Young filmmaker making a 'sweet difference'

Nov 23, 2004

The last few months of UOW journalism student, Farnaz Fanaian's, life has been spent inspiring harmony and encouraging ethnic youth to embrace their diversity.

Not the easiest job in the world -- however her efforts have been rewarded.

Farnaz's 10-minute short film “Sweet Differences” deals with the struggle between balancing traditional culture and heritage with Western life, in attempt to create harmony. The film tells the story of a Spanish boy growing up in Australia and has compelled the judges of the Australian Baha'i Harmony Film Festival to award Farnaz the top prize - Best Film.

“It's the first time I've ever made a film and it was a mind-blowing experience,” she said. “I can't believe I won the prize, it's just incredible.”

Using simple filming and editing techniques and an even 'simpler' budget, Farnaz and her 40-person crew epitomised the film's message.

“It was such a harmonious and unified effort,” Farnaz said. “Shooting a film with so many wonderful people and then piecing it together and watching it flow is an amazing experience.”

“The last week of editing was intense,” she said. “I got 12 hours sleep in seven days… coffee and chocolate were necessities!” she joked.

Farnaz's Persian heritage and experiences growing up in Kiama inspired the film, which was shown to over a thousand people at the screening in Sydney.

“Just being one of the final 15 and knowing that all those people would be watching my film was enough for me, but when my name was called out as the winner, time literally froze,” she remembered.

Farnaz has completed her Master of Journalism at UOW in the last few weeks, and is now concentrating on visiting local high schools and screening her latest documentary entitled 'Coloured Visions', based on Year 12 students who studied the Australian film, Rabbit Proof Fence -- the true story by Doris Pilkington about three Aboriginal girls' journey to find home after they are taken from their parents.

“I've documented how teenagers have changed their opinions and thoughts through their study of the stolen generations and the indigenous community. I want to show that we can overcome the hurt of the past and move towards reconciliation,” she said.

Farnaz said that her win has given her strength and courage, and helped her to realise that some of her many celluloid dreams may one day become reality.

-RP