Certificate of DISTINCTION - Youth Performance - Jake Cockburn
Short Film AFIN 267
A MESSAGE TO THE AUTHOR
Directed by 
Andrey Goulter
AFIN 2025 Winner · 2 awards
- 2025
- 16m
-
Australia - English
- PG
- Fantasy
Stills
2 frames
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Credits
Produced by
Cinematography
Editing
Production Design
Music & Sound
Visual Effects
Synopsis
After a lonely 12 year old boy stumbles upon a book that gives him the power to control his life and make his wishes come to existence, he realises what is truly important about life and destiny.
Director's Statement
I have been asked multiple times by my mother, “Do you think life is pre-determined, or do you think we get to choose our own destiny?”. I’d think about it each time, but the honest answer was always, “I don’t know”. No one knows. I don’t even have a sliver of knowledge that would lead me to give one or the other answer. But, WHAT IF you were given the power to control your life? Your destiny? What would you learn? I’ve watched many people around me insistently think about the future, trying to change it for the better. But it rarely works. I believe that the future is not something that can be in your control. However, something that is in your hands is the present. And how your life is now. What do you appreciate about your life and the people in it right now? I set out to make a family film that encapsulates moments of wonder and brings the audience through a fantastical journey and discovery of destiny.
What makes this one special
- Nominated in 3 AFIN categoriesBest Cinematography · Best Director · Best Youth Performance
- A student film
From the Judges
From the Judges
A quietly magical story about a boy, a bookseller, and the pull of his own destiny, this short carries the warmth of the fantasy films many of us grew up watching. Its effects work and production design drew genuine admiration from the panel, from the handcrafted books holding people's stories to the small conjurings of wonder, while the lighting and composition give every frame a deliberate, glowing style. The score lifts and settles exactly where it should, adding that extra touch of magic to the images.
Director's Biography
Andrey Goulter Director
Andrey Goulter is a Director passionate about creating films that entertain audiences with wonder, warmth, and a lot of heart, through themes that question and challenge perspectives on life. He is best known for his award-winning short film 'Feather', and his recently completed short film 'A Message to the Author', having just graduated from Griffith Film School. He sees film as a powerful art form and is dedicated to crafting stories that leave a lasting emotional impact.
Trailer
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Official laurels
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Verified by AFIN Winner · Best Student Short Film Download laurel Download certificate -
Verified by AFIN Winner · Best Visual Effects Download laurel Download certificate -
Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best Cinematography Download laurel Download certificate -
Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best Director Download laurel Download certificate -
Verified by AFIN Nominee · Best Youth Performance Download laurel Download certificate
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A MESSAGE TO THE AUTHOR was Winner of Best Student Short Film and Best Visual Effects and a Nominee for Best Cinematography, Best Director and Best Youth Performance at the AFIN International Film Festival 2025, a Top 100 Best Reviewed and IMDb-qualifying festival.
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- Open the AFIN International Film Festival event page on IMDb and choose the 2025 edition.
- Choose Edit (contribute), then Awards, and add your film under the category (Best Student Short Film, Best Visual Effects, Best Cinematography, Best Director and Best Youth Performance) with the outcome shown on your laurels above.
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