Self-funded short film wins international acclaim

A short film about the world’s greatest mime is helping Australind filmmaker Hayden Fortescue make a name for himself on the international and domestic short film festival circuit.

Mr Fortescue’s seven-minute film ManuMarmont— which he wrote and directed — has been selected for the Healdsburg International Short Film Festival in California later this month.

It has already screened at the Rockingham Short Film Festival and the WorldKids International Short Film Festival in India earlier this year, and tells the story of a mime who must choose between keeping his silence or fulfilling a request to sing from a little girl in his audience.

The film was shot in Rockingham in February and was funded by Mr Fortescue and his family after failing to receive funding from the Film and Television Institute.

Mr Fortescue, 22, hopes having his film screened at international and local festivals will help his future career prospects.

‘‘This film is for the demographic I’m aiming for, it’s a good start to get into the children’s film industry in WA,’’ he said.

‘‘A couple of wins will help the film and get my name out there into the film industry in WA and the rest of Australia.’’

Mr Fortescue started making films in high school and has studied and worked in the industry since then.

He was the director of photography on feature film Twisted Minds, starring John Howard, earlier this year.

He has entered Manu Marmont into 23 festivals and has been shortlisted for the Forster Film Festival.