The Story

Bi Bi Baby is a comedy about two best friends navigating the space between perception and truth. Because what we see in our loved ones isn’t always what they see in themselves.

Ajay and Romeo are out to party (and maybe pick up). But Ajay has a secret. 

Out, loud and proud Romeo thinks he knows his best friend inside and out. They’re single, gay and ready to mingle. Right? Right?!!? When Ajay’s girlfriend Emma unexpectedly appears, the two friends must try to navigate the truth about Ajay’s sexuality and figure out if their differences - and assumptions - are too big to carry.

Will Ajay find a way to own the truth of his own bisexuality? Can Romeo look past the situation and see that his friend is the same guy he arrived with? Is bisexuality really just a stop on the way to Gaytown?

From the Director

Growing up as a queer kid in Australian suburbia, I rejected my bisexuality. I was never “queer enough”. Coming out as bisexual meant encountering assumptions of promiscuity, greediness, and confusion, and facing internalised homophobia. For a lot of people, I wasn't quite queer enough.

On the surface, this is a queer story for a queer audience. But it’s more than that. It’s the universal experience of not knowing where you fit in, and second-guessing your identity and the capacity your loved-ones have to understand and love you regardless of differences.

Why this story? Why now?

In 2023, it might seem like we’ve come a long way in terms of understanding and acceptance. And sure, we have. But there are still places and spaces where the cracks show. Where people feel the need to hide their true selves in order to earn and keep the love of the people around them.

Your support will help us spread our message of love and acceptance to as wide of an audience as possible. We'll use the funds to buy props and costumes, provide catering for our army of extras, and participate in film festivals all around the world. 

ALEX KIRWAN (he/him) as "Ajay"

Alex is a WAAPA Acting student in his final year. He has appeared in works like Orestes (Pylades), Samovila (Stoyan) and Much Ado About Nothing (Borachio) during his training. He is very excited to bring the beautiful vision of Bi Bi Baby to life as ‘Ajay’. Alex is particularly excited to explore the complex emotions that surround identity and sexuality with the incredible team working on this project.

JESSE VASILIADIS (he/him) as "Romeo"

Sarcasm, wine and everything fine; these are the ingredients used to keep the world in balance, however, through this process someone accidentally added a fourth secret ingredient, and from this, Jesse was born. As a student of WAAPA’s Bachelor of Acting, Jesse has appeared in numerous plays such as Orestes (Bodyguard), Samovila (Dimo) and Much Ado about Nothing (Claudio), having had a keen interest in the human condition and the craft of acting ever since he was a child. He feels incredibly grateful to be playing the role of ‘Romeo’ in Bi Bi Baby.

TESS BOWERS (she/her) as "Emma"

Tess is an Anglo-Indian Australian actor born in Perth, Western Australia. She has previously completed the Diploma of Acting (2018), Diploma of Screen Performance (2019) and is currently completing her Bachelor of Arts (Acting) at WAAPA. She has had the privilege of playing roles such as Mary in Our Country’s Good, Regan in King Lear, Greek Chorus in Orestes, multiple choral roles in the devised Samovilla and Margaret in Much Ado About Nothing.

Tess realised her passion for story telling at the early age of eight when she began acting classes with the Ali Roberts studio. Following classes, Tess fell absolutely head over heels with acting through high school productions such as Hairspray, Sweet Charity and The Little Mermaid. Tess is very excited to bring her passion for creative expression and collaboration to the colourful world of Bi Bi Baby!

ELYSE PHELAN (she/her) as "Riley"

With a fresh mullet in their 3rd year of WAAPA acting, Elyse is super excited to take on the role of everyone’s favourite bartender Riley. Having appeared in past WAAPA productions such as Orestes (2022), Samovila (2022) and Much Ado About Nothing (2023), Elyse is intrigued to enter the world of screen, and what better way to do so with the fabulous team of Bi Bi Baby!

PRODUCER | JESSICA CHONG (she/her)

As an aspiring Arts Manager, Jessica is interested in promoting the sustainability of arts organisations and artistic careers. She is studying Bachelor of Arts (Arts Management) at the WA Academy of Performing Arts, which includes an elective in Producing at the WA Screen Academy. Jessica has a passion for the powerful storytelling medium that is film. She has interned in a number of arts organisations including working for the Arts and Culture Trust. In 2022, Jessica produced the WASA short film, Threadbare, with Director Betheney A'Vard, and is excited to work with them again for Bi Bi Baby.

CO-PRODUCER | JOSH OLDERSHAW (he/him)

Josh (He/Him) is in his final year of his Bachelor of Media and Communication from Edith Cowan University, and has shown a large passion for production and directing. In the past he has produced a documentary Drag You Into It, and has also written and directed the mocumentary True Thief. He is thrilled to work with such an talented cast and crew to bring the world of Bi Bi Baby to life.

DIRECTOR and WRITER | Betheney A'Vard (they/them)

Betheney A’Vard (they/them) graduated from Edith Cowan University with a Bachelor of Media and Communications in 2021, and has shown great passion for directing and production design. They have written and directed films such as Boys Don’t Cry and Bird Meets World, and directed the 2022 WASA drama film, Threadbare. They are now excited to bring the comedy/drama film, Bi Bi Baby, to life as part of their Master of Screen Studies at the WA Screen Academy.

WRITER | LAUREN DEMARTI (she/her)

Lauren graduated from Murdoch University with a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Media, majoring in Screen Production. As an aspiring director and screenwriter, she chose to continue her studies at the WA Screen Academy.

With the firm belief that allowing yourself to be vulnerable and open to the creative input of others only ever strengthens her projects, Lauren greatly appreciates collaboration. Lauren is inspired by films that challenge beliefs and offer different perspectives, and endeavors to use this powerful medium to provide that same experience for her own audience. Looking to the future, with so many stories to tell, she is excited to continue collaborating with the inspiring creatives she has met along the way.

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY | JUAN FELIPE SARMIENTO (he/him)

Juan Felipe is a Colombian filmmaker and cinematographer with a marketing and business administration background. His love and passion for films, combined with a bit of luck, inspired/motivated him change career paths and go into film production. Over the past couple of years, he has worked in two independent feature films, over twenty-five independent short films and several student films. He is extremely excited to be the cinematographer of Bi Bi Baby as it is a contemporary and relevant story with lots of room for visual creativity.

EDITOR | KYLE BARTLETT (he/him)

Kyle is an aspiring editor who is also looking into doing all elements of post-production. Over the course of completing his bachelor’s degree at Curtin University, Kyle  worked on editing, sound designing, and even VFX on award winning short films. He is now in his first year of his master’s degree at the WA Screen Academy with a focus on editing, and is excited to work on Bi Bi Baby alongside a very talented cast and crew.

SOUND DESIGNER | SHERIDAN NIELSEN (she/her)

Sheridan has a passion for sound recording and story creation in screen production which led her to ECU’s Film and Video Bachelor’s degree and later the WA Screen Academy to do her Master’s Degree. She’s worked on several short films and documentaries throughout her undergrad degree including The Cat Woman (2021), Steamed Dreams (2020) and School Makes Me… (2022). She’s had an active and creative mind her whole life and hopes to one day contribute to films that are impactful and invites the audience into new and different discourses. Sheridan is proud and excited to be part of the Bi Bi Baby crew, both as an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community and budding filmmaker.

Our goal is to raise $2100 to bring Bi Bi Baby to life. All funds raised will directly support the film’s production, and bring Alex and Romeo’s story to life. Your support will help us create the most beautiful, engaging and authentic film we possibly can.

We will used the funds raised to:

• Secure locations that work for the story

• Make sure the cast and crew are safe on set

• Keep the cast and crew well-fed (there’s a lot of people involved in making a film)

• Create the right setting and costumes

• Get the film out to as many audiences as possible, via festival entries and marketing.

By supporting this campaign, you’re not just helping us shed light on an important topic. You’re also supporting new and emerging filmmakers with new stories to tell.

Bi Bi Baby is produced by WA Screen Academy (WASA) students, featuring third-year actors from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). By donating to this page you are donating to the students involved in this project. No funds will be received by Edith Cowan University, WASA, or WAAPA.