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» » Waltzing Tilda (2017)

Short summary

When Tilda wakes up to find herself the last human on earth she goes on a journey along with her bunny rabbit Shane, experiencing both the immense joy and crippling loneliness of a world without humans.

Shot with a skeleton crew over the course of 10 days in Sydney, Australia.

Shot entirely on location except for one studio shot, the smashing of the museum display cabinet.

Director Jonathan Wilhelmsson was sick for the majority of the shoot, calling it "filmmaking on hard mode".

Indiana Kwong who plays Tilda's friend is also the owner of Bandit the Rabbit. She acted as animal wrangler as well as acting out the voice of Shane on set.

Warren Coleman, writer & director of Happy Feet (2006) worked on the film as a story editor.

Principal photography started in June 2016 and filming took place at the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Mrs Macquaries Point and Watson's Bay among other locations.

A digital painting technique was used to show Tilda by herself in the middle of streets when actually she was surrounded by busy crowds, this technique is demonstrated on the director's youtube channel.

The film was a very personal project for Jonathan Wilhelmsson, who described it as an exploration of both his own personal need for both human company and solitude and the philosophy of loneliness.

Winner of Best Drama Short at the Stockholm Independent Film Festival in 2017.

Winner of six awards at Dalarnas Filmfestival 2017 in Sweden. Best Film, Best Director, Best Editor, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design and the Audience Award.

Winner of five awards at the 25th Sydney Film School Festival. Best Film, Best Director, Best Producer, Best Editor and the Audience Award. The festival was attended by George Miller, director of Mad Max.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Forcestalker
    I have seen a lot of short films. I was a student at the Sydney Film School and watched all of the film shown at the annual 2 and 3 day festivals for 2 years, close to 160 shorts. This was the best one. Easily.Production value and atmosphere better than any student film you will ever see, with gorgeous cinematography, awesome cg effects, ambitious ideas, a witty funny script, a killer soundtrack and excellent performances. The most important part of the film, however, is that is has a heart and soul and is a seamlessly woven examination of the human condition, but is never pretentious or overly indulgent (as student shorts tend to be as well) but stays entertaining throughout. A serious achievement and a film to celebrate.
  • comment
    • Author: Ynneig
    Proving once more that whatever our minds can dream up we can now do thanks to technology we can access more readily than ever before, Australian short film Waltzing Tilda is a technically brilliant and unique student film that should prove a career defining moment for all involved.

    The winner of the 2016 Sydney Film School Festival awards for Best Director and Audience Award amongst others, this done dirt cheap effort by rising Sweden born/Australian based director Jonathan Wilhelmsson mixes in Donnie Darko like otherworldly vibes (rabbit included) as we're thrust into a people-less Sydney landscape with troublemaking Tilda, who wanders the streets and sights of the famed harbor city sometimes blowing things up, sometimes strolling around in the buff and other times just spending quality time with her pet rabbit Shaun.

    It's an impressive effort by Wilhelmsson, with the digital effects work his created from a graffiti clad Sydney Opera House to a population zero streetscape as good as you'll see in not only a short film but a feature length film but what's most impressive of all is the fact Wilhelmsson doesn't lose site of the heart needed in films both short or long in length and we get that over 15 minutes with Holly Fraser's sure to be attention grabbing turn as Tilda.

    We're quickly made aware that Tilda is a bit of a lost soul. From her missed calls on her phones from family and friends, through to her aimlessly walking the bustling streets of Sydney before the mysterious population decrease, Tilda has a lot to see and a missing part of her that is holding her back and Fraser's turn is a real credit to the actress who must surely be considered one of the countries rising stars on the back of this performance.

    Final Say –

    When a film as assured and confidently put together as Waltzing Tilda comes along its safe to say filmmaking is alive and well and perhaps as strong as it ever was on our fair Australian shores.

    An odd, charming and technically marvellous film school effort, this is the short film of the year and an exciting introduction to the movie making mind of Wilhelmsson and the continued development of impressive young actress Fraser.

    4 talking rabbits out of 5
  • comment
    • Author: Lost Python
    ...from a very talented auteur, slam-bang collaborators, and a fine actor in the lead, "Waltzing Tilda" might easily be developed into a feature film. The production value and professionalism is remarkable for what I gather is a student film. Whoever these folks are, they're likely to have long and successful careers if they stick with it. Stop reading this and get over to YouTube to enjoy a tight, well-made short that's worth time spent with it.
  • Cast overview:
    Holly Fraser Holly Fraser - Tilda
    Glean De Goya Glean De Goya - Shane (voice)
    Bandit the Rabbit Bandit the Rabbit - Shane
    Indiana Kwong Indiana Kwong - Tilda's Friend (voice)
    John Buckmaster John Buckmaster - Father (voice)
    Simon Croker Simon Croker - Douchebag #1
    Jonas Thomson Jonas Thomson - Douchebag #2
    Rosie Keogh Rosie Keogh - Upset Woman
    Fiona Craven Fiona Craven - Friendly Woman
    Petra Lovrencic Petra Lovrencic - Free Hugs
    Luke Hilderbraat Luke Hilderbraat - Homeless Luke
    Raquel Linde Raquel Linde - Spanish Attack Kisser
    Ellen Johansson Ellen Johansson - Left On Cutting Room Floor
    Jonathan Wilhelmsson Jonathan Wilhelmsson - Blink And You Miss It
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