The Australian film company, Birdland Films, chose Cowra as the set of their upcoming short film project earlier this year. 

“Cattle” will showcase rural areas in the Cowra district including the Saleyards, and has given locals the opportunity to star on the silver screen. 

Director and writer Kerinne Jenkins and producer Katie Amos said they had a personal connection to the area. 

“She (Kerinne) said that this area is her favourite place in the world,” Ms Amos said. 

“A connection that started when friends moved here more than a decade ago.

“It was while helping out with cattle work on the Johnsons’ farm that she realised she wanted to make a film here.

“For me as a producer, and having also grown up on a cattle farm just out of Gunnedah, the story certainly resonated and we’re very excited to be filming Cattle in the Cowra region where it was first inspired.”

The short film, which the makers hope will lead to a larger project, focuses on the story of 16-year-old Sarah, who lives on a rural property with her sister and mother, who is suffering with a brain tumour. 

Ms Amos said the story was based on Ms Jenkins’ experience as a teenager. 

“She drew on her own experiences of growing up, with the fears of losing her mum to cancer in order to find Sarah’s story,” she said. 

The makers of the film have made various call-outs for their cast, including the leads and extras, locations and for vehicles to use on the set. 

Ms Amos said the people of Cowra have really gotten behind the project, with plenty of people auditioning for the different roles. 

“It’s an opportunity to connect with the community,” Ms Amos said. 

The team have already had support from local organisations and businesses in making the film a reality. 

“We’ve had great support so far from The Corridor Project and Cowra High School and we’d absolutely love to acknowledge that,” Ms Amos said. 

For more information, visit www.birdlandfilms.com.au/cattlefilm-1/

Shooting will commence on Monday, April 24 through to April 28.