A pulsing red glow slowly illuminating a rundown motel bedroom.
A couple, physically close, yet so emotionally distant from one another.
Once Ethereal follows a young couple, Ollie and Liv, through their whirlwind romance and subsequent deterioration of their relationship, following a significant family tragedy.
My name is Matthew Higgs, and I wrote and directed Once Ethereal, my debut short film, which was released online in January this year. I first wrote the script in late 2022 while travelling across the country, inspired by a boost of creativity that came from being in unfamiliar places. What started as a simple idea, slowly developed into a project that would span the next three years.
We shot the film over six days in September 2023, moved through post-production in 2024 and held a small festival run in 2025. Like many other independent short films, the process was long and challenging especially while juggling work, other creative projects and everyday life, but we persisted and it was truly amazing to see it finally come together.
The film would simply not exist without the generosity of an incredible group of creatives, both cast and crew who volunteered their time and talent to bring this vision to life. I am also forever grateful to our supports, including family, friends, colleagues and even strangers who contributed our fundraising campaign and helped make the film possible.
Producers Adrian Dias, Jake Whitford and Tom Green were instrumental in getting this film made. From organising equipment and locations, to managing casting and logistics, each of them took ownership of their role and ensured the production stayed on track. Watching each of them continue to pave their way in the industry has been genuinely inspiring.
Our cinematographer, Darcy Michell brought Once Ethereal to life visually in a way that exceeded my expectations – his working earning him Best Cinematography at the Melbourne International
CINEVERSE Film Festival. Despite tight schedules and budget limitations, Darcy approached each setup with a calm, no-fuss attitude. He simply just gets the job done, time and time again. Since this film, we have collaborated on several projects, including my next directorial work, MODEL. His ability to problem- solve and elevate every single frame is something I deeply admire.
Our composer, Lachlan Wilson crafted a score that perfectly encapsulates the films emotion. The music process was, surprisingly, the most seamless part of the entire production. From just a single reference track, Lachlan was able to create a score that now feels inseparable from the images we captured. I still remember the first sample he sent through and the excitement I had to place it against the visuals.
The cast was led by the amazing Majella Davis, whose performance the film relied so heavily upon.
Getting to act opposite Majella was a real treat, and I feel I learnt so much. Her confidence and charisma are magnetic, but she also brings a real vulnerability to the character of Liv in a way that sticks with audiences long after the credits roll.
During its festival run, Once Ethereal screened at:
· SydFest Independent Film Festival,
· Melbourne International CINEVERSE Film Festival and
· Simply Shorts Film Festival
It won the following awards:
· Best Awareness Award – SydFest Independent Film Festival
· Best Cinematography – Melbourne International CINEVERSE Film Festival
· Best Live Action Short Film – Simply Shorts Film Festival
Once Ethereal marks the beginning of my filmmaking journey as a writer/director, and I’m so glad it got started with story.
The film is now available to watch on YouTube: