Earlier this year, Gerringong Pics and Flicks advertised a scholarship for young directors interested in learning more about the filmmaking world. The scholarship included $1,000, with $960 allocated for short courses at the Australian Film, Radio and Television School (AFTRS). The recipients of the scholarship, Regan Anderson and Lleyton Hughes, were interviewed by Bernie Hems at Kiama Community Radio, although due to conflicting schedules, the interviews took place a week apart.

Regan is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Communications in Media, majoring in Screen Production at the University of Wollongong (UOW). She also brings an extensive background in film, photography, screenwriting, stage writing, and acting.

“Her project is a comedic short film that showcases the South Coast lifestyle from a young adult’s perspective,” Bernie explained, summarizing their interview. While comedy can be a challenging genre to master, Regan is approaching it with confidence and skill.

Lleyton Hughes interviewed by Bernie Hems on Kiama Community Radio

Lleyton, a familiar face to The Bugle and Kiama Community Radio, studied Journalism and Creative Writing at UOW before heading to Los Angeles for film classes.

“I had a great time—it didn’t even feel like I was at school,” Lleyton recalled about his time in LA. “Unfortunately, I could only stay for three months because of COVID.”

When asked what motivated him to apply for the scholarship, Lleyton explained that he had always wanted to check out Pics and Flicks but had been unable to due to his sports commitments. When he heard about the scholarship on their Facebook page, he saw it as a perfect opportunity to further his filmmaking knowledge.

“To have the chance to learn at a school in Sydney with the people they have there is amazing. It would be great for my development,” Lleyton said.

When Bernie asked about his project, Lleyton shared that he wanted to make a film about a boxer. “I recently did a half Ironman, and during the training, I found myself asking, ‘Why do we do this?’ There were days when I didn’t train, and I’d feel guilty,” Lleyton explained. “Why do we feel the need to earn rest? Why do we have to do something big to earn relaxation? That got me thinking about boxing.”

Lleyton sees boxing as a powerful metaphor for pushing yourself to the limit, with no breaks or relaxation. He cited Mike Tyson’s recent fight against Jake Paul and Tyson’s attitude of never wanting to stop fighting, no matter the hardship.

“I want to explore that mindset in my film,” Lleyton said. Through research—particularly reading about Muhammad Ali’s life—and stepping into the ring himself for two training sessions, Lleyton gained a deeper understanding of the mental and physical demands of a fighter.

“I couldn’t believe how much goes into it. There’s so much technique, so much to think about. It’s more than just a fight,” he said. “I’ve tried to make a film before, but it was a mess. It was a good learning experience, but I’m so grateful for the opportunity to learn and improve through this scholarship.”

Regan and Lleyton’s films are expected to be completed by May 2025 and will be screened at Gerringong Pics and Flicks.