When The Big Anxiety comes to town a group of women are inspired to tackle the devastating effects of suicide and trauma. The transformation they experience raises a bigger question: do we as a society need to change our ways when it comes to mental health?

A feature documentary completed late 2023 and currently entered into film festivals internationally. We are currently seeking conversations on distribution for this important documentary.

Currently entered into film festivals and seeking distribution

Produced and directed by Steph Vajda

DOP: Dan Baebler 

Camera and drone: Steph Vajda

Sound recording: Steph Vajda and Ronald Kitcher-Pentey

Edit: Steph Vajda with Sam Watson and Millicent Norman

Sound master: James Hardage

Colour: Dan Baebler 

First Nations people with a disability are some of the most disadvanted people in Australia. Working with Carly Wallace and her team at First People's Disability Network (FPDN), we've created a set of stunning advocacy and training films to further their work.

Expected release June 2024

Producer: Carly Wallace

Camera & Sound: Dan Baebler and Steph Vajda

Post Production: Steph Vajda with Sam Watson

Sound master: Steph Vajda and James Hardage

Colour: Dan Baebler

Indigo Daya is many things - an artist, facilitator, activist and a survivor.

Presented by The Big Anxiety and produced by Article One, this short documentary explores the passion, tension and hopes of a survivor and artist seeking to connect with others who have experienced trauma and are looking for new ways to support each other.

OFFICIAL SELECTION IN 4 FILM FESTIVALS

Follow Indigo's work here

Directed, filmed and edited by Steph Vajda

Colour: Dan Baebler 

A project with The Big Anxiety

Producer: Rebecca Moran

Director: Rebecca Moran and Steph Vajda

Camera & Sound: Steph Vajda

Post Production: Steph Vajda

Colour: Dan Baebler

We filmed a live performance by Gentle Ben and his Shimmering Hands at The Zoo in Fortitude Valley, Magandjin (Brisbane). Band member Tony Giacca edited this music video with the footage. 

Camera by Steph Vajda and Sam Watson

Edited by Tony Giacca

Colour by Dan Baebler

Produced by Steph Vajda with the FNHA team of Tom Widdup and Sarah Easson

Cinematography by Brendan Blacklock and Dan Baebler

Post Production by Sam Watson, Dan Baebler and Steph Vajda

Colour by Dan Baebler

Sound master by Steph Vajda

Les Malezer is well known internationally for his work on human rights, and raising the profile of Indigenous Peoples in the United Nations and the Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings. He has devoted his entire career fighting for rights of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

QUT engaged us to create a short film celebrating the achievements of the remarkable Gubbi Gubbi and Butchulla man Uncle Les Malezer upon awarding him an honourary doctorate.

Produced by Karina Hogan and Jenae Tien

Camera, sound and edit by Steph Vajda

Expected release June 2024

Produced and directed by Steph Vajda

Cinematography by Dan Baebler

Camera and drone by Steph Vajda

Sound recording by Sam Watson and Steph Vajda

Post Production by Steph Vajda

Colour: Dan Baebler

We were honoured to work with Blacklock Media to create over 40 short films supporting the 2023 National NAIDOC Awards.

And what an amazing ride it was! Over 6 weeks Brendan Blacklock and his team sent Article One footage from top secret interviews with nominees from around Australia with some of the most inspiring, motivated and talented First Nations people with big stories. We're very happy with what we were able to produce and proud to share such positive stories of excellence with you.

All ownership of this content lies with Blacklock Media and the National NAIDOC Committee

See all films on the National NAIDOC Facebook page

Line Producer: Rami Fischler

Cinematography by Brendan Blacklock and Benjamin Powell

Post Production produced by Steph Vajda

Lead editor: Steph Vajda

Story development by Sam Watson

Assistant editors: Sam Watson and Millicent Norman

Colour grading: Dan Baebler and Alex Adam

Sound mastering: Steph Vajda and James Hardage

In August 2023 SAE Creative Media Institute in West End, Magandjin (Brisbane) held an Open Day allowing prospective students to tour the campus and participate in activities and discussions related to courses offered. We produced this 60 second promo film after documenting the event. 

Camera: Dan Baebler with Steph Vajda 

Edit: Dan Baebler with Millicent Norman

We were engaged by Plumwood Magazine and UNSW to create a set of short films in collaboration with First Nations poets. The result is this set of 3 beautiful films articulating the poets visions for their work. These films were screened at Edinburgh Festival in 2022 as part of the House of Oz collection. Thanks to poets Datota Feirer, Samuel Watson and Luke Patterson.

Watch all 3 Herbarium Tales films on the AIATSIS website

Produced, written and directed by Dan Baebler, Sam Watson and Steph Vajda with Datota Feirer, Samuel Watson and Luke Patterson

Featuring: Datota Feirer, Samuel Watson and Luke Patterson

DOP: Dan Baebler 

Gimbal: Steph Vajda

Drone: Craig Mortensen and Jose Pincheira 

Sound: Steph Vajda and Sam Watson

Edit: Dan Baebler, Sam Watson and Steph Vajda

Colour: Dan Baebler 

We've been working with the amazing Crackup Sisters over the past couple of years to create a web series as they ventured out and about to meet with performers who've worked in the Outback. With 6 episodes in this first season, we're currently entering films into film competitions to build momentum towards funding and creating a second series. Episode 6 in the series was a finalist in the 2022 West End Film Festival. And we've just been notified that all 6 films will be featured in the 2023 Vision Splendid film festival in Winton!

Check out the trailer. We're hoping to share these episodes with the world later in 2023.

More about the Crackup Sisters

Featuring: The Crackup Sisters - Amanda Lyn-Pearson & Bianca Mackail

Producers: Amanda Lyn-Pearson and Steph Vajda

Director: Steph Vajda and Amanda Lyn-Pearson

DOP: Dan Baebler

Cam B: Steph Vajda and Sam Watson

Sound: Steph Vajda and Sam Watson

Edit: Steph Vajda and Dan Baebler

We’ve been working with The Big Anxiety for a couple of years now, initially collaborating on a community arts project using Augmented Reality and storytelling. Since then we’ve been filming their events in Meanjin (Brisbane) And Naarm (Melbourne). We’re also making a documentary with them and the Warwick community. Here you can check out the highlights films we’ve made from each of their recent events. 

More about The Big Anxiety

Camera: Dan Baebler (Meanjin) &  Steph Vajda (Naarm)

Edits: Steph Vajda

The campaign to save Deebing Creek and specifically the former Aboriginal mission site is a vital part of the struggle for justice in South East Queensland. We’ve been honoured to work with camp protectors and campaign leaders, documenting their battle with developers and government and creating short social media pieces to help spread the word and encourage wider support and involvement. 

Sam is also currently editing a short film from footage collected at the Deebing Creek Summit held on site in 2022. 

To see more of the vids we've produced for this campaign, go to the Deebing Creek Justice Facebook page

Director: Sam Watson

Camera and Sound: Steph Vajda

Edits: Steph Vajda

BRQ approached us to develop a set of films, radio ads and print materials for a campaign to provide support for regional communities to access information about social security. Through engagement with community service providers and the BRQ team we created films like the one above featuring Aunty Dawn Daylight.

More about BRQ

Produced, written and Directed: Steph Vajda with Fiona Hunt and Paul MacKay

Featuring: Aunty Dawn Daylight, Malinda Flynn, Stan James, Eileen Hooper, Sandra Jones and Jak Lintott

DOP: Dan Baebler  |  Sound: Steph Vajda

Edit: Dan Baebler and Steph Vajda

You Came Again is a vegan tapas bar and restaurant located in West End, Brisbane. We were stoked to work with Nicola and her team to develop an advert promoting their new Meat Free Mondays, an opportunity for meat eaters hesitant about trying vegan food. Working with YCA also meant we had a few more chances to sample their delicious menu! Due for release in the first half of 2022.

Book a table at YCA today!

Produced, written and Directed: Steph Vajda

Featuring: Amber Hawken and Ryan Pope

DOP: Dan Baebler

Sound: Sam Watson and Steph Vajda

Edit: Steph Vajda

Colour: Dan Baebler

Anthony Forrest is an acclaimed singer songwriter hailing from Brisbane. He's a member of renowned reggae band Kingfisha and Deepest Love is his first solo release. We filmed this live recording of Anthony and the band at So Soap Studios in West End in 2021.

Check out Anthony's Facebook Page

DOP: Dan Baebler  |  Cam B: Steph Vajda

Edit: Steph Vajda

In 2019, working with 33 Creative, we produced a set of four short films sharing real interactions between pairs of First Nations people who had supported each other through hard times. It was such an incredible honour to work on this project and we were humbled to receive a First Nations Media Award for Best Campaign.

More about RUOK? Stronger Together

Produced and written: Steph Vajda and 33 Creative

Director: Steph Vajda 

DOP: Brendan Blacklock |  Cam B: Adam McPhilbin  |  Cam C: Danni Sitto

Sound: Douson Yuan

Edit: Steph Vajda

Take Blaktion is a sexual health campaign for mob delivered by NSW Health. We've been fortunate to work with Aboriginal communications company 33 Creative in Sydney on this project since 2018 and have just been awarded an additional 3 year contract. The skit featured here is from the 2021 campaign.

More about Take Blaktion

Produced by Steph Vajda and 33 Creative

Writers: Megan Wilding, Dale Woodbridge-Brown and Andy Saunders

Director: Steph Vajda

DOP: Brendan Blacklock  |  Cam B: Dan Baebler

Edit: Steph Vajda

A film shot and edited by Dan Baebler while working with Human, a now ceased community development and design organisation based in Brisbane. Dan and a colleague Andrew Gibbs traveled throughout Europe, Asia and the USA to produce this film.

More about NVDA

Produced, written and Directed by Andrew Gibbs and Dan Baebler

DOP: Dan Baebler  

Edit: Dan Baebler

Sovereign Stories are a collection of films celebrating 10 years of the State Library of Queensland's black&write! program.

More about Sovereign Stories

Producer and Director: EJ Garret (Jetzak Productions)

DOP: Dan Baebler  |  Cam B: Steph Vajda

Sound: Steph Vajda

Edit: Dan Baebler & Steph Vajda

We recently shot some promo for an upcoming release by Dancing Water called ‘Doin It Different’

More about Dancing Water

DOP: Dan Baebler  

Gimbal: Steph Vajda