At just 15 years old, young Perth Filmmaker Ziva Taylor wrote, directed, shot, and edited a short film that would go on to win Best International Short Film at the Vancouver Independent Film Festival. Now 16, Ziva joined Doug on Table Talk this week to share the inspiring story behind Are We OK? – a heartfelt film about friendship, growth, and being seen.

From Homeschooling to Filmmaking

Ziva’s journey into the world of film began not in a classroom, but through playful filmmaking at home with her younger sister. “We’d make little trailers on a tablet — more funny than serious — but I was always drawn to telling stories,” she shared.

Transitioning from homeschooling to joining the creative tech-based learning environment at IDEA Academy in Perth was a major shift. Gone were the flexible days of writing classes and creative excursions, in their place came early wake-ups, structured lessons, and formal project work – including a year-end showcase where Ziva knew she wanted to create something she could truly be proud of.

The Birth of Are We OK?

The result was Are We OK? – a coming-of-age drama about a teenage girl navigating the emotional toll of friendship loss. “It’s not a comedy,” Ziva laughs, referencing her earlier short film Karen Planet, which she created with fellow homeschoolers. “This one’s about difficult friendships and how many girls experience them. I just wanted others to feel seen.”

And seen it was. With no crew other than herself and a cast of talented young actors from theatre backgrounds, Ziva handled every aspect of production – from writing and storyboarding, to cinematography and editing – even learning DaVinci Resolve entirely on her own.

“Editing took me almost all of January,” she said. “Most days I was just at the kitchen table working on it.”

Surprise, You’ve Won!

Ziva entered the film into five festivals, including Vancouver, but when her name was called out on the night as the winner of Best International Short Film, she was stunned. “I didn’t even know I’d been nominated! I looked up and saw my name on the big cinema screen and was just… floored.”

Thanks to a last-minute community-driven fundraising effort led by IDEA Academy, Ziva and her mum were able to make the trip to Vancouver in person. “We raised $8,000 in less than 48 hours, it was incredible. And being there with my mum, who studied in Vancouver years ago, made it all the more special.”

Big Dreams on the Horizon

So, what’s next for this young powerhouse? “I want to be a director. The kind of director people talk about. Like, ‘Have you seen that Ziva Taylor film?’ I love working with actors, building a shared vision, and telling stories that make people feel understood.”

While she’s still exploring genres (drama, sci-fi, and coming-of-age are current favourites), her mission is clear: “I want to make films that help people feel seen. That say, ‘You’re not alone.’”

Ziva’s passion, heart, and vision are clear, and we can’t wait to see what stories she brings to life next. Here at Sonshine we wish Ziva all the best for a bright future!

🎬 Watch Are We OK?

You can find Are We OK? on YouTube:
👉 Are We OK? A Short Film About Female Friendships by Ziva Filmmaker

Follow Ziva on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and updates:
📷 @ziva.taylor

Listen to the full chat with Ziva below!