Far North actor and director James Ivor filming debut feature in Cairns

A Far North actor and director hopes his debut feature, currently being filmed in Cairns, will elevate the region’s profile in the film industry. SEE THE SET PICS

New independent feature film Storm Bird is currently being shot in locations around Gordonvale and Babinda, based on the early life of Cairns writer and actor James Ivor. Actor Anthony Phelan, writer, director and actor James Ivor, director Eryk Lenartowicz and actor Frank Joel on set with the rest of the film crew at St Michael's Catholic Church in Gordonvale. Picture: Brendan Radke

A Far North actor and director hopes his debut feature, currently being filmed in Cairns, will elevate the region’s profile in the film industry.

Storm Bird, a comedy / drama written and co-directed by James Ivor, a NIDA-trained actor from Cairns, is filming for a total of three weeks in the region, with an almost wholly local cast and crew.

“We haven’t seen North Queensland on a major scale and in a major film that’s been exported,” Mr Ivor said of his decision to base the film in the Far North.

“We’ve seen the Outback, we’ve seen the beach and urban (Australian landscapes).

“It’s so pretty up here … but it’s also wild and scary – the crocodiles, the rainforest – it’s sort of everything.”

Starring acclaimed Australian stage actor Anthony Phelan, Canadian artist Serena ven Sandalwood and Ivor as leads, the film follows three people, each with a life-changing event about to take place who are forced to spend a weekend together.

Writer, director and actor James Ivor on set with actor Frank Joel (left) at St Michael's Catholic Church in Gordonvale. Picture: Brendan Radke

Actors Anthony Phelan and Frank Joel film a scene at St Michael's Catholic Church in Gordonvale. Picture: Brendan Radke

“You could say it’s a bit of an arm wrestle of social and education divides in Australia,” Mr Ivor said.

“Three people from vastly different social classes spend a weekend together discussing life and the future and sort of agonising over the life changing event that each of them is about to face.”

Mr Ivor is co-directing alongside Eryk Lenartowicz and producing with Caden Pearson, with local talent Andre Scholz serving as a co-producer.

Key filming locations have included the Babinda State Hotel, Peries IGA in Manoora and Saint Michael’s Church in Gordonvale, as well as some local builders’ construction sites, all of whom have been “incredible”, Mr Ivor said.

Co-director Eryk Lenartowicz keeps a close eye on the filming of a scene. Picture: Brendan Radke

He said his “dream” is for the film to debut at a major international film festival, such as Sundance.

“We’re talking to distributors now. We haven’t locked in anything … but one of the international film festivals is where we’re aiming.”

Mr Ivor said he hopes the film will be released in 2026.

Originally published as Far North actor and director James Ivor filming debut feature in Cairns