Murray Enders is a filmmaker born and raised in the Snowy Mountains of NSW, in a town called Jindabyne. He developed a keen interest in filmmaking during high school when he collaborated with friends to create VFX films that gained recognition online. This passion led him to pursue a degree in Media Arts & Production at the University of Canberra. Murray's educational background expanded his skills and nurtured his love for directing. As part of his journey, he studied under Elissa Down for 'The Directors Journey' advanced directing course at AFTRS, which provided valuable insights and further honed his directing abilities.
Throughout his filmmaking career, Murray has focused on creating micro-budget short films with Filmonik Melbourne. This endeavour allows him to explore new genres, develop his skill set, and find his unique voice as a filmmaker. He gravitates towards genres such as Action, Thriller, and Science Fiction, but has recently embraced the idea of weaving strong messages into his films, aligning with his values of anti-capitalism, environmental sustainability, and veganism.
Although Murray hasn't heavily pursued film festivals in the past, he has received recognition for his work. He was a Runner Up at the Focus On Ability Film Festival and won the People's Choice Award at the Australian Fashion Film Awards. Some of Murray's notable projects include "Different Things," an unreleased short film, as well as "Not Diggin' It" (2023), "Stingray" (2022), "The Setup" (2021), "The Sharehouse of Horrors" (2020), and "The Blue Man" (2019).
Murray's directorial style is collaborative, and he values working with talented heads of department to bring his vision to life. He has had the opportunity to collaborate with well-known industry professionals, particularly during his time studying under Elissa Down in 2020. Additionally, he gained valuable experience working on feature films such as "The BBQ," "The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee," and "Lilith," where he contributed in various roles ranging from PA to 4th AD, Art Department, and Unit Stills.
One of the significant challenges Murray has overcome is self-financing his films, choosing not to rely on grants or external funding. He aspires to be self-sufficient as a creative and aims to elevate his abilities with external financing when the time is right. Murray has also actively participated in community projects through his involvement with Filmonik, the Melbourne chapter of the worldwide Kino movement. This collaborative platform allows him to engage in regular short film productions without competition, fostering a sense of community and shared creativity.
Murray's storytelling and creative vision are influenced by personal moments of introspection and the impact of art and nature. While his cinematic inspiration stems from big-budget blockbusters, it is the quieter, more reflective moments that shape his best ideas. With a desire for a long and successful career in making international blockbuster movies, Murray aims to create films that leave a lasting impression on audiences. For him, true success lies in the connections formed with individuals who find joy in his work, whether it's a child playing with an action figure from one of his movies, an aspiring filmmaker inspired by his work, or a film enthusiast cherishing a physical copy of his film on their shelf. Murray Enders is poised to make a lasting mark in the world of cinema.