“What a wonderful experience that I will always cherish! Such a supportive and encouraging event that was all about celebrating the “everyperson” – I wish there were more events like this!”

— Selina P

“Dear Renae and the Rock The Boat Team,
We are still beaming! Taking the certificate and trophy into school and surprising the students with the news of our win was a very proud moment for me. I’ve attached a couple of photos for you.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to have our story make it to the eyes, ears and hearts of a whole new audience. A group of people brought together by the aims of Rock The Boat to connect people from all walks of life to their communities through the art of film which you stunningly achieved from our perspective.
The prize money will be going to the school to help us continue our work in cultural responsiveness and documenting our experiences so you may see us again next year!
Sincerely,”

— Amanda and the students and staff at Sheoak Grove Primary School

“I loved seeing the celebration of community and the activation of stories from many voices. Watching proud mums and partners wipe away tears as they saw their loved ones on stage is still bringing a big smile to my face. More great things like this please. Art and real life connection is what our community needs right now and the City of Rockingham is nailing it.”

— Tanya Regan

“Rock The Boat Film Festival, unbeknown to us, was a greater opportunity than anticipated. It was not only a forum to share our story but also an outlet for Mixed Palette Inc. and its members to be recognised in the community for their creative contribution and commitment to being a group that encouraged value, equality, respect and self-worth.

We were thrilled to become finalists, but what affected us more, was that the Thursday before the Gala Night, our art space burnt down, all destroyed and left us speechless and lost.

Rock The Boat Awards Night not only allowed us to share our story about our recent tragedy but also gave us a stage to connect with the community. The local support given on the evening was beyond heart-warming. It was a moment when time had stopped, we felt empty and desperately needed that love, support and concrete assistance from community. You grew this platform that allowed this compelling compassion to be shown for us, and then after the event this wave of care went on and gave us much-needed further support to move forward!

Thank you!

Rock The Boat Film Festival is creatively opening hearts and minds in our community, so we can have a better understanding of who we are and how we belong. Through this event, I have learnt so much about the place where I live, and l love it even more.

There are so many productive community groups and individuals in the area I feel so privileged to walk amongst them. I proudly call Rockingham home.

Thank you so much to Renae and the Rock The Boat Film Festival team. I wait eagerly to see what this year will bring and hope through the years this festival will flourish, as I believe this is the perfect space to draw inspiration and rapidly grow and connect as a strong, respectful, productive community.

Thank you for all your care, and for this well-orchestrated creative initiative!”

— Jackie Wickham, Mixed Palette Inc. Chair

“Thank you for the opportunity to attend and for making sure it was accessible for all!! Fantastic evening well planned and executed!! Thoroughly enjoyed all of the short films and congratulations to all those who received an award and please keep this amazing creativity up!!“

— Mardi Johnston

“I would like to thank Renae Hardie Braovich, the Managing Director of RHB Films for dreaming up and delivering this inaugural Rock the Boat Film Festival, such an amazing opportunity for local film-makers and creatives. As a community arts practitioner myself it is so inspiring to see the grass roots nature and inclusivity of the festival. I personally have found it so inspiring, never in a million years would I have thought I would be submitting a short documentary that I have made into a film festival, let alone to be shortlisted and then to be a finalist and now to be a winner … a three-time winner! Just wow. This experience has certainly encouraged and inspired me to continue with my film-making journey.

A big thank you to all the festival partners for supporting this inaugural film festival. I hope that you see the tremendous value to the local community and continue your support for coming years.”

— Susie Waller, Filmmaker

“It has been such an honour and a privilege to witness the development of Rock the Boat film festival; from an ambitious idea, into a fully fledged, theatre packing, successful film festival that has been built upon the foundations of; Community, Inclusion and Diversity.

Having witnessed the energy and the emotion in the room at the festival’s first ever Gala Awards night was a tribute to the festival’s creator/producer, Renae Hardie Braovich’s, vision and purpose-driven motivation, along with her small army of supporters and her family, to make this festival a reality.

Bravo team!“

— Travis Morrison, Films by Trav

“Rock the Boat’ is an important film festival that motivates and brings together the Perth industry in a way that regardless of experience or resources, filmmakers can leave a mark and appreciate each other!“

— Christian Tejada

“Hi and thank you “Rock The Boat” Film Festival organisers and sponsors.

What a great event; and right here in Rockingham. So well organised and professionally run.

I enjoyed the Gala Awards night, and it was fantastic to see so many entries with such a broad range of creativity.

With this film festival, you’ve given me the Storytelling experience and exposure I would not have received otherwise.

And it’s not only me. You’ve uncovered and released a variety of local Storytelling talent which may have remained dormant forever. You have given opportunity to many who would otherwise never have received such exposure. It may even lead to a successful career for some of them.

“Rock The Boat” will put Rockingham on the film industry map, and will become an “event of interest” to film industry people in Western Australia’s new screen production facility being built in Malaga.

There is very little action (or opportunity) locally for me, an Animator and Cartoonist, and so I must try and crack the code in the Oz East Coast scene, but that’s almost impossible. Thanks to your team and wonderful sponsors, we now have action here. You’ve put the spotlight on Rockingham.

Please make this an annual event and bring it to the attention of the mainstream media.

Thanks again for the opportunity, and I look forward to creating entries for the next Rock The Boat Film Festival.”

— Mick Horne, Filmmaker/Cartoonist

“Thank you for an incredible opportunity to share our films with Rockingham.”

— Matthew Clarke, Filmmaker

“What an awesome, fantastic night! Great family atmosphere of unity and respect.”

— Jamie McNee

“Great night celebrating the talent of the local community and learning more about Rockingham and its history. Amazing service and food. All involved should be really proud of their efforts.”

— Lisa Roberts

“Being part of Rock The Boat is a dream come true. I look forward to next year.”

— Jaxon, Filmmaker