A grassroots feature film led by a Mount Cotton filmmaker has secured a screening at SXSW Sydney, marking a major milestone for the project and its young Brisbane-area team.
Project Beginnings in Mount Cotton
The feature film 100% Pure Rage began when Mount Cotton filmmaker Haruki Ryles started drafting the screenplay at age 17 while working part-time. Early filming took place across Logan, Redland and nearby suburbs with support from friends and fellow students.
The first two acts were produced over 12 months on a budget of roughly $500, with early versions later screened at the University of Queensland Film Production Society. A GoFundMe campaign then helped fund the completion of the final act.
Mount Cotton Link and Collaborative Production
Ryles wrote, directed and edited the film while completing studies at TAFE and Griffith Film School. Production took around 23 months, including several months of visual effects.
The project involved students and peers from Griffith University, USQ, QUT, SAE, UQ and TAFE Queensland across cinematography, sound, producing and scoring. The film was completed for about $3,000.
Story, Style and Technical Approach
The film blends action, dark comedy and sci-fi, depicting Brisbane and Logan as a dystopian setting known as “The Void”. It follows a 23-year-old aspiring writer who becomes involved with a masked vigilante and an ex-convict as they attempt to dismantle a doomsday cult.
Martial arts-driven choreography, stylised graphics and improvisation shaped the film’s tone. Ryles’ experience in karate, boxing and Muay Thai influenced the staging of fight scenes, while an original score was produced by Griffith Film School peers.
Festival Screening and Recognition
100% Pure Rage was selected for SXSW Sydney and screened on 15 October at 3:30 p.m. at Palace Central Cinemas. It was also the only Queensland feature included in the festival’s program.
A premiere announcement confirmed a Q&A session at the event. The film later entered the AACTA feature film category, making it available for AACTA members to view and vote on.
Community Sentiment
Support across social media highlighted enthusiasm from collaborators and fellow film students. Reactions reflected shared pride in the achievement and the project’s progression from a high-school script to a festival-screened feature.
Next Steps for the Mount Cotton Filmmaker
The SXSW Sydney screening marks the first major festival milestone for the Mount Cotton filmmaker as he completes his studies and enters the industry. With the project now competing in the AACTA feature category, the team awaits further developments and opportunities.
Published 26-Nov-2025
Photo Credit: Haruki/Instagram
