Martin's film skills gain global attention

Martin Doyle is earning recognition for his creativity and vision, with his short film A Dog’s Tale selected for screenings at the West End Film Festival Brisbane, New York Indie Film Festival, and now, the NZ Indie Film Festival.

The 60-year-old semi-retired former electrician by trade—who completed a Diploma of Screen and Media (CUA51020) at TAFE Queensland’s Nambour campus in 2022—achieved the feat after writing, acting, directing and producing the seven-minute and 55-second action/comedy short film on the Sunshine Coast.  

Martin said he was “absolutely wrapped” when he was informed his creation would appear as one of 50 films from across the globe at the New York Indie Film Festival in June, and that it had earned him a nomination for the Best Writer Award.

“For the first premiere of A Dog’s Tale to be in America—the heart of the film industry—and receive such a positive response is incredible,” Martin said.

His film was then selected to screen alongside 59 other Australian short films and music videos at the West End Film Festival in Brisbane later that month, where he and the crew were able to experience the audience’s reaction live for the first time.

“It was nerve-wracking for me, but they really liked it!” Martin said.

That much was made clear when Martin’s film won the Viewers’ Choice Award for Best Action/Comedy at the West End Film Festival.

“To receive that recognition…it gives high-end professionals a chance to see what you’re capable of. Being an independent filmmaker, my work is self-funded, self-written, self-produced, so this is proof I can still get the job done,” he said.

Then in August came another surprise – A Dog’s Tale was nominated and will feature in the New Zealand Independent Film Festival on Monday 6 October.

An avid writer who was needing a change in career, Martin was initially drawn to screen writing when he decided to enrol in TAFE Queensland’s Diploma of Screen and Media (CUA51020).

“I couldn’t find a screen writing-specific course on the Sunshine Coast, but the diploma had a module dedicated to it, was a well recommended course, and was available close to home. I also knew it would help me improve my computer literacy, so I decided to jump on it and learn the whole lot,” Martin said.

“I really enjoyed learning how to create a whole project from start to finish – the whole process. While I’d still like to focus on writing and make a living selling scripts, it’s been essential having skills in all film making areas.

“In this industry, you need to jump at any role you can get so you can get you foot in the door, and then you can go from there into whatever department you’re most drawn to.”

While returning to study as a mature-aged student was daunting, Martin said the support he received made gaining the skills he needed for his venture into the industry much easier.

“The teachers were great and really helped me through any challenges I had. I was the eldest in a classroom of recent school leavers, so some things like editing were challenges as I’d never done them before, but they were very patient,” Martin said.

Currently employed as a cameraman filming rugby league games for TV sports on the weekends, Martin has been determined to grow his experience in the film industry since graduating in late 2022. With this in mind, he has also worked for local film incubator Showdown as a gaffer on four short films in 2023 and a production coordinator on four short films in 2024, where he made valuable industry connections that helped bring A Dog’s Tale to life.

“If someone is looking for experience, there are a lot of volunteers needed on amateur and funded projects, and that’s really the best way to gain experience on set and meet people. You’ve got to start somewhere.”

While he’s still celebrating his success, Martin has his eye on the future, and is currently applying for funding for his next film project.

“I have a new short film script I am going to produce, if I can achieve funding for it. I have set locations and actors signed up with agreement forms, all here on the Sunshine Coast – 100 per cent pre-production, production and post production,” he said.