In the Frame

Riley Thompson loves to talk about movies. They spent 4 years doing just that to earn a degree in Film and Communications and have contributed reviews to local publication, VHS Tracking. Riley likes to talk about movies so much that they have been involved in the production of several independent feature films and shorts. When they’re not talking your ear off about movies, you might hear Riley on RTRFM, talking your ear off about music instead.  

Abby has returned to her birthplace of Perth having grown up in the UK and recently graduated from the University of Cambridge with degrees in French and History. She spent a year studying at the Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris and volunteered at the university’s Cinémathèque which uniquely projects films in 16mm and 35mm. Abby has had previous writing published in the student newspaper Varsity and Perth-based zine VHS Tracking. After the emerging critics program, she is looking to progress onwards to pursuing a masters degree in Film Preservation and Presentation at the University of Amsterdam in September. 

Syarisa Yasin is a Boorloo-based aspiring multimedia storyteller, filmmaker, and writer. She is passionate about bringing diverse and inclusive stories to life inspired by her Indonesian and Pakistani heritage. She aims to create work that speaks to women and femmes capturing the complexity of their lives, identities, and dreams; and she has been shortlisted for the Readers’ Choice Award in RUSSH Magazine’s 2024 Literary Showcase. Syarisa’s all-time favourite things to do include dancing, singing, and watching endless amounts of films, particularly South Asian films from Bollywood to far beyond. 

Demelza is a Canadian-Australian emerging filmmaker and writer. Growing up between two continents, informed by an array of perspectives, she began a creative writing practice to intuitively document and process these experiences. In 2023, she graduated from ECU with double degrees in Creative/Professional Writing and Screen Production. Her style encourages introspection and community connectivity, often interweaving themes of queerness, grief, and love. Through film production she intends to elevate inclusivity and visibility centring underrepresented voices. In writing, she hopes to eloquently communicate and engage in ongoing artistic and cultural conversations. As a multidisciplinary artist, she is most inspired to create via collaboration. 

Hojeswinee Kanagarajah is a Tamil-Malaysian emerging writer living in Boorloo/Perth. She is passionate about writing and the arts and loves storytelling in all forms. She was a recipient of Media Diversity Australia’s 2023 Summer Fellowship and has been involved in the Centre for Stories “Writing Change, Writing Inclusion,” and “Saga Sisterhood” programs, performing at the Blue Room Theatre. As someone raised on movies from various languages and genres, films have always been a big part of her life. She holds a special love for character-driven films exploring identity and human connections – current favourites: Meiyazhagan (2024) and Tune in for Love (2019).