Sydney Actor Harry Duckworth and John Batchelor Stars in Independent Short Film The Bench

This is a story I’ve wanted to bring to life, it dives into an important topic about family and how finite time really is with our loved ones and I truly believe it will resonate with the audience. We are shooting in October 2026, followed by post-production and a festival run in Australia and overseas. The project brings together a small team of artists who want to make something honest, moving and worth sharing.

I think we underestimate how much a simple conversation can mean. Today I feel people are disconnected and isolated from friends and family, we go about our lives without knowing what they’re dealing with, what they’ve lost or what they’re holding onto. This is a small story, but I hope it reminds people to slow down, listen and look a little closer at the people around them.

I’m raising funds to help make the film properly, pay the artists involved and give it the best chance of reaching an audience. Independent filmmaking takes a lot of people giving their time, energy and talent. Every contribution helps us get this story out into the world, especially with festivals as I want this to reach as many people as possible.

All donations will go towards the cost of making and sharing The Bench, including production and post-production expenses, payments to the artists involved, and submissions to film festivals and promotion of the short. The goal is to finish the film to a standard we’re proud of and give it a genuine opportunity to be seen by audiences. Once completed, we’ll be sharing the film’s journey and festival progress with supporters, with the hope of screening it at festivals in Australia and internationally. For me, this is about more than making a short film. It’s about bringing a group of artists together to tell a story we believe in, and giving that story a life beyond the people who made it.

SUPPORT THE FILM: Australian Cultural Fund