Lara: A New Short Film by Leah Baulch Set to Debut in 2025
The Geelong filmmaking community continues to thrive, and one of its brightest talents, Leah Baulch, is ready to showcase her latest short film, Lara, on the festival circuit in 2025.
Supported by Geelong Waterfront Film and produced by Dos Hermanas Productions, Lara is a drama that delves into the personal and artistic struggles of its protagonist, Emily. Played by Olivia Fildes (Sunflower), Emily is a burned-out photographer who visits her boyfriend’s sister in the quiet countryside town of Lara. There, she is forced to confront deep-seated questions about a future she has never fully envisioned.
Leah Baulch, the film’s writer, director, and co-star, began developing the script as an exploration of family and commitment. Over time, it evolved into a poignant examination of an artist’s inner conflict—her struggle to move forward, whether in terms of relationships, self-care, or creative fulfillment. Drawing from her own experiences as an artist, Leah has crafted a deeply personal yet universally relatable story.
Joining Olivia Fildes in the cast is accomplished Australian actor Darcy Kent (Neighbours, Warnie, Offspring) as Ross, Emily’s boyfriend. Leah Baulch herself steps into the role of Genevieve, Ross’ sister, making Lara a truly intimate and emotionally charged film.
Behind the scenes, Lara owes its success to a dedicated and resourceful crew, including cinematographer Sara Jo Fraser, editor Dallas Bland, and composer Larissa Agosti. Despite the challenges of filming in the intense summer heat and navigating long travel distances, the passion and commitment of this team brought Leah’s vision to life.
“The entire team really dug deep into this story. It’s surprising that we’ve come out with something so moving considering this team had never worked together before—the film is complex but still relatable,” said Leah. “The dedication from this team was huge—to brave the intense summer heat outdoors, long travel times to set, and a lot of emotional vulnerability. But I’m so happy that we had the team we did because there was so much support and passion, and it shows in the final product.”
Filmed in both the City of Greater Geelong and Melbourne, Lara is a testament to the power of local storytelling. With the support of Geelong Waterfront Film’s grant program, the film demonstrates that great stories can flourish when emerging filmmakers are empowered by a passionate and supportive industry.
As Lara prepares to make its mark on the festival circuit next year, Leah and her team are excited for audiences to experience this powerful and thought-provoking film.
Leah was a Geelong Waterfront Film Foundation Grant Recipient in July 2023, and we are thrilled to see her project come to life.
