Josie Hess
Directing
Biography
Josie Hess (they/them) is a filmmaker and impact producer hailing from Gunaikurnai land. Josie’s work is visually driven and grounded in ethical storytelling; their creative endeavours have been recognised by The Guardian, The Feed, Filmmaker Magazine and Art Link, among others. They co-directed the feature documentary Morgana (2019), which premiered at Fantasia International Film Festival. Both their stop-motion short The Grave of Saint Oran (2020, dir. Jim Batt), and their film After the Smoke (2023) premiered at Sydney International Film Festival. They co-wrote the feature horror Lenore (2026, Dir. David Ward), which is currently screening at film festivals globally.
Known For
A lonely house-wife’s plan to end it all takes an unexpected turn when her last hurrah begins a radical journey of sexual exploration and personal re-invention.
Morgana
On the Irish island of Iona in the sixth century, two saints arrive ashore and try to build a chapel.
The Grave of St. Oran
Melinah is a sex worker, camgirl and activist with cerebral palsy, this short intimate documentary explores her work, philosophy, and the intersections of her identity.
All of Me
When a controversial influencer suddenly disappears, a terminally online sycophant goes hunting for answers, but comes face-to-face with the monstrosity of his own sins.
Lenore
An expecting mother, deeply troubled by and afraid of her unborn child, struggles to maintain her sanity and motherly instincts amidst a mess of medical imposition and mechanical oppression.
Womb
Wendy Farmer, housewife turned activist and founder of Voices of the Valley, recounts how the devastating Hazelwood mine fire led her to find her voice as an activist.