Josie Baynes, Catherine Williams and Rachel Ross

Splenda is the VCA graduating film by writer/ director Josie Baynes and produced by fellow VCA students Rachel Ross and Catherine Williams. The film is currently in pre production and will be shooting over 5 days at the end of July with an anticipated release in December. The short film will be aimed at the International film festival circuit.

Splenda explores the world of the Sugarbaby, a rising trend amongst the university students of Melbourne.




This is a mutually beneficial relationship between a young woman and a successful, wealthy businessman. In exchange for cash and a lavish lifestyle, the Sugardaddy has the pleasure of the Sugarbaby’s company. Sugarbabies can meet Sugardaddies through different websites and agencies. Last year, one of Australia's largest Sugarbaby website listed Melbourne as having 9210 Sugarbabies and 640 Sugardaddies & mummies.
Discovering this world last year, Josie became fascinated by the sub-culture and met some Melbourne Sugarbabies. From these meetings, she was inspired to write Splenda.


Splenda is a 10 minute short film that follows Alex, a cynical, broke female uni student who, once discovering the perks of being a Sugarbaby, strikes up an arrangement with Boyd, a 40-something computer programmer who, having made his fortune, is now looking for companionship. As their relationship develops over time, Alex’s initial judgement of Boyd's character is turned on it’s head as she discovers her need for more than materialistic pleasures. Will she help Boyd find real company, or stick to the contract they have agreed upon?

Splenda explores the exchange that is every relationship and whether you can put a price on it.




We need your support to bring this film to life. We already have an amazing crew volunteering their time and skills to make our film but without funding we won't get very far.

We want this film to be a visual feast for the eyes with a focus on production design and tailored costumes. We are aiming to make the film vibrant and believable. Think Wes Anderson crossed with Amelie, and a little Baz Luhrmann on the side.

Your generous donations will go towards professional equipment; hiring lights, generators, rigging, a dolly and jib and sound equipment. In post production your donations will go to colour grading, sound design and entries to film festivals around the world.

One of the biggest costs of this film is the production design. This includes the purchase and hire of costumes to turn our actors into characters, hiring unique locations and decking them out with furnishings, decor and props. Our locations include a retro diner, the Sugardaddy's lavish mansion (with a luxurious swimming pool) and the climax of the film will be on a medieval battlefield (yes, it will make sense!).




Director - Josie Baynes



Producer - Rachel Ross


Producer - Catherine Williams

To see our showreels and past work check out our website

The greatest challenge and set back to any student film (we believe) is in a lack-off, or poorly executed, production design. If the world of the film isn't consistent or believable than an audience is going to have trouble focusing on the story.
Our challenge will be to ensure that Splenda is not only the heightened, stylized world we envision but that it operates to enhance the atmosphere and tone of the film and not draw undue attention to its self. The last thing we want is trashy- leave that to Alex's Gold-digging mother!
Production Design is where we will pool our resources and funds and this is where we need your help to make sure every frame in Splenda serves the story and Director's vision.

We'll also be updating our Facebook page to keep you all in the loop, follow us at Splenda Facebook and check out out website for more details

Thank-you so much for taking the time to look at our project, we are so excited to make it happen and for you to be a part of it!!