Rising Ipswich filmmaker Jessica Cross is celebrating a remarkable string of achievements, taking home three major film awards—all before officially finishing high school.
The 18-year-old joined DJ Sparky and Glenn Smith on the Get Your Arts Into Gear program this week to reflect on a whirlwind year that has seen her gain national recognition for her short film, created entirely by herself.
Cross’ filmmaking journey began “on a whim,” entering her first ever film into the APEC Film Festival, a Brisbane-based competition for Year 11 and 12 students. To her surprise, she won Best Overall Film.
“It was kind of my first real film,” she laughed. “I entered just to see what would happen.”
That early success fuelled further momentum. Her film then claimed Best South East Queensland Youth Short Film at the Australia Independent Film Festival—up against entries from across the region.
But her biggest achievement came last weekend, when she took out the top youth filmmaking award in Australia at a national event hosted by Bond University. The accolade places Cross among the country’s most promising young creatives.
What makes her success even more extraordinary is that Cross wrote, directed, designed, costumed, edited and produced the film herself. Inspired by French New Wave cinema, the film is performed entirely in French—something that left even her interviewers stunned.
“I see film as an art form,” she said. “Directors like Tim Burton, Wes Anderson and Guillermo del Toro really inspire me. It’s not just dialogue—it’s visual storytelling.”
Recently graduating from school, Cross confirmed she plans to pursue filmmaking full-time.
Her award-winning film can be viewed on her YouTube channel Jessica Darling and via the BUFTA People’s Choice listings.
With talent well beyond her years, Ipswich may soon be claiming another globally recognised filmmaker.
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