SHOPLIFT

'Justice has to do with proper relations with and fulfillment of obligations to others' - Airstotle

ABOUT THE PROJECT

"Shoplift" is a 16 minute Short Film that deals with the morally grey area that crosses over between justice and revenge. The film follows Maya a student from overseas who is studying in Sydney due to the war in her home country, who becomes heavily traumatized after being robbed at gunpoint while working a shift at her Uncle's shop.

With authorities refusing to take the case seriously, Maya becomes enraged, taking matters into her own hands. Using her Uncle's Remington 870 Mechanical Pump Action that he had shipped over from a Black Market in America, Maya successfully fends off the armed robber. 

Sadly, victory was short for Maya, when the armed robber makes an astonishing return to get his revenge leading Maya to take her anger and frustrations out on Jade, a troubled sixteen-year-old who regulary shoplifts at her Uncle's store where  the two become caught in a firery situation with the armed robber.  

DIRECTOR'S STATMENT

The film also explores the socioeconomic issue of Youth Crime in Western Sydney, the markings of a failed society. It also shows how individuals deal with trauma in an unhealthy cathartic way where the answer isn't so much to take revenge, but rather to reach out. In other words, "Crime would be less prevalent, if there were more opportunities." 

WHERE WE ARE AT WITH THE PROJECT

So far we got together a crew of highly skilled individuals. Casting is almost complete. We booked a location (a service station) that we plan on filming next month from July 16th - July 22nd. 

MEET THE TEAM!

Meet the creative team behind Shoplift filled with so many talented individuals from diverse backgrounds in filmmaking and storytelling! Each person on the team is very unique and highly important to the project. Whether it'd be a producer, a DP a gaffer, or a production runner. Everyone's role is important. There are no small parts.    

SUSAN DANIEL - DIRECTOR/WRITER

Susan Daniel is an emerging filmmaker on the Autism spectrum based in Sydney and is of Middle Eastern descent from a working class family who always had a passion for storytelling growing up. Having worked with Claudia Karvan on the BUMP Christmas Movie as well as Series 1 of AUSTIN alongside Darren Ashton, Susan has taken the industy by storm. 

Graduated from Randwick TAFE with an Advanced Diploma in Screen and Media: Film and Television Susan has worked on several AFTRS Short Films including the award winning film Lucky Peach Directed by Grace Tan which made it's debut at the 70th Melbourne International Film Festival. 

Susan has some accolades of her own. Her Short Film The Dealer on Campus won a BiMonthly Award for best short movie at the Reale BiMonthy Film Awards in Italy as well as her documentary short Eddy Robles which cracked the Judges' Top 50 at World Nomads Travel Film Scholarship. Her most recent Short Film The Audition has been submitted to the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and to the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. She has two feature films currently in development.

JULIA BATSON - PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Julia is a Stylist and Production Designer who has been workin in the industry for the last 5 years. After finding her feet through her love for visual storytelling, Julia has been involved in a range of projects and productions in both wardrobe and productiond design, finessing and fine tuning her talent and love for what she does.

EYAL SHORER - EDITOR

Eyal is a passionate and skilled film editor backed by a Bachelor of Film in Post Production. Proficient in multiple editing software programs, he brings a sharp eye to storytelling through his editing. With experience across short films, documentaries, and ads, Eyal is dedicated to honing his craft with the goal of creating engaging films that leave a lasting impact on viewers.

MAREK EBENARD - COMPOSER/MUSIC SUPERVISOR 

Marek has scored a range of short films, crafting music that supports narrative with sensitivity and collaboration. 

His work blend emotional depth with cinematic storytelling, drawing from a background in both Classical and Modern Production Styles.

He is passionate about collaborating and bringing to life the exciting project Shoplift.

INDY JO - BEHIND THE SCENES

Indy specializes in behind the scenes and will be capturing moments from rehearsal to shoot to put together in a mini documentary showcasing the on set experience and the nitty gritty details of making the film.

FILM LOOKS & INSPIRATION

Your contributions will covers the salaries of our hardworking cast & crew to be paid their full worth. Location fees will be covered as well as catering costs to ensure everyone on set is fed. Nobody should go hungry. 

The goal for the short film is to get as much done as possible so by the time we meet with a production company, we'll have everything organzied and are able to make the film as part of an official production. 

We aim to get the film into festivals, that will eventually lead to a distribution deal towards SBS on Demand and MUBI. 

There's nothing wrong with dreaming big. You're contribution will not only make my dreams come true, but the dreams of many others. 

We thank you for your contributions :)