Under the Water

In a quiet coastal town, eleven-year-old Olivia faces constant misogynistic harassment from the boys and men around her. She finds solace in an old picture book; a tale of sirens who rise from the crashing waves to fight back against their captors. As strange signs draw her toward the sea, she follows a spectral woman into the depths. What begins as a retreat into fantasy becomes a radical act of reclamation, as Olivia emerges with a voice sharpened by rage and ancient power.

On Under the Water, 51% of the cast and crew identified as female, non-binary or gender diverse.

CAST + CREW
Olivia: Tahlia Sturzaker
Father: Ben Brock
Mother: Stephanie Begg
Boys at the kiosk: Jack Ruwald, Nile Sturzaker
Kiosk vendor: Brendan Miles
Boys in the car: Michael Hawkins, Jeremi Campese, Noah Sturzaker
Mother on the beach: Payal Patel
Daughter on the beach: Sophie Patel
Voice: Eleanor Stankiewicz

Director: Isabella Andronos
Writers: Isabella Andronos, Beck Thompson
Producers: Katherine Shearer, Sasha Dyer, Isabella Andronos
Cinematographer: Meredith Williams
Production Designers: Roberto Manzini, Isabella Andronos
Costume Designer: Roberto Manzini
Editor: Amy Dunn
Music: Hamish Francis
Sound Supervisor: Samuel Turner
Underwater Cinematographer: Caleb Graham
Standby Props: Ara Nuri Steel, Courtney Westbrook, Luka Yates
Art Department Assistants: Jacqueline Chapman, Miranda Daughtry, Ruby Swain, Ricky James, Emily Bull, Madison Hegarty
Storybook Illustrator: Isabella Andronos
Storybook Cover Design: Jacqueline Chapman
Digital Artist: Roberto Manzini
Storybook Writers: Fabia Andronos, Joshua Krone
Hair and Make Up Artist: Miabella Enriquez

Official Website

SCREENINGS
Official Selection, Valkyrie Film Festival, 2025 (Nomination: Best Fantasy Film)
Official Selection, Sunrise Film Festival, 2025
Official Selection, Setting Sun Film Festival, 2025 (Winner: Best Film By A Female Director)
Official Selection, Female Voices Rock Film Festival, 2025
Official Selection, Vierte Welle Film Festival, 2025
Official Selection, Wench Film Festival, 2025
Official Selection, Dunedin International Film Festival, 2025
Official Selection, Chicago Women’s Film Fest, 2024
Official Selection, Milan Indie Film Festival, 2024
Official Selection, Women in Film and Television, Cyprus, 2024
Official Selection, Australia Independent Film Festival, 2024 (Nomination: Best Student Film)
Official Selection, The Bay International Film Festival, 2024 (Winner: Best Student Film)
Official Selection, Cyprus International Film Festival, 2024
Official Selection, Atlanta Women’s Film Festival, 2024 (Nomination: Best Cinematography)
Official Selection, Los Angeles Women in Film Festival, 2024
Official Selection, Toronto International Women Film Festival, 2024
Official Selection, Montreal Women Film Festival, 2024
Official Selection, Flickerfest 33rd International Short Film Festival, 2024 (Premiere)
Semi-Finalist, Flickers’ Rhode Island International Film Festival, 2023

AWARDS
Winner: Best Film By a Female Director, Setting Sun Film Festival, 2025
Nomination: Best Fantasy Film, Valkyrie Film Festival, 2025
Nomination: Best Student Film, Australian Directors Guild, 2024
Winner: Best Student Film, Nomination: Best Music, The Bay International Film Festival, 2024
Winner: Best Student Film, Chicago Women Film Fest, 2024
Nomination: Best Cinematography, Atlanta Women’s Film Festival, 2024
Nomination: Best Student Film, Australia Independent Film Festival, 2024
Nomination: Best Student Film, Toronto International Women Film Festival, 2024