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The Project

Kate Kelly, sister of infamous outlaw Ned, embarks on a bush walk which draws her through increasingly visceral memories of her extraordinary, tumultuous life.

The story of the Kelly Gang has been told on screen for as long as films have been made, but never from the perspective of the Feminine.

Introducing A Walk with Kate, a Gothic 12 minute short film to be shot in March 2023, led by a team of passionate Graduate film students from Swinburne University of Technology.

We need your help to explore the story of this incredible woman, as never before seen on screen!

Who is Kate Kelly and Why is Her Story Important?

Horsewoman, Performer, Advocate against Capital Punishment, Rebel, Celebrity, Family Woman and Outcast. Kate was fearless, a woman outside of her own time without trying to be. On screen, she often only features in the story of the Kelly Gang as a catalyst for the men's stories: her family's response to the unwanted advances of Officer Fitzpatrick towards her allegedly helped launch the Gang's outlaw status. Kate's perspective, the enormous role she played in what followed and her own trailblazing existence as a woman of her time is almost completely overlooked. She embodies the spirit of the silenced but powerful woman. This film seeks to change that by giving voice and space to Kate and the other Kelly women, whilst acknowledging that a person and their story can never be truly known by anyone but themselves, by leaning into elements of gothic surrealism. 

Director's Statement

My core vision for A Walk with Kate is to celebrate the bush alongside Kate as a powerful force and evocative of feminine power, rather than something to be feared and controlled. I’ve always felt an intense fascination for the Kelly story and the divisive impacts it has on folklore and have felt drawn to the women who have remained voiceless within it. With a deep personal connection to the bush and a strong passion for feminist advocacy, I am driven to do this important story justice. The gothic and surrealist tonal elements will be evocative of the Dark and Unknown which like the Feminine has been feared and silenced. I am hugely passionate about telling this story in a way that subverts the narrative as it has been previously explored, completely recontextualising it through an unfettered feminine perspective.

Meet the Team

Writer/Director – Gaia Mitting

Gaia is an emerging writer/director and sound designer from Melbourne/Naarm. In 2021 Gaia directed the short environmental documentary The Land Speaks which screened at several festivals including the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival. She also worked as a sound designer and co-writer on the award-winning short La Tansouna (Ghassali 2021). Gaia is incredibly passionate about making space for women’s voices and environmental respect, and is excited to unite these loves through A Walk with Kate. She has engaged in deep research throughout the scripting process and has felt honoured to learn more about this incredible and overlooked woman. She is currently studying at Swinburne University under an academic excellence scholarship.

Producer - Caitlyn Percy

Caitlyn is a producer and cinematographer with a passion for bringing big ideas to life. She is currently studying Film and Television at Swinburne University under an academic excellence scholarship. Using the knowledge gained from her studies, alongside project management skills acquired from various leadership roles, she looks forward to turning a big idea into a reality in producing A Walk With Kate.

Cinematographer - Jordan Blanch

Jordan is an internationally award-winning director, cinematographer and editor. After graduating with the Premier’s Award for Media in 2019, he has gone on to work on a wide array of music videos and commercial projects. His works have been featured on Rage, MTV, Triple J alongside film festivals worldwide. He is currently studying Film and Television at Swinburne University of Technology under an academic excellence scholarship.

Editor - Madeline Royce

Madeline is a young freelance filmmaker and photographer currently studying film and television at Swinburne University. She has worked as editor on award winning four-part web-series Sitting Ducks and short La Tansouna, and directed and edited feature-length documentary Bohemia which premiered at LIDO cinemas and on Channel 31.

Sound Designer - Martin Harris

Martin first took an interest in filmmaking through producing content for Youtube, beginning in late 2015. Martin is now studying film and television at Swinburne University, and is currently working as a freelance sound recordist and video/sound editor.

Production Designer - Bella Salvatore

Bella is a production designer,  cinematographer and photographer from Naarm with extensive experience in industry and a unique eye for beauty in the details. Still undertaking her Film & Television Bachelors degree at Swinburne University, Bella is passionate about amplifying women in film and harnessing a clear visual language to tell stories, evident in her brand and her ability to construct worlds within the screen. Bella felt immediately connected to Kate’s story and has delved into extensive historical research, motivated to express the fusion between femininity against the harsh backdrop of the Australian bush. 

Acknowledgement of Country

We respectfully Acknowledge that this story took place and will be filmed on the Lands of the Yorta Yorta People, Bpangerang People, Taungurung People, Pallanganmiddang People, Dhudhuroa People, Minjambutta People, Quat Quatta People, Jaitmatang People, Wiradjuri Nation, and Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and Acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. 

This is an ambitious project, with the core goal to tell Kate’s story with the respect and scope it deserves.

Ideal Budget: $10,000

Costs include:

• Hiring a camera-comfortable horse and horse wrangler.
• Hiring and creation of accurate period costumes and props with a Gothic twist.
• Hiring of historically appropriate locations.
• Payment for Cast. 
• Wages for crucial non-student personnel such as Safety Officer, Horse Wrangler, Steadicam Operator, Intimacy Co-ordinator. 
• Equipment hire, Zeiss super speed Lenses - these vintage lenses have a distinct vintage characteristic and a fast aperture which would be crucial in pushing a filmic look. 
• Catering, transport and accommodation for cast and crew on location.
• Submission to film festivals.

All money raised will go directly into financing the creation of the film. Thank you so much for taking the time to read. Please don't hesitate to contact us here or on our social media pages with any questions!

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