by FilmInk Staff
In a rare and thrilling turn for the Australian film industry, a queer horror comedy called DIE BULLY DIE took out a top film prize, winning the coveted Dendy Award for Best Live Action Australian Short Film at the 71st Sydney Film Festival.
This victory marked a milestone for directors and producers The Lacey Brothers, Nathan and Nick Lacey, and producer Nicole Thorn who are no strangers to the Sydney Film Festival, with DIE
BULLY DIE being their second short film to be featured in the awards. This was their first win.
The film’s screenwriters, producers and stars, Matthew Backer and Drew Weston, said they were “shocked bully shocked” to win such an award for their first ever screenplay and producing effort, which has consequently earned their film eligibility for the Academy Awards.
Based on the true-life experience of current Play School presenter Matthew Backer, DIE BULLY DIE resonated deeply with Sydney Film Festival audiences where it drew comparisons to the global Netflix hit, Baby Reindeer, for its raw and impactful storytelling.
The film delves into Matthew’s experience of being ruthlessly bullied for being gay at his all-boys, Catholic high-school in Brisbane in the late ’90s and early 2000s and looks at the lasting damage bullying inflicts upon its victims, while also celebrating forgiveness and self acceptance.
Sydney Film Festival described DIE BULLY DIE as “a poignant and yet entertaining story of bullying and revenge done with great style, fun and wit”.
In a heartfelt acceptance speech, Nathan Lacey said “being a filmmaker is an insane thing to choose as a career. It’s hard to quantify, it’s hard to get by, and sometimes, it’s even hard to
justify.
“Everyone in this room tonight is here because they believe in the power of storytelling and the power of cinema. Being a part of this event is a reminder of why myself and my brother Nick
chose to be filmmakers in the first place and this award means the world to us.”
Matthew Backer used the awards podium to highlight the importance of queer representation in film. “We wanted to write something showing queer characters as lead characters and queer
actors as lead actors, because we are!”
This moment underscored the film’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity, making it a landmark win for queer representation in Australian cinema.
For more information, visit:
DIE BULLY DIE Instagram – www.instagram.com/diebullydie
BASED Film – www.basedfilm.com
‘Making of Die Bully Die’ – https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/diebullydie
