The young Sunbury actor has starred in the short film which won the ‘Best Australian Short’ award at the Melbourne International Film Festival earlier this month.

Frankie Gillespie-McKay, a Killara Primary School and DARE Drama Sunbury student, played the role of Augie in the 2024 Australian short film The Meaningless Daydreams of Augie & Celeste, directed by Pernell Marsden.

Earlier this month, the film won the VicScreen Erwin Rado Award for Best Australian Short Film at the Melbourne International Film Festival.

In June, director Pernell Marsden won the Rouben Mamoulian Award at the Sydney Film Festival for Best Australian Director in the short film competition.

Frankie said she enjoyed playing the role of Augie and working with the director.

“It was the best experience I could have had making this film and I feel so lucky that it won two awards… I’m so happy for Pernell Marsden who won for best director because she’s amazing and made it so much fun for me,” Frankie said.

“The movie is about two girls and their friendship and how it changes when something big happens. It’s also about kissing a scarecrow. I enjoyed playing Augie because she’s a lot like me – kissing the scarecrow was fun too,” she said.

Frankie said her first project was acting, which she started doing last year and “fell in love” with the craft.

“I love acting because I get to be different people and experiment with their feelings. I also like all the people I get to meet and the new friends I get to make,” she said.

“I’m currently in drama school and I want to be on stage. I also want to be in a Wonder Bread commercial, which I’ve been dreaming about.”

Details: miff.com.au/program/film/the-meaningless-daydreams-of-augie-celeste

Oscar Parry