Australian filmmaker Grace Tan is known for pushing boundaries in storytelling through her use of sound. Her short film A Daydream With Fini was featured at MIFF 2024, where she participated in the prestigious MIFF Accelerator Lab – a program composed of workshops, screenings, seminars and networking opportunities to up to 20 emerging filmmakers, whose work is also publicly showcased at the festival as part of MIFF’s Accelerator Shorts packages.

Framed around a conversation between two elderly friends, A Daydream With Fini marked a new creative direction for the filmmaker, exploring themes of connection, routine and introspection. Shot as part of the Apichatpong Weerasethakul Lab in rural Mexico, Tan’s most recent project uses sound to add emotional realism to everyday moments. Drawing inspiration from legendary Thai auteur Weerasethakul, Tan reflects, “Audio brings films to life. It’s a crucial part of the storytelling experience.”

Besides offering her a platform to screen her short to MIFF audiences, MIFF Accelerator Lab offered Tan and her cohort the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and fellow filmmakers, providing valuable insights as they prepare to make the leap from shorts to feature films. This year’s program was capped off by the Talent of Tomorrow party, hosted by audio equipment manufacturer Sennheiser, introducing emerging filmmakers to new audio technology.

This closing-night event gave Tan and fellow Accelerator Lab participants the opportunity to visit the Sennheiser booth, where experts demonstrated various products – such as the EW-DP Wireless Microphone System, which Tan has since adopted – and discussed how this technology could support their projects. The event also featured a panel with Andrew Commis, Director of Photography at ACS, and Elaine Beckett, General Manager of Trackdown Studios, who shared practical advice on filmmaking.

Above: A Daydream With Fini  | Header: Filmmaker Grace Tan

The experience provided attendees with technical insights into how reliable, high-quality audio solutions can enhance their creative processes. For Tan, this is important to get right, given how essential sound is to cinematic storytelling. “Sound design creates emotional depth and draws audiences deeper into the story,” she observes. “Whether amplifying tension in a horror film or enhancing the subtle nuances of character-driven narratives, sound plays a central role in how a film resonates with its audience.”

Accordingly, Tan has incorporated Sennheiser’s EW-DP Wireless Microphone System as a core constituent of her filmmaking toolkit. “The EW-DP lets me move quickly and stay agile,” she says. The system’s ease of use allows her to focus on creativity, without the distraction of complicated set-ups: “It’s reliable, and that’s what matters.”

In Tan’s view, a stand-out feature of the EW-DP is its wireless capability, giving her the freedom to capture natural, in-the-moment sound without being restricted by cables. “The wireless setup is perfect for projects where you need to stay mobile,” she explains. The compact design fits perfectly into her workflow, ensuring the setup remains lightweight and portable, which is critical when shooting on location.

Tan sees it as especially invaluable for solo filmmakers or small crews. “When you don’t have a large team, you need equipment that’s straightforward and reliable,” she explains. It has quickly become her go-to for projects requiring flexibility and responsiveness, particularly in documentary-style filmmaking, where mobility and intimacy are key.

Tan’s experience at MIFF 2024, and the connections she made through the Accelerator Lab and Talent of Tomorrow event, have left a lasting impression. A key takeaway from her filmmaking journey has been the importance of perseverance. “Keep creating and don’t be afraid to share your work,” she advises. “It’s a long game, but, in the end, you create something truly special.”

The connections Tan made with other filmmakers and the inspiration she drew from their work have energised her for future projects. With her next short film already in production, Tan is excited to continue using the EW-DP to enhance her work. The lessons she has learned from MIFF, combined with the seamless integration of Sennheiser’s technology into her filmmaking practice, have shaped the way she approaches her projects.

“I’m more inspired than ever to push the boundaries of what sound can do in film,” she says. Tan believes audio quality has the potential to elevate a film from good to unforgettable – and, in the process, play a vital role in storytelling.

This article was published in collaboration with Sennheiser.