Sennheiser Teams Up with Melbourne’s Iconic International Film Festival to Support Filmmaker Grace Tan and Inspire Emerging Storytellers

Inspiration struck Grace Tan at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) 2024, where the Accelerator Lab, Sennheiser’s Talent of Tomorrow event, and the EW-DP Wireless Microphone System pushed her storytelling to new heights and connected her with like-minded filmmakers.

Sydney, Australia, 13 November 2024 – Emerging Australian filmmaker Grace Tan is known for pushing boundaries in storytelling through her use of sound. Her short film, A Daydream with Fini, was featured at MIFF 2024, where she participated in the prestigious MIFF Accelerator Lab. The film, shot in rural Mexico marked a new creative direction for Grace, exploring themes of friendship, routine, and dreams. Since MIFF, she has adopted Sennheiser’s EW-DP Wireless Microphone System, which has become a core part of her filmmaking toolkit.

A Milestone at MIFF 2024

Screening A Daydream with Fini at MIFF 2024 has been a key moment for Grace, marking a shift from her previous work, Lucky Peach (MIFF 2022). The story follows two friends on a hot summer day in Izamal, dreaming of exploring pyramids, jungles, and cenotes while awaiting the construction of the Tren Maya. This broader, exploratory narrative contrasts with her previous work, Lucky Peach (MIFF 2022), a visually imaginative, personal story about the tensions between an immigrant mother and a young woman preparing to leave home.

Grace’s acceptance into the highly selective MIFF Accelerator Lab, limited to just 29 filmmakers, proved transformative. Over four days, she immersed herself in workshops, screenings, seminars, and networking events led by industry professionals. The experience deepened her creative perspective and gave her the confidence to push new ideas forward.

Beyond the success of the film, the Lab gave Grace invaluable connections with industry professionals and fellow filmmakers, providing valuable insights as she prepares to make the leap from shorts to feature films.

This momentum carried over to the Talent of Tomorrow Party, hosted by Sennheiser, where filmmakers had the chance to explore Sennheiser’s latest audio technology firsthand. The event featured a panel with Andrew Commis, Director of Photography at ACS, and Elaine Beckett, General Manager of Trackdown Studios, who shared practical advice on filmmaking. Attendees also visited the Sennheiser booth, where experts demonstrated products like the EW-DP Wireless Microphone System and discussed how this technology could support their projects.

This hands-on experience provided Grace and other filmmakers with technical insights into how reliable, high-quality sound solutions can enhance their creative processes, reaffirming Sennheiser’s commitment to supporting the next generation of storytellers.

Freedom to Move, Power to Create with the Sennheiser EW-DP

Since adopting the EW-DP, Grace has relied on its simplicity and reliability. “The EW-DP lets me move quickly and stay agile,” she says. The system’s ease of use allows her to focus on creativity, without the distraction of complicated setups. “It’s reliable, and that’s what matters.”

The wireless capability stood out most, giving her the freedom to capture natural, in-the-moment sound without being restricted by cables. “The wireless setup is perfect for projects where you need to stay mobile,” she adds. The compact design fits perfectly into her workflow, ensuring the setup remains lightweight and portable, which is critical when shooting on location.

For solo filmmakers or small crews, the EW-DP has become invaluable. “When you don’t have a large team, you need equipment that’s straightforward and reliable,” Grace explains. It has quickly become her go-to for projects requiring flexibility and responsiveness, particularly in documentary-style filmmaking, where mobility and intimacy are key.

The Future of Audio in Film

For Grace, sound is an essential part of storytelling, “Sound design creates emotional depth and draws audiences deeper into the story.” Emphasising this, she pointed out, “whether amplifying tension in a horror film or enhancing the subtle nuances of character-driven narratives, sound plays a central role in how a film resonates with its audience.”

Sennheiser’s pro audio technology, including the EW-DP provides all filmmakers with the reliable, high-quality sound, needed to capture professional quality audio of their creative work. With its wireless range and superior connectivity, the EW-DP ensures no detail is missed, allowing filmmakers without the complexity of needing a major studio to focus on crafting stories that truly resonate with their audience.

Her most recent project, shot as part of the Apichatpong Weerasethakul Lab in rural Mexico, uses sound to add emotional realism to everyday moments. Drawing inspiration from Weerasethakul, she reflects, “Audio brings films to life, tapping into the subconscious to emotionally immerse audiences in new worlds. It’s an essential part of storytelling.”

Looking Ahead

Grace’s experience at MIFF 2024, and the connections she made through the Accelerator Lab and Talent of Tomorrow event, have left a lasting impression. A key takeaway from her filmmaking journey was the importance of perseverance, reflecting that, “It’s a long game, but if you keep honing your storytelling with new work, that’s when you create something truly exciting and special.”

The connections she made with other filmmakers and the inspiration she drew from their work have energised her for future projects. With her next short film already in production, Grace is excited to continue using the EW-DP to enhance her work. The lessons she has learned from MIFF, combined with the seamless integration of Sennheiser’s technology, have shaped the way she approaches her projects.

"My next film will delve into the characters’ internal landscape, and I’m excited to explore this creatively through sound—particularly in how sound design can shape and sustain tension," she says. Grace believes audio quality has the potential to elevate a film from good to unforgettable, playing a vital role in storytelling alongside visuals.

Her advice to aspiring filmmakers: “Try not to let a lack of resources hold you back. Find your community of filmmakers, keep creating, and don’t hesitate to share your work.” She encourages others to embrace every aspect of storytelling, emphasising that persistence and collaboration are key to bringing creative visions to life.

About Sennheiser

We live and breathe audio. We are driven by the passion to create audio solutions that make a difference. Building the future of audio and bringing remarkable sound experiences to our customers – this is what the Sennheiser brand has stood for since more than 75 years. While professional audio solutions such as microphones, conference systems, streaming technologies and monitoring systems are part of the business of Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG, the business with consumer devices such as headphones, soundbars and speech-enhanced hearables is operated by Sonova Holding AG under the license of Sennheiser. ​

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