Experiencing Interruptions?

home, is.

A night of trespassing for two teenage boys turns into a search for something more than just a place to belong.

  • Joshua Buchwald
    Director
  • Joshua Buchwald
    Writer
  • Karina Pancuka
    Producer
  • Jake Walker
    Key Cast
    "Harry"
  • Mark Merco
    Key Cast
    "Benji"
  • Connor Burns
    Cinematographer
  • Julian Finlay
    Editor
  • Nick Stopic
    Sound Design
  • Isabelle Rose
    Music Composer
  • Keyside
    Special Thanks
  • Radu Dumitru
    Special Thanks
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Coming of age
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes 24 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 11, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    6,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of Technology
Director Biography - Joshua Buchwald

Josh is an aspiring writer, director, and multi-talented creative. With roots in music composition and post-production magic, he found freedom in film and focuses on realism to evoke the raw, universal emotions of the human condition. Currently studying a dual degree in Media Arts and Production, Journalism, and Innovations at UTS, Josh is passionate about writing, directing, and editing. His goal is simple: to keep creating, to make people smile, and to keep stirring emotions.

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Director Statement

The initial spark for home, is. came from a night out with a friend, pondering a simple yet profound question: What is home? Is it a place, or a person? This story explores those moments in our friendships when feelings are unbalanced—where one person loves deeply, and the other grapples with the delicate act of holding the friendship together.

Creating this film became an outlet for many of my feelings and experiences, channeling them into a story that captures both my passion for filmmaking and my deep appreciation for the people around me. Benji and Harry, the two main characters, represent a duality of emotions: Benji embodies sensitivity, while Harry reflects a confident, perhaps ignorant, resilience. Together, they mirror the complex parts of ourselves that we bring into relationships. I chose to focus on a single, fleeting moment in Benji and Harry’s friendship because these small snapshots in time often define who we are. We don’t know who they were before this, and we don’t know what happens next. It was important, as well, to make this story universal, as I believe these emotions are something everyone, regardless of background or gender, can relate to. The characters happened to emerge as two teenage boys, but the feelings they grapple with could belong to anyone.

Ultimately, I am so proud of the narrative, the themes, the music, and the technical achievements in this film. But above all, I am proud of my crew and the sense of "home" I found in them. My hope is that the film resonates with viewers and leaves them considering their own answer to the question: Is home a place, or a person?