A kid wants to bask in the silly freedom of being completely alone, but another curious boy won’t seem to go away.

Farmland stretches and undulates. Another morning creeps over the hills, this day will repeat again and again. Kid moves through this haze of dusty yellow with a certain verve. He likes being alone. He tests the limits of complete solitude with outbursts that would seem a little strange if he had company.

Kid brings a book on native plants into the sun-bleached paddocks, in hopes to make sure they are really there. But a curious boy disrupts his perfect setting, becoming a warped mirror of self-perception.

Kid and boy are unapologetically curious and frank. They don’t not like each other... but they are certainly not sure. the two boys have simply bumped into each others solo existence, and are existing adjacently for the time being.

“The two boys circle each other, both equally confused as to what comes next.

Directors Note

“A piercingly quiet portrayal of youth, solitude, and connection.”

Small Flowers is Written and Directed by Milla Kime, a visual storyteller currently studying a Bachelor of Communications (Media Arts and Production/ Writing and Publishing) at the University of Technology, Sydney. She takes inspiration from her own context of growing up in rural Australia, which emerges in her work in film, photography, writing and theatre/ movement direction. Since 2020, she has been involved in the development and direction of youth acting groups, collaborating with organisations such as Upstage Youth Theatre and welcoming young regional actors into the arts.

Milla often approaches story telling with an acute perceptiveness of human emotion, allowing a focused contemplation of the moments that contribute to the broader definition of our lives. Small Flowers hopes to cultivate personal reflection, pause, compassion and appreciation for the peculiarities of being.

Nia Chen

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Nia Chen is a visual storyteller working across photography, film, and design. She is currently completing her final year of a Bachelor of Media Arts and Production at UTS, and is building a career in both independent and commercial creative industries, primarily as a cinematographer for narrative, documentary, and branded work. Much of Nia’s work explores emotional tensions rooted in her lived experience as a diasporic Chinese woman. Across mediums, Nia seeks to construct immersive atmospheres that give form to interiority, translating the intimate, domestic, and subconscious into textured visual experiences. Her most notable work to date includes cinematography for the documentary Signals From Home and photography in a range of independent fashion editorials.
Jonathan Booy

Editor
Jonathan Booy, Editor, is a Media Arts Production student at UTS with a passion for filmmaking and video editing, with over 5 years of experience in Adobe Premiere Pro and other editing software. He runs his social media account showcasing a visual portfolio, while also editing and participating in multiple short films and documentaries for UTS project work, including Bondi Brushstrokes, Infinite, and Mamiya RB67.
Tallulah Simpson

First Assistant Director
Assistant Director/ Creative Supervisor, Tallulah Simpson, is an artist, filmmaker and performer. With extensive experience in theatre and music both on and backstage, she is deeply passionate about collaborating with, uplifting and supporting female and gender nonconforming artists and students. Working as a performer, composer and teacher for the House that Dan Built since 2021, she has had the privilege of running weekly singing and songwriting classes for young girls, as well as running regional outreach workshops in performance and music around NSW since 2022. Currently studying Media Arts and Production at UTS, her storytelling has taken on new form, working in directing, production design and cinematography on several short films and music videos. Tallulah is led strongly by her passions in female and queer representation and support and arts accessibility.

BAXTER STENZ AS BOY

Baxter Stenz is a natural actor mature beyond his years. He has mastered a keen sense of confidence that translates through his ease on set and engaging presence on screen. Baxter has studied acting for many years at Upstage Youth Theatre in the Hunter Valley. He hopes to move into the industry and continue to create meaningful films.

ALBERT LILLEY AS KID

Albert Lilley is a first time actor who excelled with his natural presence and diligent attitude. Whether he pursue acting or not, he is glad to have a memento of his own childhood and the property on which he grew up. Albert loves to fish, and is excellent soccer player.