From writer / director Pascal Mercay: 

The story for Black Cat was born from an important development process with our cast of indigenous actors from WAAPAs Aboriginal Theatre Course. As a non-indigenous person, I wanted to hear their stories, what they felt passionately about, and what they believed were issues that needed to be brought to the screen. Through this process, we uncovered some recurring ideas and themes about identity, equality, and race which have formed the central building blocks for this short film.

Black Cat is both confronting and inspiring. Uplifting, just as much as it is tense. It deals with issues of fear and hate which fuel racism that are unfortunately incredibly relevant today. These are not just Aboriginal issues, but universal ones. Importantly, in a time where there is a tendency to spread hate, rather than love, this film argues that there is hope, and that change is possible. With your help, we will be able to bring this important story to life, and I can’t wait to be able to share it with you.

About Aboriginal Performance @ WAAPA

This course assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to gain admission into mainstream theatre training programs in Australia, and to enhance the ability to audition for and perform roles in theatre, musical theatre, television and film. The course assists students wishing to enter the entertainment industry from an Aboriginal perspective, who may be hampered by a lack of tuition at an appropriate level in one or more of the areas of song, dance and acting.

This project is a showcase of our emerging indigenous talent coming out of the WAAPA Aboriginal Performance program.  Supporting this project doesn't just help make this film, but also helps support these fine actors and program at WAAPA.

Key Personel

Matt de Byl - Producer

Matt spent several years working at the Film and Television Institute WA Inc in a broad range of roles across the organisation involving running film festivals, masterclasses and workshops, developing interactive exhibits as well as in house productions. Having collaborated with and assisted many emerging, as well as established, filmmakers throughout his career, Matt engaged with the WA Screen Academy Masters program to consolidate his skill set in taking on the role of producer.  He feels strongly that by producing films, he can continue to further assist local filmmakers to build a viable film industry in WA and connect local, national and international audiences with Western Australian stories. With a particular focus on making community minded documentary films, Matt also endeavours to bring solid, human, relatable, high quality drama productions to screens. 

Pascal Mercay - Writer & Director

A graduate of the WAAPA acting course in 2006, Pascal is currently on his second journey west for study, this time to complete his Masters with a major in screenwriting. Upon graduating from WAAPA, Pascal had a feature screenplay optioned, and also worked as a development writer on a mini-series for Hugh Jackman’s SEED Productions. In the years that followed, he worked as an actor, most notably in Steven Spielberg’s and Tom Hanks’ The Pacific, and wrote and directed short films which screened at festivals locally and internationally, including the Academy Awards accredited Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia.  At the WA Screen Academy, he was the screenwriter responsible for the short film Not Like Us and documentary Deighties.

Jake Clare - Cinematographer

Jake Clare has only ever wanted one thing: to be a great filmmaker. Going straight from Year 11 into study at the Central Institute of Technology, where he earned a Diploma and then an Advanced Diploma in Film and Television, and now striving for his Bachelor of Media at the WA Screen Academy, Jake has set the groundwork for his professional career. While at the Screen Academy, he directed the short drama Not Like Us, and is the cinematographer of the documentary Game On. He has also supported other productions in a number of technical crew roles. Dedicated to telling hard-hitting stories with soul-touching imagery.

Sara Biancardi - Editor 

Sara is originally from Santos, Brazil. Sara studied advertising at the Methodist University of São Paulo, and after relocating to Australia, began specialising in cinematography and producing. She studied event management in Sydney and worked for many years in that area before discovering a passion for producing for screen. Sara is also passionate about travelling and understanding other cultures and people around the world. Sara currently works at Studio Orange as a video editor and producer and works freelance in creating wedding videos. Her goal is to create compositions with impact that stir audiences’ emotions. 

Damion Wood - Sound

Damion has worked as a Music Producer for nearly a decade. It wasn't until completing his Bachelor in Audio Production that he found his love for sound in film. Due to his success in his Bachelor’s degree, he was offered the opportunity to further his studies undertaking a Masters Degree at the WA Screen Academy. Specialising in post-production sound, Damion has learnt from industry leaders to hone his current skills as well as develop new ones. During his time at the Screen Academy, Damion has worked location and post-production sound for the short films Riptide and Quartermaine, and the documentary Ripple in the Ocean.

Funds raised will make this film possible, contributing to locations, production design, costume and kittens! 

With ongoing assistance from the amazing staff at WAAPA and WA Screen Academy and Perth Rescue Angels providing our furry talent, we don't anticipate any major challenges with this project. It will come to life, but only with your support.