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Kindling

During a road trip through rural Australia, a young girl gradually uncovers a startling truth: her mother is looting houses which have been abandoned due to a rapidly approaching bushfire.

  • Jack Zimmerman
    Director
  • Archie Hancock
    Director
  • Jack Zimmerman
    Writer
    THE KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (Runner)
  • Archie Hancock
    Writer
  • Mitch Seljanovski
    Producer
    MAD MAX: FURIOSA (Runner)
  • Giorgia Stawaruk
    Producer
    ELVIS (Production Secretary)
  • Catherine Mazur
    Key Cast
    "Annie"
  • Gabriella Hirschson
    Key Cast
    "Sunday "
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 50 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 17, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Revelation Perth International Film Festival
    Perth
    Australian Premiere
    (AACTA Qualifying)
  • Cannes Indie Shorts Awards
    Cannes
    France
    Not screened due to wanting to maintain premiere status
    Semi-Finalist
  • Berlin Indie Film Festival
    Berlin
    Germany
    Not screened due to wanting to maintain premiere status
    Official Selection
  • Brisbane Indie Film Festival
    Brisbane
    Australia
    Not screened due to wanting to maintain premiere status
    Official Selection
  • Sparrowland Film Festival
  • Oz Indie Film Festival
Director Biography - Jack Zimmerman, Archie Hancock

Archie Hancock and Jack Zimmerman are filmmakers and founders of Tally Productions, an independent production company based in Sydney. The pair’s debut short film “kindling” (2023) garnered widespread festival recognition, doing the circuit at a mix of AACTA qualifying and international film festivals. The pair also have years of experience working on and off set including: in development at Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine, in writers rooms for Screen NSW supported projects, and on set for blockbuster movies like “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” Currently, the pair are in post-production on two upcoming shorts, while Jack also works in development at Wooden Horse.

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Director Statement

During the 2019 Black Summer Bushfires which ravaged rural Australia, Archie received an urgent call from his mother. A fast-approaching fire threatened their family home in the country and without a moment's hesitation, he rushed back to help his parents pack up. While his property was saved by local firefighters, some of their neighbours were not so lucky.

As the fires surrendered, sobering reports emerged – homes in affected areas had been broken into by people from the city who sought to take advantage of these evacuated properties. Archie was left to wonder; in what circumstances must someone be in, to commit a crime against families who already stand to lose so much?

Archie, having grown up in the country and seeing firsthand the devastating effects of climate change on the agricultural community, was driven to spotlight the escalating threat of bushfires not only in Australia but around the world. Together, the two saw an opportunity to tell the story from an unconventional perspective – that of the looter. "Kindling" offers a lesson in perspective, breaking away from simplistic stereotypes to portray complex characters navigating uniquely challenging circumstances.

The project fused Archie's intimate connection to the crisis, Jack’s aspiration to challenge perceptions, and their united goal to raise global awareness about the growing prevalence of bushfires.