by FilmInk Staff
Victorian Filmmaker Genna Chanelle Hayes has announced plan to produce her upcoming feature film OLIVIA in regional Victoria later this year.
With production is set to take place in Ballarat and Melbourne, the acclaimed young director using her sophomore feature film to tackle Violence Against Women.
“This is a film I wrote in 2020 during the pandemic lockdowns when increasing numbers of women were reporting cases of domestic violence. And I think everyone now realises the gravity of the situation, particularly here in regional Victoria where women continue to lose their lives at the hands of dangerous men.”
So far this year 58 women and 10 children have lost their lives to male violence across Australia – which is twice the national average of years prior, according to Australia’s Femicide Watch.
The local filmmaker said OLIVIA will give deeper insight into the female experience, and allow for greater understanding of the challenges women face when it comes to male violence.
“Most women I know have dealt with some form of abuse at the hands of a man no matter their background or what continent they live on, so this as far-reaching as an issue can get. And the only way to change the situation is to speak of the experience, which is a really difficult thing for most women to do. I think film can help fill that gap.”
Hayes is known for her passionate filmmaking in support of social justice, and OLIVIA is a follow up to her acclaimed feature film debut AKONI, which premiered in regional Australia and then swept the 2022 Australian Awards Season garnering nominations (and a few wins) at the AACTA, ARIA, ADG, ACS and ASIN Awards.
Casting for OLIVIA is underway, with production slated to begin later this year.
