short Film Direction at Capricorn Film Festival 2023.
Hellbender manifested during a rage-fuelled walk
following a script workshop for another short film that wasn't mine.
I was feeling like a failure - having not made a film for quite a few years, and whole story for Hellbender flooded into my head immediately as I pounded the pavement.
I had a story, but I still wasn't sure what it all meant, having trawled through a few pseudo interpretations.
But, Pernell Marsden helped decipher the inner layers, and a story about failure, masculinity and imposter syndrome - especially that of a creative and a man - materialised.
Hellbender had an incredible cast and crew involved, and it was a pleasure making this personal story with them.
Starring Lucas Pittaway
Written & Directed by Gregory Kelly
Produced by Aarushi Chowdhury & Lachlan Wyness
Production Design by Pernell Marsden
Director of Photography by Rudi Siira
Featuring Lucinda Keating, Nathan Pahlijina, James McFadden, Janine McGrath, David Duce & Ruby Stevens.
Edited by Malwina Wodzicka
Sound Design by Scott Young
Colour Grade by Nicolas Hower
Hair & Makeup by Emily Stacey
Costume Design by Thomas Bevans
1st Assistant Camera: Noah Hodgson & Rain Flavell
Grip: Scott Marrinan
Sound Recordist: Jack Worthington
BTS and Runners: Jeremy Teh & Jesse Perez