Neutral Bay Filmmaker hits the Short and Sweet Screen

20 March 2025

By James Mullan

An encounter with a pack of coyotes in Yosemite sparked the creation of ‘Foothold’, a short film by emerging local filmmaker Zoé Clifford-Sellam.

The film follows a young woman who, in the face of a life-threatening injury, must find the determination to navigate a treacherous mountain climb to survive.

“Directing ‘Foothold’ was more than just a project; it was a deeply personal journey for me,” Clifford-Sellam said. “The idea for this film sparked during a solo trip around California, where I found solace and inspiration in the mountains. The mountains have always been my sanctuary, but that serenity was shattered one winter day in Yosemite.”

The 22-year-old filmmaker, who holds a Bachelor of Arts from UNSW and furthered her studies at the University of San Diego, drew on this experience to craft a narrative of resilience and determination.

“Women face countless challenges every day, and we confront them with unwavering determination. This is a story about finding that fire, even in the face of insurmountable odds.” Clifford-Sellam says. 

The young filmmaker’s directorial and editing work has gained recognition, including praise from a Sony representative for ‘Foothold’. Her most recent film, ‘No Man’s Land’, was a finalist in the Take48 Film Festival and screened at Dendy’s in Newtown.

The Short and Sweet Film Festival showcases pieces that are 10 minutes or under from a variety of genres. Categories include Drama, comedy & horror, animation & documentary and filmmakers under 25; which Foothold if a part of. Each week, in-person judges will pick their top two films of the night which will be screened at the Gala Final on May 17. 

Foothold will screen on Saturday April 5, 3:00PM at Building M, Music Department at TAFE Ultimo. 

Tickets available here: https://shortandsweet.org/festivals/film