Director Craig Wyhoon with Blind Freedom actor Daniel Holman. Photo: Supplied.
The team behind the locally shot and produced Blind Freedom have continued their winning streak, with the film’s director collecting a Best Director Short Film award.
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The World Cinemas Awards recognised the work of Echuca local Craig Wyhoon, who wrote and directed Blind Freedom.
While it was not his first industry award, Mr Wyhoon said it was still a strange feeling.
“It is somewhat surreal to think that a small film like Blind Freedom can be recognised on an international level,” he said.
“Winning best director, (it) was such an honour to have been awarded against hundreds of submissions.
“A director’s role is to have the ability to have that creative vision ... and although (I’m) new to directing, it’s great to see that industry professionals see the quality and progress in your work.”
Director Craig Wyhoon on the Blind Freedom set. Photo: Supplied.
Mr Wyhoon’s passion for film began as a teenager when he dreamt of being an actor and a photographer.
He was involved in the world of theatre before, at the age of 18, being accepted into the National Institute of Dramatic Art.
Unfortunately, he suffered from epilepsy and due to the stigma and pressures he faced, he declined the offer.
Later on, he opted instead to do a course at the Academy of Television and was exposed to various types of film sets and gained insight into the industry.
Director Craig Wyhoon with actor Skye Hope. Photo: Supplied.
Mr Wyhoon’s passion has continued to grow, and today he is pushing for more people with disabilities to pursue their passion in film, acting and the arts.
Working with people with disabilities inspired him to enter his first film, Loki & Me, into the Focus On Ability Film Festival and from there, his film career has continued to flourish.
Mr Wyhoon said he created Blind Freedom by combining the things he was passionate about.
“I feel it is important to share stories that are natural, authentic and original,” he said.
“In Blind Freedom, which is a period-style film set in the 1930s’ Great Depression, it gives the film authenticity and shows that there were people with vision impairments back then, too.
“My love for Australia, history and period films, combining that with how I can include disability into that, allowed me to write about how a blind boy gets lost, and it is a young girl with her visions, ends up finding him.”
Actors Claire Duncan and Skye Hope with Craig Wyhoon on the set of Blind Freedom. Photo: Supplied.
Blind Freedom is a proof-of-concept short film, which can be used to approach and connect with producers in order to create a feature film.
Loki & Me is currently undergoing this process, with Mr Wyhoon working closely with Los Angeles-based Australian producer Jess Orcsik to bring it to life.
Aside from his work on Loki & Me and the continuing rollout of Blind Freedom, Mr Wyhoon is also working on two other short films.
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