Under the Water

Faced with misogynistic insults and violence from the boys in her town, an eleven-year-old girl experiences a series of unusual events that lead her to revisit a storybook about sea sirens. Inspired by these mythical beings, she discovers the strength within herself to resist.

Isabella is a multidisciplinary artist working as a writer, director, and production designer, based on Gadigal and Wangal land (Sydney, Australia). Her work frequently delves into inner worlds, employing visual storytelling and layered metaphors to express subjectivity. She enjoys experimenting with techniques, incorporating elements like underwater scenes, flowers on fire, extreme slow motion, and melting curtains. Committed to advancing gender equity, diversity, and inclusivity, Isabella integrates these values into her creative and teaching practices.

As a writer-director, she explores the intricacies of human experience, merging the familiar with the surreal. Her short surreal drama UNDER THE WATER (2023) premiered at the 33rd Flickerfest International Short Film Festival in 2024, chosen from over 3,400 submissions. The film focuses on an eleven-year-old girl dealing with misogynistic taunts and violence from boys in her town. Isabella's creative approach was driven by a desire to inspire reflection and resonance, particularly in the context of ongoing violence against women in Australia. The film has been showcased at the Vierte Welle Film Festival (2025), Wench Film Festival (2025), Dunedin International Short Film Festival (2025), Chicago Women Film Fest (2024), The Bay International Film Festival (2024) (Winner: Best Student Short Film, Nomination: Best Music), Australia Independent Film Festival (2024) (Nomination: Best Student Short Film), Cyprus International Film Festival (2024), Montreal Women Film Festival (2024), Atlanta Women Film Festival (2024) (Nomination: Best Cinematography), Toronto Women Film Festival, and Los Angeles Women in Film Festival (2024), also achieving semi-finalist status at the Rhode Island Film Festival (2023). It was nominated for Best Student Short Film at the 2024 Australian Director's Guild Awards.

In 2024, Isabella and her collaborator, Beck Thompson, were chosen to present their horror feature film project, LYREBIRD, at the Inner West Film Fest Pitching Competition. Previously, Isabella wrote and directed the music video MONSKA for C.R. Robin (2020), which won the WIFT Audience Favourite Award (2021), was nominated for Best Concept at the Clipped Music Video Awards (2020), and was a finalist in the Frankie Magazine Good Stuff Awards (2020). She also wrote and directed the music video ICE AGE for Southern Highlands musician Cilla Jane (2018).

Isabella holds a Master of Arts: Screen in Directing from the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (2022), a Bachelor of Dramatic Art in Design from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (2014), and a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours: Class I) from Sydney College of the Arts (2011).