Nagle Catholic College graduate Ziggy Abbott’s film Emanation a finalist in national Blue Heeler Film Festival

Ziggy Abbott, who graduated from Nagle Catholic College just weeks ago, was a finalist in the national Blue Heeler Film Festival, but the budding filmmaker said it was not about winning. “It was more about creating something that I felt passionate about, about a topic that I felt was relevant and important, and the goal of ending up proud of my own work,” Ziggy said. Their film, Emanation, was one of 11 finalists in the secondary category of the competition, which announced winners last Sunday at the official screening in Muswellbrook, New South Wales. Ziggy’s love for film has been brewing for years. “I have always enjoyed watching films since I was little, just as much as anyone else, but definitely in more recent years, I have really gotten into the film field,” they said. Their journey started with drama, as a self-proclaimed “drama kid” who loved performing and creating skits. This early interest in storytelling and performance would eventually lead Ziggy down the path of filmmaking. The turning point came in Year 10 when Ziggy had the opportunity to choose courses for the final two years of high school. Ziggy decided to leave maths class behind, in favor of media production and analysis, in order to hone their skills. “I have really found a passion in that class over the two years I’ve been in it,” they said. Ziggy sources inspiration from personal relationships, and looks to the film industry to help reimagine their creativity. Media production and analysis teacher Marissa Williams has been instrumental in helping Ziggy fall in love with film production. Ziggy is setting aside next year for local travel, work and creating film for fun while they save to buy their own camera. Having already received an early offer to Murdoch University for a bachelor of creative media with an undergraduate major in screen production, Ziggy is gearing up to take the initial steps in their fledgling film career. Ziggy’s interests extend beyond filmmaking; they also have a passion for climate activism and biology conservation, hoping to find time to pursue those interests somewhere in the mix.