Under the Water

When an eleven-year-old girl is confronted with misogynistic taunts and violence from the boys in her town, a series of strange happenings lead to her revisit a storybook about the sirens of the sea. Inspired by these creatures, she finds the power in herself to push back.

SCREENINGS
Official Selection, Flickerfest 33rd International Short Film Festival, 2024 (Premiere)
Official Selection, Wench Film Festival, 2025
Official Selection, Dunedin International Film Festival, 2025
Official Selection, Chicago Women’s Film Fest, 2024
Official Selection, The Australia Independent Film Festival, 2024
Official Selection, Milan Indie Film Festival, 2024 (Winner: Best Women Empowerment Film)
Official Selection, Women in Film and Television, Cyprus, 2024
Official Selection, Australia Independent Film Festival, 2024 (Nomination: Best Student Film)
Official Selection, The Bay International Film Festival, 2024 (Winner: Best Student Film, Nomination: Best Music)
Official Selection, Cyprus International Film Festival, 2024
Official Selection, Montreal Women Film Festival, 2024
Official Selection, Atlanta Women’s Film Festival, 2024 (Nomination: Best Cinematography)
Official Selection, Los Angeles Women in Film Festival, 2024
Official Selection, Toronto International Women Film Festival, 2024
Semi-Finalist, Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival, 2023

AWARDS
Nomination: Best Student Film, Australian Directors Guild, 2024
Winner: Best Student Film, Nomination: Best Music, The Bay International Film Festival, 2024
Winner: Best Student Film, Chicago Women’s Film Festival, 2024
Winner: Best Women Empowerment Film, Milan Indie Film Festival, 2024
Nomination: Best Cinematography, Atlanta Women’s Film Festival, 2024
Nomination: Best Student Film, Australia Independent Film Festival, 2024


On Under the Water, 51% of the cast and crew identified as female, non-binary or gender diverse.

CAST + CREW
Olivia: Tahlia Sturzaker
Father: Ben Brock
Mother: Stephanie Begg
Boys at the kiosk: Jack Ruwald, Nile Sturzaker
Kiosk vendor: Brendan Miles
Boys in the car: Michael Hawkins, Jeremi Campese, Noah Sturzaker
Mother on the beach: Payal Patel
Daughter on the beach: Sophie Patel
Voice: Eleanor Stankiewicz

Director: Isabella Andronos
Writers: Isabella Andronos, Rebecca Thompson
Producers: Katherine Shearer, Sasha Dyer, Isabella Andronos
Cinematographer: Meredith Williams
Production & Costume Designer: Roberto Manzini
Editor: Amy Dunn
Music: Hamish Francis
Sound Supervisor: Samuel Turner
First Assistant Camera: James Blackley
Second Assistant Camera: Tom Cheetham
Underwater Cinematographer: Caleb Graham
First Assistant Director: David Burrowes
Second Assistant Director: Nadine Torney
Production Manager: Bianca Sappey
Sound Recordist: Martin Demian
Boom Operator: Dante Florez
Script Editor: Sarah Emery
Continuity: Evie Allison
Gaffer: Josh Wiggins
Grip: Lester Bishop, Morgan Bishop
Best Person: Max Norington, Felix Maude, Joe Finsterer
Grip Assistant: Jonathan Le Grice
Runner: Joe Finsterer
Standby Props: Ara Nuri Steel, Courtney Westbrook, Luka Yates
Art Department Assistants: Jacqueline Chapman, Miranda Daughtry, Ruby Swain, Ricky James, Emily Bull, Madison Hegarty
Storybook Illustrator: Isabella Andronos
Storybook Cover Design: Jacqueline Chapman
Digital Artist: Roberto Manzini
Storybook Writers: Fabia Andronos, Joshua Krone
Hair and Make Up Artist: Miabella Enriquez
Risk Assessment: Jon Heaney
Stunt Co-Ordinator: Jon Heaney
Safety Officer: Jon Heaney
Water Safety Advisor: Jemma Craig
Lifeguard: North Curl Curl SLSC
Stills Photographer: Lauren Orrell
VFX: Anthony McGann, Joel Goodman, Elliot Goodman
Colourist: Yanni Kronenberg
Titles and Graphics: Elle Williams
Foley Artist: Samuel Turner, Jayden Whitbread
Re-Recording Mixer: Samuel Turner
Music Recording Engineer: Greg Wise
Music Mix Engineer: Rose Mackenzie-Peterson
Atmos Mix Technician: Alexander Roberts
Vocalist: Naomi Geste

Official Website
Press Kit