Join Lianne Mackessy and David Robinson-Smith in conversation with Rowan Woods for a Directors’ Deep Dive on making award-winning short films, in conversation with Rowan Woods. From Tropfest success to festival and awards recognition, Lianne and David will cover the creative and practical choices that help a short film stand out — from developing the idea and directing performance to finding tone, building momentum and navigating the festival circuit. An honest conversation for directors at any stage, this session will explore what it takes to make short-form work that cuts through.

Lianne Mackessy is an Australian writer, director and actor, and the winner of Tropfest 2026 for her short film Crescendo. Her work includes the MIFF-premiering Not a Wallflower, the ABC iview documentary What Was It Like?, and Hopeful Romantic, which premiered at Flickerfest in 2023.

David Robinson-Smith is an award-winning Australian writer and director based in Budgewoi on NSW’s Central Coast. His short film Mud Crab (2022) earned him the ADG Award for Best Direction in a Student Film and Best Director at St Kilda Film Festival. He was later nominated for Best Direction in a Short Film at the 2023 ADG Awards for We Used to Own Houses, and has since been developing his first feature projects.

The Australian Directors Guild with the University of Technology Sydney present the Directors’ Deep Dive 2026 series featuring Australian screen directors in conversation, introduced by Associate Professor Alex Munt (UTS) and moderated by acclaimed director Rowan Woods (ADG).

As the ADG continues to advocate for sustainable careers and recognition of directors as co-authors, this session will provide insights for both established and emerging practitioners, not least on the need to protect directors’ creative rights amid shifting production models.

Free for ADG members, book here. 

5pm Wednesday April 1st

UTS Bon Marche Studio

755 Harris Street, Ultimo, NSW