AFTER more than a decade in the film industry, Cowaramup resident Carol Seeley has achieved what she describes as the highlight of her career.
Ms Seeley’s first co-produced film has not only featured in the Sydney Film Festival in June but won Best Australian Documentary at the event.
“This film means more to me than any other I have worked on and I hold it close in my heart,” she said.
The documentary, 35 Letters is an intimate story that is driven by the contents of Angelique Flowers’ final letters to her pregnant sister, Michelle.
“It is an emotional story which has a way of really connecting with people,” Ms Seeley said.
The documentary took years to develop and complete.
During that time Ms Seeley said a great rapport was built with the participants which was reflected in the personal nature of the film.
The film was mostly privately funded through the Documentary Australia Foundation.
“Thank you to all the generous people who helped us make this courageous film,” she said.
Ms Seeley said the film featuring in the Sydney Film Festival was a wonderful surprise because it had been selected whilst still at the rough cut stage (without the graphics and animation).
“I was in South Australia when I got the call to say they wanted to include the film in the festival so it was a chaotic time to get everything finished in time. I sat in the audience and it was such a buzz to see the enthusiastic reactions,” she said.
“When the film finished the room was silent, everyone just sat there and watched all of the credits and then there was a huge applause – it was amazing. I was overwhelmed and speechless. It made all the hard work worthwhile.”
Now Ms Seeley has big plans for her biggest success story with the hope of it reaching the television screen and international festivals.