WESTSIDE Christian College Year 12 filmmaker Jessica Cross is celebrating a breakout year on the Australian festival circuit, with her short film The Story of Angelique taking out Best Short Film at the Australian Performing Arts Conservatory (APAC) Film Festival.
The surreal, French New Wave inspired comedy has now been selected for four major film festivals, including the 11th National and International Benalla Short Film Festival 2025, the Ipswich Film Festival for Youth, the Independent Australia Film Festival, and APAC, where it secured the top award.
Cross reimagined her first-ever short film into a polished, black-and-white production – quirky, stylish and unmistakably personal.
“It’s surreal seeing The Story of Angelique reach festivals across Australia, and really represents my creative voice,” she said.
“I want to keep creating films in the future, especially ones that aren’t being made in today’s cinema. Working with friends as my ensemble has been such a great experience.”
A long-time lover of film craft, Cross said her passion began in childhood.
“I was always captivated by the visual elements of film, even when I was too young to understand why,” she said.
“Now I can see it’s the artistry – hand-painted sets, thoughtful costuming, stunning cinematography. I hope one day I can create a film that expresses my love of cinema and storytelling.”
Her latest work, already a multi-award-winning short, blends French New Wave aesthetics with muted deadpan humour to explore imagination and identity.
The film follows Angelique, a quietly eccentric young woman who feels detached from the world and more alive in the stories she creates.
Cross said her influences ranged from cinema greats to vintage design.
“My inspiration comes from my love of anything vintage,” she said.
“I’d been studying French New Wave and wanted to make something like that but with my own spin. Directors like Wes Anderson, Tim Burton, Jean-Luc Godard and Jean-Pierre Jeunet really shaped the look.”
Creating the film became a one-woman creative mission – writing, editing, costume-making and art direction – supported by a small ensemble cast whose improvisation brought unexpected depth to the silent, deadpan characters.
“Because the actors had so few lines, it was amazing watching them express their characters through silence and subtle expressions,” Cross said.
“It was hard to keep a straight face – we had to restart takes because we kept laughing.”
Filming took place across Ipswich, including a standout sequence at Ungermann Brothers Milk Bar.
“I really wanted to use an Ipswich setting because it’s where I live,” Cross said.
“Ungermann Brothers added such a beautiful tone and aesthetic to the film.”
With major festival wins already under her belt, The Story of Angelique continues to gain momentum – most recently placing in the Top Three Comedies in Australia under consideration for the BUFTA Film Festival.
Cross says the recognition has been overwhelming, but motivating.
“I am incredibly grateful that audiences and judges have enjoyed my film so much,” she said.
