Announcing "DANE"

Filmmakers Tackle PTSD In DANE, A New Short Film From Presidential Productions

Melbourne, Australia — A raw and intimate portrayal of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) crafted by Australian filmmaker James Cunningham is gaining attention on the international festival circuit. DANE, a short film produced by Presidential Productions in collaboration with Bosisto Studios, examines the psychological fallout of war from the perspective of a young Australian Defence Force veteran returning to civilian life.

Written and directed by Cunningham, DANE represents a departure from conventional war narratives, focusing less on battlefield action and more on the internal emotional landscape of its central character. The film chronicles the downward arc of Dane, whose struggle with depression and anxiety underscores the complex mental health challenges faced by many veterans.

Melbourne-based actor Alex Lennox anchors the film with a nuanced performance as Dane, delivering a portrayal that blends vulnerability with unresolved emotional tension. Lennox’s performance was shaped through close collaboration with retired Australian soldier Jack Palmer, whose real-world experience with military service informed both character development and narrative authenticity during early stages of production. Palmer’s contributions extended beyond consultation; participating directly and performing the role for Cunningham's camera during the film's almost three-year development process, lending lived perspective to the story’s emotional core.

Complementing the physical performance of Lennox, actor Cody Fullbrook provides a reflective voiceover that serves as the internal monologue of Dane. The interplay of on-screen presence and internal narration adds a psychological depth to the film’s structure, allowing audiences to engage with the protagonist’s inner turbulence on a visceral level.

In crafting the film’s visual identity, the creative team employed special 'fish-eye' lenses and cinematographic techniques designed to evoke a bleak, austere atmosphere that parallels Dane’s psychological state. This stylistic choice reinforces the narrative’s emotional weight, using visual language to express the harrowing impact of trauma beyond dialogue and action. The resulting aesthetic supports the film’s thematic ambition: to immerse viewers in the lived experience of its protagonist rather than present a detached, observational account.

DANE was produced through a strategic partnership between Presidential Productions, a boutique independent film and theatre production company based in Australia, and Bosisto Studios. Presidential Productions, founded by award-winning filmmaker James Cunningham, has a history of creating work that explores complex themes, including masculinity, identity and emotional resilience.

The production team for DANE included producers Vanessa Abbott and Slade Phillips, who oversaw the film’s financing and creative execution. Filming took place on location in Melbourne, Australia, leveraging the city’s diverse urban and suburban landscapes to authenticate the film’s setting.

Since its completion, DANE was selected for screening at the International Shorts Film Festival in Melbourne in 2018, marking a notable achievement for the production and expanding its exposure beyond the Australian independent film community. This festival presence underscores the film’s resonance with international audiences and its relevance within dialogues about mental health, post-service veteran care, and the broader cultural understanding of trauma.

At its heart, DANE is a project born out of Cunningham’s commitment to storytelling that confronts difficult subjects with honesty and empathy. By focusing on a narrative on a veteran’s psychological experience, the film contributes to a growing body of independent cinema that prioritises character-driven explorations of contemporary social issues. Cunningham’s approach to DANE reflects his ongoing interest in projects that challenge audiences while amplifying underrepresented perspectives in film.

DANE was independently produced for artistic resonance, festival screenings, and is not made available for public or commercial viewing.

For more information visit presproductionsco.com/dane