Today’s guest is Kirsty Stark, an Emmy award winning producer, start up founder, speaker, podcast host and screen industry leader. 

Kirsty’s screen credits include children’s series First Day, Stateless (co-producer for Matchbox Pictures), feature film A Month of Sundays (Madman Production Company) and ABC iview series Goober, Unboxed and Wastelander Panda.

Kirsty founded and runs independent production company Epic Films, and recently launched CrewHQ, a nationwide crewing platform for production freelancers around Australia. Kirsty is also co-host of We Interupt This Broadcast, and is Deputy Chair of The Mercury. 

In this episode, Kirsty discusses how The Mercury’s new board members helped the organisation overcome its challenges in 2022, highlighting the key strategic priorities that have elevated this beloved screen icon to new heights. Kirsty also offers practical tips for filmmakers submitting to film festivals and reflects on the differences between producing films with and without major funding from state funding bodies.

Chapters

00:05 - First Job in the Industry

01:03 - Strategies Used to Help The Mercury Overcome Challenges

03:36 - Difference Between Producing Films With vs. Without Major Funding

06:51 - Tips When Submitting to Film Festivals

08:31 - How to Handle Feedback

10:13 - Feedback on Grant Applications

12:27 - Wrap Up

If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please subscribe and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for all the updates. 

If you’d like to get involved and have specific questions for our guests, feel free to send us your questions, and we’ll look to include them in future episodes. 

Be sure to tell your friends and consider leaving us a review and rating to help spread the word.  Thanks for listening.

Submissions for AIFF26 are currently open. Enter SOFTSTICKS for 30% off the entry fee. 

The Soft Sticks Podcast is presented by the Adelaide Independent Film Festival and is hosted by Tom Kerby.

This episode was edited and mixed by Melissa Pons. You can find her latest work here. 

For more information, please visit our website or follow us on Instagram and Facebook. 

This conversation was recorded in The Mercury’s Sound Lab via Riverside. 

Not a member of Australia’s only subscription based cinema and screen industry support organisation? Sign up today via themercury.org.au/subscriptions 

About AIFF

The Adelaide Independent Film Festival (AIFF) is an annual celebration of short films, proudly presented in two beloved cinemas in the festival state of South Australia. 

The 2026 Adelaide Independent Film Festival will take place between 3 - 4 October at the heritage-listed Capri Theatre and The Mercury. 

Today’s guest is Ruth Estelle, an award-winning writer.

Ruth is part of the dynamic writing duo at Word Ninjas. She is also the Business and Media Manager for UK business, Emotion Coaching, and was previously a Development and Production Executive at The Mercury. 

Ruth has worked across a variety of formats, including TV, animation, feature films, and podcasts. She has also been a member of the Jury for the 2024 Script Swap program and will be joining the Official Selection Jury for the 2025 Adelaide Independent Film Festival. 

Wishes: Windows & Nests, a short animation co-written by Ruth, won Best Short Film Production of the Year at the 2025 Screen Producers Australia Awards. Ruth’s latest project, OK Boomer - a feature film co-written with Pete Monaghan - is due to go into production soon. 

In this episode, Ruth shares why she believes pitching is, in part, just a conversation and what she gained from her two-year mentorship with story consultant, Michael Hauge. Ruth also discusses what screenwriters should prioritise when seeking development funding from Screen Australia or state funding bodies like the South Australian Film Corporation.

If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please subscribe and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for all the updates. 

If you’d like to get involved and have specific questions for our guests, feel free to send us your questions, and we’ll look to include them in future episodes. 

Be sure to tell your friends and consider leaving us a review and rating to help spread the word.  Thanks for listening. 

The Soft Sticks Podcast is presented by the Adelaide Independent Film Festival and is hosted by Tom Kerby.

For more information, please visit our website.

This conversation was recorded in The Mercury’s Sound Lab. 

Not a member of Australia’s only subscription based cinema and screen industry support organisation? Sign up today via themercury.org.au/subscriptions 

About AIFF

The Adelaide Independent Film Festival (AIFF) is an annual celebration of short films, proudly presented in two beloved cinemas in the festival state of South Australia. 

Today’s guest is Carlos Manrique Clavijo, a Screen Producers Australia award winning animation creative producer and sound designer. 

Carlos is also the co-founder of Karu-Karu Animations and serves as the South Australian Representative of the Australian Screen Sound Guild. He has also been a member of the Jury for the Adelaide Independent Film Festival. 

Carlos' latest short film, Wishes: Windows & Nests, recently won Best Short Film Production of the Year at the 2025 Screen Producers Australia Awards.

In this episode, Carlos discusses what filmmakers should prioritise when seeking development or production funding from Screen Australia or state funding bodies like the South Australian Film Corporation. Carlos explains why he views his colleagues as mentors and encourages filmmakers to see rejection as an opportunity for self-development.

If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please subscribe and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for all the updates. 

If you’d like to get involved and have specific questions for our guests, feel free to send us your questions, and we’ll look to include them in future episodes. 

Be sure to tell your friends and consider leaving us a review and rating to help spread the word.  Thanks for listening. 

The Soft Sticks Podcast is presented by the Adelaide Independent Film Festival and is hosted by Tom Kerby.

For more information, please visit our website.

This conversation was recorded in The Mercury’s Sound Lab. 

Not a member of Australia’s only subscription based cinema and screen industry support organisation? Sign up today via themercury.org.au/subscriptions 

About AIFF

The Adelaide Independent Film Festival (AIFF) is an annual celebration of short films, proudly presented in two beloved cinemas in the festival state of South Australia. 

Today’s guest is Al Cossar, the Artistic Director of the Melbourne International Film Festival. 

Al discusses what inspired him to pursue a career in the film industry and how he got started. Al highlights what filmmakers should focus on when submitting their short films to academy-accredited festivals, such as MIFF, and explains how MIFF Industry functions within the Australian film industry. 

The Melbourne International Film Festival takes place between 7 - 24 August 2025. Early Bird passes are on sale now until 31 May 2025. More information can be found at miff.com.au 

If you enjoyed today’s conversation, please subscribe and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for all the updates. 

If you’d like to get involved and have specific questions for our guests, feel free to send us your questions, and we’ll look to include them in future episodes. 

Be sure to tell your friends and consider leaving us a review and rating to help spread the word.  Thanks for listening. 

The Soft Sticks Podcast is presented by the Adelaide Independent Film Festival and is hosted by Tom Kerby.

For more information, please visit our website.

This conversation was recorded in The Mercury’s Sound Lab via Riverside. 

Not a member of Australia’s only subscription based cinema and screen industry support organisation? Sign up today via themercury.org.au/subscriptions 

About AIFF

The Adelaide Independent Film Festival (AIFF) is an annual celebration of short films, proudly presented in two beloved cinemas in the festival state of South Australia. 

Welcome to The Soft Sticks Podcast, presented by The Adelaide Independent Film Festival! We speak with industry leaders to empower filmmakers as they navigate the ever-evolving film industry landscape. Hear from artistic directors at prestigious film festivals, along with award-winning screenwriters, producers, sound designers, directors, animators and more!

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for all the updates. 

For more information, head to our website or email us your questions.