DIRECTING | SCREENWRITING | PRODUCING

Frances | Short Film

Frances, a resilient and hardworking woman is faced with the daunting task of finding a new home in a fiercely competitive market after her rental property is put up for short-term holiday accommodation. Navigating the aftermath of a recent divorce, paired with an unwillingness to be separated from her beloved dog, Frances' pride becomes both a shield and an obstacle, as she finds herself secretly residing in the back of her small car.

“FRANCES serves as a poignant exploration of the pervasive housing crisis that has gripped our society. Going beyond mere statistics, the film endeavors to shatter preconceived notions about homelessness and directs attention to the alarming reality that anyone, regardless of their background, can find themselves facing the harsh uncertainties of housing instability. Through Frances' journey, the film serves as a powerful commentary on the importance of dismantling stereotypes surrounding homelessness, urging viewers to confront the harsh realities faced by individuals who unexpectedly find themselves on the fringes of society's housing crisis.”

- Screen Illawarra

With the screenplay written by Jack Michel, this story was developed alongside director/producer Sharon Lewis and cinematographer/producer Richard Jones. This film is currently playing on the film festival circuit.

Written by: Jack Michel

Directed by: Sharon Lewis

Produced by: Richard Jones and Sharon Lewis

Cinematography by: Richard Jones

Original Score by: Brent Williams

Sound Design by: Matt Richardson

Starring: Juliet Scrine

Additional Cast: Tahlia Crinis, Nick Bolton, Laura Whalan

Festivals:

Nominee - Montreal Women Film Festival 2024

Semi-Finalist - Australian Independent Film Festival 2024

Nominee - Toronto International Women Film Festival 2024

WINNER - Best Cinematography - International Short Cinema Festival 2024

WINNER - Best Short Film 20-40 minutes - International Short Cinema Festival 2024

WINNER - Best Australian Film - Titan Film Festival 2024

Official Selection - Miami Women Film Festival 2024

WINNER - Best Female Actress - New York Film & Female Actress Award 2024

WINNER - Best Indie Short - New York Film & Female Actress Award 2024

Official Selection - Sydney Women's International Film Festival 2025

Frances | Official Trailer

Diamonds & Rust | Short Screenplay

It's Australia, 1970's. Musician, Annie, reunites in secret with her former love and co-songwriter, Jack, at a hidden coastal beach house. Inspired by the Joan Baez song of the same name, this is an Australian portrayal of love, life, of the paths on which we find ourselves... and the ones we find our way back to.

With a story developed alongside friends and collaborators Andrea Joshua and actress, Ani Priyo, Diamonds & Rust is a screenplay written by Jack Michel. It was a semi-finalist in the London International Screenwriting Competition in 2022, and a part of the official selection in Melbourne Lift-Off Film Festival 2022 - winning the script the award for Best Screenplay.

Screenplay by: Jack Michel

Story by: Andrea Joshua, Jack Michel, and Ani Priyo

Festivals:

Semi-Finalist - London International Screenwriting Festival 2022

WINNER - Best Screenplay - Melbourne Lift-Off Film Festival 2022

The Price Of Chewing Gum | Short

Two unassuming locals, Tilly and Shamus, sit inside a car, outside a petrol station, which they are about to rob... with a toy gun. But what's the plan? An Australian dark-comedy short film, written and directed by Jack Michel.

Written and Directed by: Jack Michel

Producers: Adrian Ortega and Jack Michel

Director of Photography: Anthony Koreny

Sound Recordist: Jack McCullock

Sound Designer: Daniel McCullock

Starring: Jess Kennedy, Jack Michel and Roy Barker

Festival Awards:

Semi-Finalist - HollyShorts Screenplay Competition 2020

Winner BEST SCREENPLAY - Melbourne Lift-Off Screenplay Competition 2020

Honourable Mention - London Monthly International Screenwriting Competition 2021

Award Of Excellence Special Mention - The IndieFEST Film Awards 2022

Official Selection - Melbourne Lift-Off Film Festival 2022

Official Selection - Sydney Lift-Off Film Festival 2022

The Price Of Chewing Gum | Watch Full Film

Lucky Boy. | Miniseries Pilot Episode

Meg, early 20's, is forced to face bleak circumstance as her love, Boyden, is diagnosed with an acute cancerous neurofibroma, growing steadily at the base of his jawline. With only a short time to ready themselves, Meg and Boy prepare for a surgery that could have debilitating consequences.

Written and Created by: Meg Spencer

Directed by: Jack Michel

Produced by: Adrian Ortega, Jack Michel and Meg Spencer

Cinematography by: Anthony Koreny

Production Designer: Erin Mackellin

Edited by: Jack Michel

Original Score: Jack Michel

Additional Music by: Private Life

Colourist: Daniel Witt

Visual Effects: Isaac Dennis Bowen

Sound Recordist: Jack McCulloch

Sound Designer: Daniel McCulloch Camera

Starring: Meg Spencer and Lucas Pittaway

Executive Produced by: Jack Michel, Adrian Ortega and Meg Spencer

Festivals:

Official Selection - Melbourne Lift-Off Film Festival 2022

Official Selection - Sydney Lift-Off Film Festival 2022

LUCKY BOY. | Watch Full Episode

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Intrusion | Short

A young man documents a terrifying home invasion.

Intrusion | Watch Full Film

In 2013, Jack directed and produced his directorial debut short film, the suspense/horror/thriller, Intrusion, which won him “Best First Time Director” in TopShorts Online Film Festival 2017.

Intrusion was made without a crew - having been shot, edited, sound designed and created entirely by himself; and was produced, entirely, on a budget of $11.50.

The film has been featured and praised on internationally acclaimed short film websites such as Short Of The Week and Film Shortage and has played in international film festivals such as A Night of Horror at Dendy Newtown in Sydney and Fantasmagorical Film Festival - a part of Comic-Con in the United States. Intrusion has also been shared and reviewed on multiple blogs, one in particular titled “The Top 7 Scariest Short Films Online”.

In 2018, Jack was delighted when it was the only short film to be featured as the opening pre-show for the annual 24 hour Horror Movie Marathon at the historic Astor Theatre in Melbourne. And in 2024 was given a five star feature review on acclaimed short film website Short Films Matter.

Written, directed and produced by: Jack Michel

Starring: Jack Michel, Daniel Frawley, Charlotte Connor & Amy Ralston (Swan).

Festivals/Awards:

Feature / Official Selection - Short Of The Week 2014

WINNER - Best First Time Director - TopShorts Online Film Festival 2017

Official Selection - A Night Of Horror International Film Festival 2015

Official Selection - Fantastmagorical Film Festival (Comic-Con U.S.) 2015.

Featured On:

Short Of The Week

Film Shortage

Short Films Matter

All Night Gaming | Feature

A teenage slacker has only one night to finish a major English assignment, his grades depends on it. He is forced to finish the work over night at a local Internet cafe where he encounters gamers, nocturnal goth-ghouls and drunken Clubbers.

In 2010, aged 21, Jack teamed up with animator/creator Michael Cusack (aged 19) - now of Stan. series“Yolo: Crystal Fatasy”, ABC’s “Koala Man” and Adult Swim’s “Smiling Friends” - to produce Michael’s directorial debut, live-action feature, All Night Gaming. This indie dark-comedy epic, set in Wollongong, Australia, was created with Jack in the leading role, as the unmotivated high schooler, Jamie, and as Co-Producer, alongside Michael and sound engineer/composer, Brendan Caulfield.

Although this film has garnered much interest from the online community, an official release was never made until the COVID 19 lockdown, when Jack, Michael and Brendan decided to do a silent free release of the film online, for those at home during the crisis.

Written and directed by: Michael Cusack

Produced by: Michael Cusack, Jack Michel & Brendan Caulfield

Cinematography by: Richard Jones & Sharon Lewis

Music composed and recorded by: Brendan Caulfield

Additional music by: Todor Manojlovic & Michael Cusack

Starring: Jack Michel

All Night Gaming | Trailer

All Night Gaming | Watch Full Film

Made in association with Gillsberry Films, Glub Vibrations, Immersion Imagery & Kontrol Productions, 2010.