I guess I was lucky. By the time I was 10 years of age, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be a story-teller; to change people's outlooks on life through the medium of motion pictures.

1999 saw my completion of a Bachelor of Communications (dbl major in Film/TV) from Bond University on the Gold Coast (Australia). There, I learnt a great deal about the world of Film and TV, and particularly about our national cinema.

Now, in my youth, I was convinced that the best cinema in the world came from somewhere other than my home country. I, like many Australians, used to 'knock' the local industry for its brash, unassuming nature.

Little did I realise that during my years of study, I would be hooked by what many people consider is the most innovative, expressive cinema in the world.

So what changed my opinion?

I actually started watching Australian films. Masterworks such as Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975), Gallipoli (1981), Mad Max (1979), Romper Stomper (1992), Kiss or Kill (1997), Shine (1997) and Dark City (1998) revolutionised my way of looking at Australian film (and life).

Now, whether you have received this calling yet or not, I am certain that you will do so if you, like me, just give Australian film a chance.