'Stand Up'

Short Documentary Film

A tenacious 25-year-old comedian decides to pack her bags and chase her dream on the comedy stages of Brisbane.

Official Shortlist - Australian Women's Film Festival (2026)

Synopsis

In this female-led observational documentary, 25-year-old Emily is a tenacious young comedian who leaves behind the familiarity of her hometown to chase her dream on the comedy stages of Brisbane. After years working as a bartender, she has always been drawn to settings where stories are shared through laughter. Now, only months into performing stand-up at Melbourne open mic nights, she takes the leap into an unfamiliar city, hoping to turn her passion into a career.

Director's Statement

When the subject of our original green-lit project - a newly divorced father in his 40s chasing his long-held dream of stand-up comedy - unexpectedly dropped out just four weeks before production, we were more prepared for what came next than we realised. The setback became an opportunity for the crew and I to pivot, shaping a new story that still reflected the themes we were drawn to; finding your footing amid life's uncertainty.

While scrolling through the #standupcomedybrisbane tag on Instagram in search of a new documentary subject, I came across Emily's account. She had just 80 followers, three stand-up posts, and a bio that read, "come and join the adventures of this wannabe stand-up comedian". She seemed close to my age, which was instantly compelling. It felt like she had only just begun her chaotic leap into the stand-up scene, and I knew I wanted to follow it with her.

Emily's story resonated with me. I feel that your 20s are some of the most vulnerable years of your life. It’s when you're taking risks, finding your feet, fighting for your place, and failing over and over and over again.

That night, Emily messaged me a screenshot of her plane tickets booked to fly from Melbourne to Brisbane in a month's time. I had a quiet feeling this was how the project

was always meant to unfold.

'Stand Up' is a story for all the underdogs out there. It represents anyone with a dream who has ever questioned whether they belong or if it's even possible. It’s about resilience, identity, and the courage to look inward, find your truth, and stand up for your place in the world, especially at a time when pursuing a creative career feels more challenging than ever.