Bumper crop of VCA alumni films screening at Australia’s premiere film festival
An abundance of alumni talent from the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music is currently on display in cinemas across Melbourne and the state at this year’s Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF).
The work of more than 25 graduates from the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music spanning Film and Television, Acting, Design, and Interactive Composition is represented in at least 12 films as part of MIFF’s 2025 program, including shorts, features and documentaries.
Two of the films in MIFF’s short film program, Rain Falls Still (directed by Bạch Đăng Tùng) and Pulp (directed by Sarah Hegge-Taylor), were 2024 VCA capstone projects, which form a major part of students’ curriculum. Both directors will participate in MIFF’s Accelerator Lab, a prestigious program which nurtures emerging directors on their journey towards their first long-form works.
Another short film in the program, Faceless (co-directed by alumnus Fraser Pemberton), was made with support from a 2023 VCA50 Creative Development Grant. Fraser Pemberton also jointly won the Award for Emerging Australian Filmmaker at this year's MIFF Shorts Awards for Faceless.
Speaking ahead of Accelerator Lab commencing, VCA Film and Television Honours graduate Sarah Hegge-Taylor said: “I’m so thrilled to be selected for the Melbourne International Film Festival, which was a formative film festival for me when I first moved to Melbourne and decided to pursue filmmaking. The participants in this year’s Accelerator Lab program represent an insane level of talent that I’m honoured to be considered a part of. I’m excited for what comes next for all of us.”
Bạch Đăng Tùng said: “Being invited to MIFF Accelerator Lab and having my film selected for Australia's premier film festival is a great honour. This opportunity allows me to take my firm stance as an international filmmaker in the Australian film industry, and make meaningful connections with professionals and fellow artists.”
Head of VCA Film and Television David Balfour said the sheer number of alumni involved in this year’s festival is testament to the high-quality work produced by VCA and Conservatorium graduates, both during and after their studies.
“It’s fantastic to see so many graduates making their mark at MIFF this year. From student capstone films to major festival selections, their success speaks to the creativity and collaboration honed during their time here. I congratulate them all and look forward to seeing what’s next in their journeys,” he said.
Full list of FFAM alumni and staff involved in MIFF 2025 and associated films:
Rain Falls Still (VCA capstone film 2024)
- Director: Bạch Đăng Tùng
Pulp (VCA capstone film 2024)
- Director: Sarah Hegge-Taylor
- Production Designer: Tahlia Fusca
- Costume Designer: Oliver Hall
- Producers: Carter Looker, Lucien Perry, and Sophie Somerville
- Composer: Alex Olijnyk
- Cinematographer: Nyssa Mitchell
Howl
- Writer/Director: Domini Marshall
- Producer: Josie Baynes
Stranger, Brother
- Producers: Tessa Mansfield-Hung, Josie Baynes
Faceless
- Director: Fraser Pemberton
Fwends
- Writer/Director: Sophie Somerville
- Producer: Sarah Hegge Taylor
- Cinematographer/Producer: Carter Looker
One More Shot
- Producer: Jim Wright
- Writers: Alice Foulcher, Greg Erdstein
- Production Designer: Carrie Kennedy
- Art Department: Georgia Crowley
- Costume Department: Alicia Aulsebrook, Olivia Lucia Pimpinella
Pasa Faho
- Writer/Director: Kalu Oji
- Cinematographer: Gabriel Francis
Westgate
- Script Editor: Nicholas Jacquinot
- Costume Designer: Gail Shroud
No Prior Opportunity
- Producer: Fraser Pemberton
Iron Winter
- Director: Kasimir Burgess
Journey Home, David Gulpilil
- Significant Contributor: Jack Rule
- Key Creative: Maggie Miles
The Melbourne International Film Festival is on until 24 August. The University of Melbourne is a major partner.