Coonamble's emerging film-maker Kaelyn Ward, has been announced as a finalist in the 2022 International SmartFone Flick Fest.

The SmartFone Flick Fest is Australia's international smartphone film festival for filmmakers of all ages from all over the world.

Kaelyn's short film was selected from over 300 entries from countries including China, Africa, USA, UK, France, Australia and more. Other regional NSW finalists are from Ulladulla, Braidwood and Inverell, showcasing just how wide- spread the competition is.

Her film 'Thief', explores a sci- fi, post apocalyptic world, featuring a girl, portrayed by Kaelyn, surviving on her own after an attack killed everyone she knows. The short film goes for two and a half minutes and is filmed in one singular shot.

Kaelyn says that the film had no initial inspiration, rather just an idea from an abandoned house in Coonamble.

"It was a very last minute idea. I remembered a friend of mine owned an abandoned house, I asked if I could borrow it for the afternoon as I thought it would be the perfect location to make my film idea come to life."

"Shooting the film took a couple of hours, but knowing I had to film it on a phone made it easier to film from corners to complete the vision I had for the film".

"I remember watching it back when I finished editing it, wondering whether it would even be good enough to enter."

"Receiving the feedback that they loved it was just amazing," she said.

According to Kaelyn, filming on a smartphone has both its advantages and disadvantages. 

"The main disadvantage is the quality of the shots. Filming on a smart phone, no matter what model of phone it is, will never be as clear as a camera. The advantages are that you can get into all the nooks and crannies to get the right shot at the right angle. A large, expensive camera just would not be able to fit," she said.

The title shot of Kaelyn's mini single-shot smartfone film 'Thief'. IMAGE SUPPLIED.

Kaelyn was very surprised to find out she was a finalist in the international competition.

"I entered the competition wanting to gain a feel for the process and the competition, not even thinking I would be successful!,"

"I was so happy and excited to receive the email outlining that I was a finalist. It was a huge surprise!" she said remarkably.

The SmartFone Flick Fest Gala Finals will be held on Saturday 5 November at the Actors Centre Australia in Leichhardt. The event will feature a red- carpet, photo wall, videographer and live music, with film screening and award ceremony to follow.

Films are divided into three different categories including featured film, standard short film and micro films, with over $50,000 in prizes being awarded across the multiple categories.

Kaelyn is excited for her future within film. She wants to continue producing films and entering into other film competitions.

"I have so many amazing visions for films that I cannot wait to see come to life".

"Filming and producing started as a just a hobby, but now it is so much more"

"I am going to enter a film I am currently producing into other competitions and hopefully it goes well. I am just going to keep doing what I am doing now and see where it takes me," Kaelyn said.