BROADCAST DOCS

When the stars align we embrace the chance to create long form documentary. See some of our self-directed films below.

BAREFOOT IN ETHIOPIA

Kyra always wanted to save the world. When she left high school, she inspired her brother, her partner and her friend to raise $12,000 to build a health clinic in the Ethiopian desert. She soon realises that building a clinic won't save the world. So what next?

Rebelling against the aid machine, Kyra decides to do things her own way. Her brother, Aidan is also in on the plan. The film follows Kyra and Aidan for the next 4 years as they struggle with the reality of starting their own aid organisation. Kyra wants to genuinely connect with the community and Aidan wants to give it a crack: "We are young and a bit frivolous, but that's all part of the learning curve..."

Filmed & Directed by Sieh Mchawala
Produced by Jeni Lee
Edited by David Banbury, Jeni Lee and Sieh Mchawala
Sound Edit/Mix by Russell Alexander
Original Music by Sands Johal and Tom Harrer

MAGIC HARVEST

Many suburbs are built on former farmland. In the suburbs of Adelaide, locals arm themselves with garden forks and kitchen knives to put that land to good use, pioneering a backyard revolution one square metre at a time. It's an idea as simple as it is radical as it is inspirational...

Inspired by Lolo Houbein's One Magic Square concept and under the guidance of grower Tori Moreton, in this inspiring film residents of Adelaide's southern suburbs create a food plot in one square metre of their own gardens, harvesting it through the seasons and sharing the bounty in their community. Starring Lolo Houbein, Tori Moreton and the residents of Huntfield Heights and Aberfoyle Park.

Directed by Jeni Lee
Produced by Julia De Roeper
Camera by Sieh Mchawala
Edited by David Ngo
Sound Edit/Mix by Russell Alexander
Featuring Music by Golonka,
Caliente Guitar Trio and Sia Furler

IT’S NO CIRCUS IN CAMBODIA

Australia's dodgiest circus attempts to drive from Singapore to Ireland -in a double decker bus. What could possibly go wrong?

En route the circus gets waylaid in the south of Cambodia, where they teach circus skills to a very spirited group of streetkids - ultimately proving to themselves that the journey is far more important than the destination... Starring Lunar Circus and the children of M’Lop Tapang.

Directed & filmed by Jeni Lee
Produced by Rebecca Summerton and Jeni Lee
Edited by David Ngo
Sound Edit/Mix by Scott Illington
Original Music by The Von Trolley Quartet

CASUALTIES OF WAR

Casualties of War tells the story of Leigh, a Special Forces soldier who served with the Australian Army in East Timor. Leigh believes that the hardest part of going to war is coming home.

One year after Leigh returned from East Timor he reached breaking point and left the army. It is only now, 4 years later, that he feels able to speak out about the realities of being a solider.

There is a world of silence that sits between those who have seen unspeakable acts of violence and those who have not. Casualties of War takes the audience on a journey to transcend that silence by exploring the losses shouldered by soldiers and their families in the wake of war.

Filmed and directed by Jeni Lee
Produced by Sarah Wishart and Rebecca Summerton
Edited by Tania Nehme
Music by Tom Harrer
Sound mix by Best FX

WEB DOCS

We love online platforms! Tailor-made online platforms give local content a global reach.

BUT WE ARE STRONG

War began in Sierra Leone in 1991 when an armed rebel group, the Revolutionary United Front, began a campaign against the President, capturing towns along the borders to Liberia and Guinea. During the eleven years of war, children in Sierra Leone were severely affected. The roles and struggles of young girls during the war have not been widely acknowledged. Many were abducted by rebel groups during attacks on their towns or villages and forced to directly participate as frontline fighters, cooks, spies and sex slaves. The war was officially declared over in 2002 following UN intervention and the disarmament of 45,000 fighters. But We Are Strong tells the untold stories of 5 young women who survived. The films were commissioned by Save the Children UK. For sales please contact Ronin films.

Produced and directed by Jeni Lee and Sarah Wishart
Camera by Jeni Lee
Edited by Bryan Mason
Sound by Best fx

BIG STORIES SMALL TOWNS

Big Stories Small Towns is an evolving multi-platform documentary project first launched in 2008 and produced by Big Stories Co. The project features collaborations between small town communities and filmmakers in residence. It is shaped through extensive local consultation and participation, to create stories made by both filmmakers and community members -full of love, humour, family and belonging. Far from tales of rural dysfunction and decay, Big Stories focuses on those caring for and creating their own community. From the Longriders in Murray Bridge, the Ngarrindjeri community of Raukkan on the shores of Lake Alexandrina, the Men's Shed in Port Augusta and the Tampuon people of Ban Lung on the edge of the jungle in Northern Cambodia, Big Stories aims to connect local stories to build a diverse and inspiring global portrait of country life. Carousel media were film makers in residence for the project in Port Augusta, Murray Bridge, Raukkan and Coober Pedy. See examples of the Longriders Christian Motorcycle Club in Murray Bridge, the Wami Kata old folks home, the Men’s Shed and the young fathers group in Port Augusta, and our collection of films from Coober Pedy and Raukkan.

Produced by Anna Grieve and Martin Potter

YOUNG MUMS

Young Mums is an online resource and participatory video project. A team of filmmakers met with a group of young mums from Adelaide, South Australia, once a week for 3 months. As a result of these meetings 4 films were created. These films allowed the young women to tell their stories and experiences from their own perspectives.

Directed by Jeni Lee and Sarah Wishart