Breathless Films is creating FEATURE FILMS that challenge the way cinema is created in Australia and abroad. We believe that the best art comes from limitation and necessity.
Responding to a lack of support for independent and emerging filmmakers in Australia, Breathless Films is establishing a sustainable film production ecosystem as a platform for a new wave of micro-budget feature films. It is our aim to support, unashamedly, contemporary film auteurs who are telling bold and uncompromising Australian stories.
Producers and founders Ulysses Oliver and Ben Ferris believe that with current lower-cost technologies and distribution platforms there is the opportunity, now as never before, to merge creative risk-taking with commercial viability.
Breathless Films aims to foster a diverse community of Sydney filmmakers from their Newtown studio, by providing facilities and resources, sharing skills and experience, connecting to industry networks, and offering much-needed cash budgets.
Ulysses Oliver
ULYSSES OLIVER brings over two decades of experience to the media production landscape, serving as the Managing Director and Founder of Select Field. His leadership is evident in the establishment of the Sandfly Film Festival, a platform that showcased international shorts in diverse locations such as Sydney, regional NSW, Paris, New York, Tokyo, LA, and Bogotá. A graduate of the Sydney Film School with a Diploma of Film completed in 2008, Ulysses has excelled in writing, directing, and producing across genres. Notable works in his extensive portfolio include the award-winning short film Amanecer (2009) and The Telegram Man (2011), featuring Jack Thompson. Demonstrating versatility, he co-wrote the feature film The Perfect Weapon (2016). As a founding director of Breathless Films, Ulysses has contributed significantly to producing five feature films. Notable projects include “Lonesome” directed by Craig Boreham, “The Longest Weekend” helmed by Molly Haddon and written by Jorrden Daley, and “Birdeater” by Jack Clark and Jim Weir. In 2023, Ulysses made his feature directorial debut with “Love Road”, premiering at Sydney Film Festival. His commitment to storytelling and pushing creative boundaries continues to shape his legacy in cinematic expression.
Ben Ferris
DR BEN FERRIS, a luminary in film education, founded the esteemed Sydney Film School (SFS) in 2004, shaping its principles around Courage, Curiosity, and Compassion. Over his fourteen-year directorship (2004-2018), SFS became a prolific incubator of cinematic talent, with 1000+ alumni making significant contributions globally. A hallmark of SFS’s success is the creation of over 1000 student short films, a testament to Ferris’s commitment to hands-on, immersive learning. These films, crafted within SFS’s educational philosophy, have garnered international acclaim, featured in 20 Academy-Accredited festivals. Beyond education, Ferris, an AACTA-nominated producer, has left an indelible mark with films like “Three Blind Mice” (2008), “Penelope” (2009), “Lonesome” (2022), “The Longest Weekend” (2022), “Tennessine” (2023), and the acclaimed winner of Sydney Film Festival’s audience award, “Birdeater” (2023). His directorial finesse is evident in documentaries such as “57 Lawson” (2016) and “In(di)visible” (2020). As a board director of Documentary Australia, Ferris continues to shape the documentary filmmaking landscape, while fostering fresh narrative stories and solidifying his enduring legacy in the world of cinema.
CC Williams
DR C.C. Williams is a creative force in film and architecture, blending storytelling and design across industries. As a producer, production designer, costume designer, and graphic artist, her film credits include Tennessine (2023), Love Road (2022), A Message for Jane (2011), and Nine (2008). She also designed the branding for Breathless and contributed to its visual identity. With a PhD in the Built Environment and over 20 years of experience, Dr. Williams has helped shape iconic Sydney landmarks like the Bondi Pavilion, Paddington Reservoir, Eternity Playhouse, and the Walsh Bay Theatre District during her tenure at Tonkin Zulaikha Greer. Now at Hayball, she continues her involvement with innovative architectural projects while bringing her deep design expertise to cinematic storytelling. Dr. Williams also remains actively involved with Breathless, furthering her creative contributions to all our projects.
Julian Oliver
JULIAN OLIVER is a Sound Designer, Composer and Recordist based in Sydney, Australia. Active since 2018, Julian has worked on over a dozen productions short film, feature film and music video projects within Australia and has recently completed work as sound designer and recordist on a five feature film slate for Breathless Films as well as composer for one of these films, a romantic drama, Love Road. Julian is attached as Sound Recordist and Designer on Breathless Films’ 2022 slate of films. Julian is also an accomplished musician with multiple releases out now on all major streaming platforms.