Two SAE University College film students turned heads at the 2025 Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (MDFF) with short documentaries shaped by music, culture and SAE’s collaborative culture.
When SAE University College students Kevin Duran Du and Nikhil Anjelo Perera started their Bachelor of Film courses they didn’t set out to make documentaries about music. But, inspired by their documentary course unit and the multi-discipline culture around them, both found themselves drawn to the emotional power of sound.
Now, while still studying, their hit documentaries have been showcased at the 2025 Melbourne Documentary Film Festival, ranked the #1 Melbourne Film Festival by Time Out in 2023 and a spot among the top 15 documentary festivals worldwide according to Google.
Two different films. One shared theme.
Kevin’s documentary, GOLPES, offers a poetic and deeply personal portrait of his father, Ulpiano Duran – a retired musician who found healing through a lifetime of music. The film combines intimate interviews with visual storytelling to explore how rhythm can carry someone through grief, displacement and hope.
“I’ve wanted to make a film about my dad since I was 17, but I never had the resources or time until now,” Kevin said. “My dad was visiting from Colombia for a year, and that gave me the chance to finally bring his story to life. I’ve known him my whole life, this project wasn’t about discovering him, but about sharing his journey, his music, and the weight of his life with others. In many ways, it’s a love letter to him.”
Nikhil’s film, Hardstyle Baby, dives into Melbourne’s vibrant hardstyle rave scene. Featuring interviews with DJs, ravers and promoters, the documentary highlights a community fueled by high-intensity beats, mutual respect and self-expression.
“I was learning about the rave scene while also learning about filmmaking. I have been focused on narrative work in the past, but the documentary course and the educators inspired me to make a movie about something I’m learning about,” Nikhil said. “Now I have a new passion in Hard Style music and a movie that represents how it embraces difference and unity.”
Though different in tone and subject matter, both documentaries explore how sound can heal, energise and connect people.
Collaboration at every turn
Both students credit SAE’s hands-on, cross-discipline environment for shaping their approach and elevating their final films. With access to peers across audio, film, and post-production, Kevin and Nikhil were able to call on classmates to help score, mix and refine their documentaries to a professional standard.
“It was so helpful to have talented sound students just a Slack message away,” Kevin said. “One of them even helped me remix my audio in 5.1. That kind of collaboration really takes the pressure off and makes the project stronger.”
For Nikhil, working with an audio student who understood the rave scene meant the post-production sound was not only technically strong, but it also captured the energy of the subculture authentically.
Real-world learning. Real-world results.
These documentaries were created as part of SAE’s Bachelor of Film degree, with the support of lecturers like Richard Moore and Anita Jankovic. Students were encouraged to push boundaries, explore personal stories and make the most of the creative community around them.
“This production helped me come out of my shell,” added Nikhil. “I’m usually introverted, but I ended up meeting amazing people and having a blast from start to finish.”
Both films screened at the prestigious Melbourne Documentary Film Festival on Friday 18 July at Cinema Nova, alongside some of the best new documentaries from around the country.
Want to make films that matter?
At SAE University College, we believe creative success happens when people with different passions and skills work together. Whether you’re into film, music, animation or design, at SAE you’ll find a collaborative culture that inspires you.
