Torquay film internationally recognised

A TORQUAY writer and director is overjoyed with the reaction her short film is receiving following its latest acclaim at an online international film festival.

Torquay-based Flipswitch Media announced its short film Barwon Mansion was a semi-finalist at the Venice Indie Film Festival.

The award is the fourth laurel for the film since its release in June, with the film also supported by the Toronto Women’s Female Feedback Film Festival, Silk Road Cannes Film Festival and the North Bellarine Film Festival.

“I never expected this kind of success. I hoped for it, but for me, making Barwon Mansion was more for me than for the public achievements,” writer and director Mia de Rauch said.

“My main goal was to go from script to filming to seeing the film enjoyed by others.

“I wanted to bring to light women in history whose stories are not always told. While the film isn’t connected to any particular female, the location itself is a vital piece in the story.”

The film, set at National Trust Victoria’s Barwon Park Mansion in Winchelsea and inside the 1871 bluestone building, follows the post-trauma recovery of Claire (Clare Hayes).

Claire aims to find the strength to leave her unsafe environment, so she finds a space to find herself again. Barwon Mansion is that place.

Ms de Rauch wanted to explore the after effects of domestic violence through her all-female Australian cast, creating a short film to show that everyone’s needs, and way of healing, is different.

The Torquay director was also inspired by the philanthropic work of Barwon Park Mansion’s original owner, Elizabeth Austin, who founded the Austin Hospital.

“Greater Geelong has an incredible history and stories that are yet to be told,” Ms de Rauch said.

“For me, the film is not only a love story for Barwon Park Mansion in Winchelsea, it’s also a story of our past people and families that made an ongoing impact in the region.

“Barwon Mansion promotes the beauty and history of Barwon Park Mansion, Elizabeth Austin’s story on her philanthropic work for women and children, and the growing community of creatives we have in our region.”

Ms de Rauch hopes to continue the success of Barwon Mansion on an international level with the aim of not only shedding light on domestic trauma, but also the incredible Barwon Park Mansion and the Greater Geelong area.