‘A memorial to my Dad’: Debut screenwriter shares story behind film

Writer Kari Hill has always been drawn to storytelling that holds space for emotion. This is evident in her screenwriting debut – Spirals, a short film about grief, healing and connection to Country, set against the stunning backdrop of the Illawarra escarpment.

“I’m passionate about heart-led narratives, and this project is a very personal one, drawn from my own lived experience of my Dad dying when I was just 13,” Kari says. “I wanted to explore how nature, memory, and cultural identity can guide us through even the most challenging times. This story is a memorial to my Dad and my way of honouring that journey and offering something to others who may be walking a similar path.”

After her dad's death, Kari turned to nature for solace. "I found myself looking to the bush, especially the escarpment and surrounding mountains here in the Illawarra, for some kind of clarity, for something grounding."

That inner journey has now crystallised into a semi-autobiographical story set locally, on the Wadi Wadi, Dharawal Country she's proud to call home.

"The film follows Brigid, a teenager who is grieving the loss of her father," Kari says. "She begins to spiral down, emotionally and physically, but eventually finds a path toward reconnection by immersing herself in the Illawarra bush, especially the mountains of Mt Kembla and Mt Keira.

"These sacred places help her rediscover a sense of belonging, purpose, and hope. It’s a film about grief, yes, but also about regeneration and the deep wisdom that Country can offer us when we’re lost.

"The title Spirals reflects the non-linear nature of grief. Healing doesn’t happen in a straight line,  it comes back in layers, in loops, like a spiral. Spirals are an ancient symbol and can be found in nature, our bodies and the cycles of our lives. There will be a constant reference to spirals throughout the film."

Kari is grateful to have support from Screen Illawarra, Women Illawarra and South Coast Writers Centre. Her debut short film also draws on a remarkable pool of local talent, including award-winning casting director Anousha Zarkesh, costume designer Wendy Cork, director of photography Jess Milne, award-winning director and producer Sharon Lewis (known for her short film Frances) and Wadi Wadi Elder, Dr Aunty Barbara Nicholson, who is the film's Aboriginal consultant.  

"Our producer, Antonio Barea, has brought a wealth of experience and commitment to the project," Kari says. "He’s played a key role in securing funding, building partnerships, and steering the development process.

"We also have support from my daughter and visual artist Ruby Hill-Nguyen, who is helping develop our visual blueprint through storyboarding."

Kari has a masters in journalism and her background is in community-based creative work. It wasn't until she signed up for screenwriting class with Graham Thorburn, a series run by Screen Illawarra and SCWC, that she realised that film might be the best medium for expressing her story in a visually grounded and poetic way.

"I’m drawn to films that take their time, that use silence, nature, and sensory storytelling to draw the audience in, and that’s the energy we’re bringing to Spirals," Kari says.

"I enjoy symbolism in film and absolutely adore reading anything on psychology, especially Carl Jung and Marion Woodman."

A fan of works by David Lynch and Wes Anderson, Kari says films that have inspired her make movies include Green Knight, the Arthurian fantasy adventure written and directed by David Lowery; Australian romantic drama Somersault by Cate Shortland; and Cargo, the Australian post-apocalyptic thriller by Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke.

"As a member of Screen Illawarra, I feel excited to be part of the growing screen community in this region," Kari says.

"My goal is to create something that speaks to the heart, to people who are grieving, who feel lost, who are trying to find their way back to something solid. I want Spirals to be a gentle but powerful reflection of what it means to break down and rebuild. It's also about honouring the Illawarra, not just as a backdrop, but as a living part of the story."

Spirals has had funding from Wollongong City Council’s Small Cultural Grants Program and Culture Bank Wollongong. The film was one of only 25 projects nationally to be selected for Creative Australia’s MATCH Lab Program, which will match up to $10,000 in donations during Kari's new crowdfunding campaign.

To support Kari, contribute via the Australian Cultural Fund's website or learn more at www.spiralsfilm.com.