Local artist profile: Mitch Nivalis

THIS week we chat with filmmaker and photographer Mitch Nivalis, whose debut non-fiction feature film Equal the Contest won the Best First Feature Documentary award at the 2023 Melbourne Queer Film Festival.

What motivated you to become a filmmaker and photographer?

I’d already been working as a photographer in my own business and was starting to feel I wanted more from my creativity. I’d moved to regional Victoria and was meeting a lot of artists, so I made a few two-minute doco-style stories about them. I loved the rhythm and musicality video had that photography didn’t. I was at a dinner party one night with friends and Missy Higgins was there. She heard about the videos I was making and asked me to work on creating some videos behind the scenes of her next album. It was an amazing experience and really solidified my love of filmmaking.

How would you describe your style?

It’s very much intuitive and leads from the heart. I have a lot of empathy for people and their stories, so sitting and listening to someone in an interview always feels like a great privilege. The more I’ve explored my creativity, the more I tend to use mediums that suit the topic, like using GoPro cameras attached to my body for my first feature film Equal the Contest.

Which other filmmakers inspire you?

I tend not to look to filmmakers or photographers for inspiration. Instead I find inspiration from friends, from listening to people’s stories, from nature and being in my garden. Mostly I’m inspired by play. I don’t like to overthink shoots.

What are some highlights from your career so far?

One of the biggest highlights has been standing at the back of the cinema at the premiere of Equal the Contest. Feeling the atmosphere of a sold out audience, getting to see all the participants laugh and cry at all the right moments, surrounded by their family and friends and knowing how proud everyone was to see their stories visible and reflected on screen. That was amazing.

How can people check out your work online?

Some of my work is on my website mdpphotovideo.com.au, and all the information about Equal the Contest is on a separate website equalthecontest.au

What are you working on now?

There’s always a lot of projects on the go. I’m just finishing up a positive ageing video and photography project for the City of Greater Bendigo. Also still taking up a lot of my time is all the screenings and panel discussions happening for Equal the Contest.

What would you say to young regional aspiring filmmakers who are thinking of making a go of the creative life?

First, learning your craft and practising over and over and over again is of course important. But equally important I would say is learning business skills. It doesn’t matter how creative you are if you can’t earn money from it. One of the most important things that set me apart from other photographers and filmmakers was not being afraid to be myself and to get clear on what I wanted to be known for. When I started out, I didn’t shy away from being visibly queer and I made it very clear I was interested in advocacy, creating social change and celebrating diversity. I attracted a lot of people who valued that about me and I’ve been able to do a lot of work that feels very meaningful over the last 20 years.