Private Project

Ran

Recently arrived in Australia, Ran wants to get ahead but frustrated by a lack of opportunity, he finds himself drawn into a world of crime and violence. ‘Ran’ provides an insight into the issues facing many young people in the Australian African community.

  • Kiko Wayne Jr
    Director
  • Kiko Wayne Jr
    Writer
  • Dave Kelman
    Producer
  • Bluebird Foundation
    Producer
  • Kiko Wayne Jr
    Key Cast
    "Ran"
  • Thalual Khat Marwang
    Key Cast
    "Domach"
  • Gatdoar Mach
    Key Cast
    "Chalok"
  • Duol Yang
    Key Cast
    "Thon"
  • Benj Binks
    Cinematography
  • Benj Binks
    Editing
  • Steven Bond
    Sound Recordist
  • Baraka the Kid
    Hip Hop
  • Depo On Da Beat
    Hip Hop
  • Callum Watson
    Original Piano Score
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 19 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 1, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Bluebird Foundation
  • Geelong Indepedent Film Festival
    Geelong
    Australia
    April 21, 2023
    Australian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Victorian Multicultural Film Festival
    Melbourne
    Australia
    August 29, 2023
    Official Selection, Finalist Emerging Filmmaker
  • Melbourne Lift-Off Film Festival
    Melbourne
    Australia
    November 19, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Changing Face International Film Festival
    Sydney
    Australia
    December 21, 2023
    Honorable Mention
Distribution Information
  • SBS On Demand
    Distributor
    Country: Australia
    Rights: Video on Demand
Director Biography - Kiko Wayne Jr

Kiko Wayne Jr, 23, came to Australia from Ethiopia in 2018. When he arrived in the regional city of Geelong he couldn’t speak English but he went to school and began to learn the language. Joining a community theatre program to improve his English inspired a dream of becoming a writer and actor. In 2019 he wrote his first short play which became part of North Youth Theatre’s production, ‘Waiting for Something Better’. Kiko developed a passion for writing his own stories inspired by tales from back home and was integral to the writing and performing of North Youth Theatre’s successful show, ‘Maps of the Heart’ in 2022. Drawing on his personal experiences and observations of life in a regional city, ‘Ran’ is his writing and directorial film debut.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

“I grew up around my grandfather who was a great storyteller, and he also inspired me to be a storyteller. I decided to tell my stories through the screen. My plan is to make more short films to raise the awareness of deaths, violence and other challenges that my people are facing.”

“It was great to collaborate on this short film with Benj Binks, who is a highly experienced filmmaker. I want to see more African filmmakers stand up and tell their stories on-screen.”

"The film is named after the lead character, Ran. I chose not to provide English subtitles for the small amounts of Nuer dialogue between Ran and his father. My community will understand what is being said and for those that do not speak Nuer, I think that while the intent and emotion of what is being said is very clear, it gives them a tiny window into how it feels to be excluded when you speak a different language to those around you."