On set, everything falls quiet before Daisy Pyefinch calls ‘action’. Crew members move quickly, adjusting film lights, checking sounds, repositioning cameras. It is a moment she described as controlled but intense—every decision, every frame, and every performance makes the moment feel even more captivating. Her vision holds the scene together. 

For Daisy, a student director at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA), this is where she  belongs. However, stepping into that role hasn’t always been so simple. In an industry where women remain overlooked behind the camera, Daisy is part of a new wave of filmmakers pushing against long-standing norms. Her work doesn’t just challenge who gets to direct, but also challenges what stories are told. 

Daisy has always had a passion for filmmaking since she was in primary school. She recounts her enthusiasm to start a film club back in her hometown of Hobart at the age of 10. She recruited both friends and strangers to join along with her creative direction. 

"There was no perception of what was good, I just created to create.” 

When she was in primary school, her film Nethead premiered at a children’s film festival called ‘Little Big Shots’ at the Sydney Opera House. This feat affirms that she has always had an eye for directing even at such a young age. 

Now studying at VCA in Melbourne, Daisy is developing her creative vision and storytelling abilities through her deeply personal projects. Her short film, I’m a Fairy, draws directly on her experience with queerness, blending emotion and visual storytelling to explore identity in a way that feels both intimate and imaginative. 

"I typically create films in the dark comedy genre,” she says. This project marked a shift from her usual film style; exploring a new genre allowed Daisy to challenge herself and look inward. 

The result is a story that reflects her own journey of coming out, capturing the process of self-discovery, uncertainty, and confusion that often comes with it. “Art is therapeutic,” she explains, describing the process as both creative and reflective. 

Rather than presenting identity and sexuality in fixed, straightforward terms, I’m a Fairy leans into softness and atmosphere. It’s less about defining queerness and more about expressing it. 

The approach reflects a broader shift in how emerging filmmakers like Daisy are moving away from overproduced stories and embracing personal, underrepresented narratives.

For filmmakers, stepping into the role of director means more than just a creative vision; it also requires leadership. 

"You're creating a presence and setting up how the day is going to look.” 

On set, authority isn’t given—it is read, interpreted, and sometimes questioned; for young women in particular, that means having to assert confidence more deliberately. 

Fellow VCA student, Alice La, has worked alongside Daisy and elaborated on her playful directing style, “She creates such a comfortable environment where you know you can 100% trust her direction and vision.” Many directors spend years trying to master these skills, yet these are already becoming instinctive for Daisy. 

The broader film industry, however, still has a long way to go in addressing underlying systemic problems. Globally, women remain underrepresented in directing roles, particularly in high budget productions. Although conversations around diversity have grown increasingly visible, structural barriers continue to influence who gets opportunities behind the camera and whose stories are prioritised. 

At a student level, Daisy expresses a sense of an uneven playing field in the classroom pertaining to stereotypes, but an overall shared sense of collaboration and support for young female students. Even so, looking at the statistics of female directors’ funding received in comparison with their male counterparts makes her nervous to face certain prejudice the further she excels in the industry. 

Despite the challenges, Daisy does not want to be defined only by what she is up against. Her focus is telling stories that resonate, and bring understanding and joy to her viewer.

I'm a Fairy reflects a commitment to share underrepresented stories through emotional storytelling. “Stories are infinitely important, they’re one of the many ways we as humans connect,” Daisy says, sharing a belief that sits at the heart of her creative approach. Her films focus on creating that connection, encouraging her audience to engage on a more personal level. “I want to make us question the world we live in,” she adds. 

Daisy's approach as a director is visible in the small and deliberate details, such as the way she adjusts a scene and guides actors. Rather than dominating a set, she creates space for collaboration and feedback. 

The moments she described may seem like just another student production, but they carry something more. Each film is a step into an industry still learning how to make space for voices like hers. 

Each story of hers expands that space a little further. For now, Daisy is focused on what comes next. More films, more stories, more opportunities to explore the kinds of narratives that haven’t always been given room to exist. 

Daisy says, “I’m still figuring this out, but I know this is what I want to do.” 

This is only the beginning for Daisy. Whether it’s through quiet, emotionally layered storytelling, or by simply stepping into the role of director, she is already doing something significant—not just making films, but reshaping who gets to make them and what they get to say. The camera may stop rolling, but her direction will not. 

Contacts:

Daisy Pyefinch: 0434204770 

Alice La: Instagram @alicela_