Aussie Thriller shines the spotlight on Surf Coast talent

A newly released Australian horror film has hit international screens and shows off Surf Coast scenery and talent.

Filmed entirely on the Surf Coast, with a cast and crew from the Greater Geelong, Surf Coast and Bellarine region, a newly released Aussie Thriller is out now on streaming services.

Crow Valley, directed and produced by Torquay filmmaker Josh Conn, shows off an entirely local talent and crew and was shot along the Great Ocean Road and Otway Ranges in 2019.

This year it was released in the US, UK, Canada and Poland before making its way to Australian streaming services in early August.

Geelong-based actor and producer Nicole Freeman, who appeared in 2012 Aussie film Mental with Toni Collette and Anthony Lapaglia, heads the cast, which also features City of Greater Geelong Mayor Peter Murrihy.

The film follows the story of a mountain biker, Benny Jones, after he is knocked off his bike and wakes badly injured in an abandoned cabin where he meets a mysterious young hiker Greta, played by Freeman.

Filmmaker Josh Conn wrote, directed, produced and also stars and said the film began as a passion project.

Conn said the film is a triumph of community filmmaking, with many locals stepping in to help bring it together.

“We did it on weekends, almost as a bit of a hobby.

“Everyone in it is a local person, and we bought the camera and it just gave us time, so we could go back and fix it up, and piece it all together, and it took roughly a year.”

Conn said those familiar with the Surf Coast will recognise iconic spots from Airey’s Inlet, the Otways, and the hinterlands of the Surf Coast.

“One of the things that stood out was how awesome this place is to film a film. We shot a lot of it at a friend’s house in Aireys, and around Aireys, then there were scenes shot just outside Anglesea, in Torquay, a lot of stuff in the bush around those areas,” Conn said.

“And then we went down to a place called the Aire River Crossing, and that was just stunning down there. We shot a little scene, we shot it all in the morning, freezing cold morning, and it was just beautiful.”

A man of many talents, Conn worked as journalist before moving into communications and eventually screenwriting, and said as Crow Valley was his first ever feature film the response has been encouraging.

“We got the deal for quite a few overseas territories, which was great, and a couple of weeks ago we released in Australia through Bounty Films on GooglePlay and YouTube movies, and that’s been going really well also.

“One thing about this movie is it just keeps punching above its weight. It was made so cheaply, but we have managed to have a really good release and get a really good response, and we had a festival showing.

“It’s been really pleasing, because when you’re shooting a film you’re just thinking is this the craziest thing we’ve ever done?”

“So, to have that positive response, and the overseas response has been awesome, and made it really worthwhile.”

Conn said after such a successful release he is already planning his next big project, although he expects it might be a few years in the making.

Crow Valley is now available through Bounty Films in Australia on GooglePlay and YouTube movies.