About this Short Film
The Journey So Far, from filmmaker Endless Refrain (Australia, 2024), explores themes of accident, adulthood, individuality, mental health, motivation and music. As part of the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival, it sits alongside works that celebrate the abilities, experiences and achievements of people with disability. With music listed among its themes, the film suggests sound plays an important role in shaping atmosphere. It invites viewers to consider how sudden change, wellbeing and personal drive intersect for adults navigating new circumstances. Short, thoughtful and grounded, The Journey So Far offers a quietly powerful contribution to our programme, prompting conversation without prescribing answers.
Film Details
Country:
Australia
Category:
Open Entrant Documentaries
Genre:
Music Video
Festival Year:
2024
Filmmaker:
Endless Refrain
Film Transcript
Surviving years of bullying throughout his school years, he had the intelligence to be an A student but C was his usual grade as he struggled to get through each day. Each night he would devour a book, sometimes under the covers with a torch, to escape into another world where the good guys always won. His creativity was always there and shone brighter every time he fell in love, but when they fell out of love with him it remained barely a light.
He survived many near‑death experiences but didn't let any of them stop him from living his life. His first two photography books were published while recovering from sliding through peak‑hour traffic on the Nepean Highway in Melbourne after being knocked off his motorbike. After knowing about the Focus on Ability Film Festival for years, he finally entered last year with an animated entry in the short film open category as well as a documentary. Both were difficult to create while healing from a shattered collarbone and frozen shoulder.
The process birthed in him a desire to create more videos and he went on to create a couple of spoken‑word films a week from September to December in 2023. Not yet connected with enough people to release recorded songs, he did the best he could to share hope with others despite the personal struggles he was dealing with. The most recent chapter in his creative life saw him forming the music collective Endless Refrain with the ambitious mission of releasing a couple of songs a week during 2024. Still healing from an accident in 2022 and recovering from some heavy personal losses, he continues to share love and hope with others through music and videos. Seven albums later, he's still not letting his personal pain stop him from helping others choose one more tomorrow.
The last spoken‑word video he released in 2023 was "Fly Again, Little Dream." Endless Refrain's world debut of that was recorded for this short film.
We left outside side by side, writing songs together, dreaming with eyes open wide.
My child would consider a friend lost along the way.
Through the years our dreams got buried with more to say.
I wonder where life led you, what path you came to shade,
the adventures you've been, the stories left unsaid.
But this song is for the dreamers, the ones who still believe
that even when your wings are clipped they can regrow once free.
Fly again, little dreamer; we fill the sky. Let your spirit soar — don't be afraid to try.
Years may pass and life may take its toll, young stars can still take flight, mending wounded souls.
For that little boy who believed in miracles untold, and for the girls who danced on clouds, whose hearts are pure as gold.
Time may have separated us, but our dreams still remain in every word, in every note, a testament to Endless Refrain.
Life's storms may shake us, set our wings apart, but deep within our spirits there's a fire of burning hearts. Never lose hope to dream on. Let the truth guide your way.
With every star and every tear you'll find strength to fly someday.
Fly again, little dreamer — reach for the sky. Let your spirit soar; don't be afraid to try.
The tears may pass and life may take its toll; young wings can still take flight, healing wounded souls.
So here's to the dreamers, the ones who still believe in hope and possibilities in what they can achieve. For even if life has clipped your wings, my friend, with perseverance and resilience you'll see them fire again.
Filmmaker
Endless Refrain is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Endless Refrain.
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8 comments
Well done Neville. A straight from the Heart True Story. Excellent Cheers BRO AMEN.
Nev this is a very open and raw monologue congratulations on completing it. Love the head banging song. Very encouraging In perseverance.
Love the song Nev
Excellent short film Neville well done. Great message of hope and endurance very motivating.
Horizons are meant to be walked upon and this is the way.
Thanks for another great short film Nev great lyrics with strirring vocals and instrumentals. Great job
Well done
I enjoyed that song thanks. A bit inspiring ... I was able to put my woes aside and let my dreams step forward. Thanks.