What’s Happening?
Mt Cotton local Brodie McNaughton, 26, has won Best Editor at the 2024–25 TAFE QLD LUMA Film Festival for his 19-minute horror-comedy The Very Scary Monster.
The short film was screened at the annual student showcase at TAFE Mt Gravatt, alongside 12 other films submitted by students of the Diploma of Screen and Media course.
The award celebrates Brodie’s editing work on the project, which he also wrote and directed. With the festival honour behind him, Brodie is now set to begin his Bachelor of Screen and Media at QUT this month and has expressed plans to film future projects in familiar Redlands Bay locations.
Why It Matters
The win highlights the creative talent coming out of Redlands and shines a light on local stories told through film.
McNaughton’s achievement also recognises the technical skills being taught at regional training providers like TAFE Queensland and how they are helping shape future filmmakers.
Local Impact
McNaughton’s plans to shoot future films in the Redlands area could increase interest in the region as a film location.
His success shows how local education and inspiration can translate into state-level recognition and opportunity.
By the Numbers
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The Very Scary Monster is a 19-minute film that was one of 13 student films screened at the LUMA Festival.
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Brodie was recognised with the Best Editor award and received a Blackmagic Speed Editor for his achievement.
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He is beginning his Bachelor of Screen and Media at QUT in Brisbane this month.
Zoom In
The film is described as “a comedic but surreal ride of absurdity,” where the main character, Jacob, is tormented by a malevolent presence named Timmy.
“My film was inspired by a dream I had when I was a kid where I was watching a vintage-looking horror movie which involved a creepy guy wearing a suit and top hat, and he was stalking a woman who appeared to be from the 1950’s,” McNaughton said.
“This one’s for anyone who doesn’t relate as much to mainstream horrors or comedies.”
Zoom Out
The TAFE QLD LUMA Film Festival celebrates student excellence in screen and media, supported by industry sponsors including Blackmagic Design, VideoPro, and RØDE.
TAFE QLD Film and TV Production Teacher Tom Francis praised McNaughton’s technical ability.
“Brodie was awarded Best Editor due to the impressive speed and skill with which he applied the complex editing techniques taught in class,” he said.
“The award of the ‘Blackmagic Speed Editor’ to Brodie recognises not only his technical precision, but his ability to craft a dynamic and engaging short film that reflects an exceptionally high level of editing skill.”
What To Look For Next?
As Brodie begins his Bachelor studies at QUT, he is expected to continue creating films that explore original concepts and visual storytelling. His plans to shoot future projects in Redlands Bay may give local residents a front-row seat to the production process.
The full 19-minute film The Very Scary Monster is now available on Brodie’s YouTube channel where fans of horror, comedy, and experimental filmmaking can watch the award-winning project for themselves.
