By Natalie Heslop
Independent filmmaker Nathan Hill has recently relocated to Altona, bringing his creative spark and 12 feature films with him. His latest release, Alien Love, stars Hill as an astronaut whose life shifts after a brief 60-second disconnection from Earth. It’s now available to stream on Tubi and Amazon Prime. His next film, The Auditors, follows a crew of con artists chasing a $1 million score with deadly consequences, and is still a year away from release.
What motivates you to keep making films? Can it be tied to one single reason, or does it change according to the circumstances for you at the time?
Without sounding contrived, it comes to me in a vision. I never know when, and it usually is out of the blue. When it happens, though, it’s intense and is what fuels me to get out of bed in the morning. David Lynch and other great directors talk about this. The idea that comes to you almost through meditation, and sticks. To the point where you can’t rest until it’s done.
Compared to the beginning of your filmmaking days, is it easier to create films now?
It is easier in the sense that I can get the film released. I have a name now that distributors recognise. The trick is to find the one that pays the most money! Sometimes it’s a gamble and you’re not sure. But I’m getting better at it with time. I used to use one film (that I didn’t care deeply for) in my catalogue as a test with potential distributors to see if they, in fact, paid or not. Contracts can be hard, though, especially if you’re locked into a long-term deal with a bad one, it will drive you crazy.
You’ve spoken about being knocked back by local funding bodies like Screen Victoria. What do you think makes your films a tough fit for traditional funding?
People often ask me, ‘Why don’t you try and get Screen Australia funding for your films?’ And the answer is, I have tried. The trouble is that my movies are of a cult style/nature and resonate more with an American audience. The films I make would be equivalent to the B-movie market in L.A. had I shot them there. And I’m quite comfortable with that, I get to make exactly the films I want to make, and I have been dubbed the most prolific independent filmmaker in OZ, and I’m happy with that title too.
What brings you to move to Altona?
I’ve been living in the CBD most of my life, and it’s convenient, but I find with age I need more quiet. It’s better for my writing and conjuring. Perhaps I’m in search of more peace.
Have you showcased the West in any of your films?
Oh yes, multiple times. The ones that spring to mind are I, Portrait, where we have a scene driving along the beach at Altona. And also, in my film Alien Love, we shot a scene in Brooklyn at the Centro Plaza. Among others.
What is your advice for upcoming filmmakers?
Don’t wait around for permission to make your movie, just do it! Use whatever is available to you and even cater the storyline to suit your surroundings. For example, I was recently offered free range to shoot in an office building complex, and so I devised an office room-type drama to fit into that space. Sometimes, making a movie is not about a strict narrative on paper; rather, elements coming together to create your next piece of art, the film. It’s a long process.
What’s up next?
I am at the beginning of post-production on my 13th feature film. I have my 12th coming out for Christmas, and another one I acted in is set to release in mid-2026, so that keeps me busy!
You can watch all of Nathan Hill’s films on major streaming platforms or on DVD or Blu-ray.
