Short film shot in Port Fairy features iconic landmarks

The man was Dan Haberfield, the main character in short film Jerry Menzel which was shot in Port Fairy. It premiered at the St Kilda Film Festival last month.

The film was shared on Facebook this week. 

Former Warrnambool resident Dan Haberfield plays the lead role of Jerry Menzel and co-produced the film with director Ash Harris, who grew up in Colac. 

“I wrote the story about five years ago and I always had Port Fairy in mind,” Mr Haberfield said.

“I was familiar with the layout and the beautiful village and the lighthouse and the layout of the town really suited the story.”

The 10-minute action/comedy film showcases iconic Port Fairy locations including the Moyne River and wharf, the lighthouse, Griffith’s Island, Sackville Street and the beach.

“People are commenting how pretty Port Fairy is, how they grew up there or went on holidays there. It’s nice that people have responded to it positively,” he said. 

The story begins in the Port Fairy sports store where Jerry Menzel “borrows” a bike during a job interview which is then stolen from him.

“It is the beginning of a series of calamitous events that unfold in a ‘cat-and-mouse’ style chase around the township, the Moyne River and Griffith Island,” Mr Haberfield said. 

The cast and crew had 16 days from when they were accepted for the Olympus Filmaker Challenge to film produce, edit and submit the film. He said they were quite impressed with the finished product. 

“We were accepted as one of six films from about two to three hundred submitted.” 

The Olympus DSLR camera was rigged up to a drone by Warrnambool’s Aerial Vision Service which filmed overhead shots of the lighthouse and the beach.

“Thanks to the wonderful people of Port Fairy, we were welcomed with open arms and it proved to be a brilliant location for the shoot.”

Mr Haberfield said despite a positive response at the film’s premiere, Jerry Menzel didn’t win any prizes. 

Watch Jerry Menzel here