A BRABHAM filmmaker is preparing to premiere his own feature-length psychological thriller at Luna Cinemas this November, after spending years working to bring the project to life.

Shaun Gonzalvo is the writer, producer and lead actor of Because You’re Mine, a 90-minute independent film made entirely in WA with a local cast and crew.

With nine years of experience as an independent filmmaker, Mr Gonzalvo was determined to create opportunities for local creatives and prove that ambitious films can be made in WA without major studio backing or having to move interstate.

Working alongside director Lilliana Benger and cinematographer Reilly Stewart, Mr Gonzalvo brought his story to the screen, exploring themes of grief, identity and loss.

Along with initial problems the film itself also changed significantly during production.

What began as a more conventional thriller evolved into a darker and more personal exploration of grief, identity and what can happen when losing someone also means losing part of yourself.

“I wanted to explore grief, not just the experience of losing someone, but the feeling of losing yourself before the loss, and then trying to find your way back to who you are while you’re grieving,” Mr Gonzalvo said.

For Mr Gonzalvo, however, Because You’re Mine represents something bigger than getting one independent film made.

Having worked as an indie filmmaker for nine years, he wants the film to challenge the idea that ambitious young creatives need to leave Western Australia to build careers in the screen industry.

“We’re constantly told, especially as creatives from Perth, that we’re ‘nobodies’ unless we move somewhere else,” Gonzalvo said.

“I didn’t want Perth to simply be a backdrop. I wanted it to feel like a Perth, Western Australia film, made by Perth people, with our own creatives given the opportunity to contribute their talent and have their work seen.”

Because You’re Mine will premiere at Luna Cinemas on Wednesday, November 25, followed by a Q&A with the creative team.

As the film has been made entirely independently, the team is now looking at film festival opportunities and exploring options for distribution, with the hope of securing a wider release across Australia.