Monday, 2 November 2026
6.00pm – 7.30pm (arrive at 6pm for 6.30pm start)
Forrester’s, 336 Riley St, Surry Hills (upstairs function room)
Admission | $15 (at the door) / Or buy tickets online via Eventbrite
All welcome
[More info]

PANEL: Michela Carattini | Tsu Shan Chambers | Tony Chu

Topic | FROM CAST TO CREATOR: Making Your Own Feature Film & Creating Your Own Opportunities

What happens when you stop waiting to be cast and start creating the stories you want to be part of? Michela Carattini (Carmen & Bolude), Tsu Shan Chambers (My Eyes) and Tony Chu (Mr Red Bean) share their experiences making three very different Australian independent features—all filmed around the same period in 2023.

Each worked both in front of and behind the camera, navigating multiple roles as actors, writers, producers and creatives while bringing ambitious independent films to life at different budget levels.

The conversation explores what actors can learn from stepping behind the camera: developing and financing projects, creating meaningful roles, attaching collaborators, balancing acting with producing, surviving an indie shoot, understanding what producers need from actors—and ultimately taking greater ownership of their careers.

Three films. Three different journeys.

About Michela
Michela Carattini was the lynchpin creative of the ANZ Netflix hit and 2026 AACTA-nominated feature, CARMEN & BOLUDE. She has worked professionally as an award-winning actor in the European, US & Australian screen and stage industries for 32 years, and for 17 years as a writer/director/producer. Her filmmaking credits include the documentary WHEN HOME IS WHERE THE HURT IS (2009), shorts UNSPOILED BY FEMINISM (2016) and REMOTE ACCESS (2019), and the TikTok series AMERICANS IN OZ. Michela is also an internationally-acclaimed and sought-after intimacy coordinator, policy consultant and SAG-AFTRA accredited head trainer, recently featured in THE NEW YORKER MAGAZINE for her work.

About Tsu Shan
Tsu Shan Chambers is a trailblazing Actor /Producer, driven by a passion for creating bold, thought-provoking stories that inspire change. A rising force in the Australian screen industry, she was elected to the SPA Council in 2023, named on IF Magazine’s Rising Talent List, and honoured on the inaugural AA122 List, celebrating the most influential Asian Australians shaping national culture. Selected for AWG/Create NSW’s prestigious First Break program in 2022, Tsu Shan has contributed to several key industry bodies, including the Diversity Justice Lens Group and the AFTRS Alumni Advisory Group. Her producing credits include UNSOUND, a powerful feature exploring deaf culture and pride, which won multiple awards including Best Indie Film at the 2020 AACTAs and secured international distribution on Netflix (ANZ) and Fuse TV (US). She also produced SUKA (Nine, 2023) and co-wrote and produced MY EYES, a heartfelt family drama now distributed internationally and earning multiple award nominations.

About Tony
Tony Chu is the writer-director-producer of MR RED BEAN - a completed Australian feature film (medical drama-comedy/ 92 mins/ G) - which is intended to capture the imagination of global audiences by both entertaining and educating. With over 24 years’ experience in the entertainment industry, Tony is a trained actor (stage & screen); award-winning short filmmaker (over 35 short films) and produced feature screenwriter. Within the film industry, he is best known as the Founder of NAFA and previous Festival Director of Show-Fest International. As a creator-producer for film & TV, Tony is passionate about telling meaningful stories with heart - smart comedies - engaging dramas - family-friendly - and socially impactful.

Trailers:
CARMEN AND BOLUDE (comedy drama romance)
MY EYES (drama family)
MR RED BEAN (comedy drama)