About us
SydFest Independent Film Festival is an annual festival which celebrates independent Australian and international films of all genres.
The festival is dedicated to supporting and recognising indie filmmakers from all over the world.
We showcase the best new short films that have excellence in storytelling and promise informative, fascinating and riveting entertainment.
Festival Ambassador
Joanne Samuel has acted on major motion pictures, as well as playing recurring roles on television series.
known for Mad Max (1979, wife of Mel Gibson’s character Max), Nightmaster (1987, opposite Nicole Kidman), Smoke Between Trees (2019) and The Wiggles Movie (1997).
More recently, Joanne appeared in the ABC TV series Rake (2010-2018) and directed a children’s adventure film THE FIVE (2020).
Joanne is a long-time advocate for children’s arts education. and has taught youth drama in the Blue Mountains since 1999.
JURIES
ZHANG HUAJIE
Honorary President
Producer, Director. Contemporary artist, doctor of art.
Directed: “Cake” and “Blooming on the wall”.
Director of Photography: “The Case”, “Fruit”, “Watermelon”, “A moment”.
Cinematography: “Hero” and “Up the Yangtze”.
YUN SHAN
Jury President
Director, Screenwriter and Art Director.
Since 2010, Yun Shan started to be a Movie Director and Screenwriter. Now two movies he directed are reserved in China Film Archive.
From 1996, He supervised more than 200 episodes TV series.
JAMES HUGHES
Director
During his career, James has directed hundreds of actors, including Emmy Winners and
BAFTA Winners. His short films have screened at over 350 festivals, with numerous
Oscar and BAFTA Qualifying screenings too. He has also been a Speaker for BAFTA
and is now a member of them too.
PENNY MOORE
Writer, Director and Producer
20 years of experience in the film and television industry. Penny
is a storyteller with a unique and independent voice, who is committed to making original content and delivering quality cinema to the screen. Penny’s
recent film “Trust Frank” competed at over 50 festivals, has screened in 18 countries and has won over 77 awards and accolades.
BEN ULM
Writer, Director and Producer
35 year veteran in non-scripted and documentary. He’s dabbled in scripted, Executive Producing Plonk (a situation comedy series about wine and whiners) and has written and directed short films and music videos. Love & Other Mental Disorders is his latest short film. He’d like to do many more, as there are many stories still to be told
NAHD BASHIR
Producer, Director
A filmmaker that has been in the movie-film industry for nearly 20 years, produced a wide variety of films, plays, and T.V series that have gained success in Israel and worldwide. In addition, he was a theatre and film actor who participated in local and world productions.
DUNCAN PEAKE
Writer, Director, Producer
An up-and-coming filmmaker from Queensland, with most of his films based in the horror genre. Duncan is best known for the international award-winning short film ‘Where’s Weirdo, which as of May 2024 is in the last few months of its festival run and plans to continue making horror projects.
DAVID DUAN
Producer, Distributor
Associate Director from CMC Pictures. Engaged in the development, production, marketing, promotion, and international distribution of live-action and animation films.
2022 WINNERS
Photos
