The film’s director, Stella Dimadis, contacted Woolsthorpe Primary School to find a suitable actor earlier this year after she decided to shoot the film at the nearby 19^th-century estate, Quamby Homestead.

The 15-minute film centres on three generations of women who are grappling with the poor health of the grandmother.

Makani played a younger version of a character, Billy, played by 15-year-old Isabella Svojtka.

“It was a good experience,” Makani said.

“I’ve never done anything like this before.”

The grade five student said she stopped feeling nervous early on.

Ms Dimadis said she chose to film at Quamby Homestead because it met her practical needs while also being beautiful.

She said the south-west had unique elements perfect for her film.

“The versatility, the light, the colour and the blue that you get in the ocean and the sky – all of that becomes so important when you're composing a final look in the film,” Ms Dimadis said.

“And the intense green of the foliage.

“All of that stuff you need, artistically, you've got it here.”

She said she hoped her positive experience would inspire more filmmakers to consider the south-west as a location.

The cast stayed at the homestead over the weekend, which Ms Dimadis said helped them bond and work well together.

She praised the community of Woolsthorpe for providing catering and accommodating the crew.

Ms Dimadis, who is also the vice-president of Women in Film and Television, said making a film with a cast of women was a special experience.

“I try to promote as many women as I can to get them working as crew, cast or whatever else because there’s not many in the industry,” she said.

Once the film is completed and launched, Ms Dimadis plans to set up a screening in Warrnambool.