by FIlmInk Staff
Australian short film The Retained is nearing completion and gearing up for its festival run in 2026. The plot concerns the youngest daughter of wealthy family that must choose between loyalty and morality when she is forced to conceal her father’s dark secret.
The Retained is director Robbie Studsor’s follow up to his acclaimed short film Shallow Breath which is currently being developed as a feature film with VicScreen and was submitted for Academy Award consideration in 2022 after winning the prestigious Light in Motion Award for Best International Short Film in 2021 at the Foyle Film Festival and screening in competition at Seattle International Film Festival.
The Retained is described as a tense psychological drama that explores the complexities of family, power dynamics and guilt within an idyllic Australian setting, and was shot during an intense production week in May 2025.
“Location is so important for a film like this and there’s something particularly haunting about the Australian countryside that works well for suspense. The entire shoot was at a remote French Chateau east of Melbourne not far from the Dandenong Ranges which is visually beautiful, however when you line that type of geography up with a specific type of story it can feel very eerie and tense.”
Although the film was shot entirely in Victoria, the producing duties were handled remotely from Western Australia by Brooke Thomas. “It was such an incredible achievement for Brooke to handle a very complicated shoot with a tight schedule from the other side of the country, she was completely available and across everything all the time.”
Although location and production values are important, Studsor understands that there must be a dramatic and emotional core to the film for function, and ultimately it’s always theme and character that are paramount.
“We all know that circumstances, convenience and comfort can distort people’s capacity to do the right thing and the film explores a young, entitled character at a major moral crossroad. We meet her over the course of a day and a night in a very unique and disturbing situation.”
The film features three female characters played by Jessica Husband (Neighbours) and newcomers Annabelle Goh and Hannah Jacob. “I couldn’t have hoped for a better cast, all 3 did such an incredible job. Hannah playing the lead role, is in almost every scene of the film and it was her first time on a film set. I was completely impressed by her craft and understanding of screen performance and really look forward to what she does next.”
Although Studsor is excited about the film finally nearing completion and beginning its festival run, he knows to expect the unexpected.
“Starting the festival circuit is always like standing at the edge of the unknown. Although you try to anticipate the run with a solid strategy, there’s so much luck involved that you just have to hand yourself over to the journey. Whether it’s a major festival, mid-tier or boutique type festival, I’m always just so grateful to be selected and involved. This film’s journey will be no different so I’m excited to see where it lands.”
For more information follow The Retained on Instagram @the_retained_film
