Starlight – Charli Fletcher

Charli

Fletcher

September 12 2025

When we recommend you watch CHARLI FLETCHER, we don’t just mean her movies, but also her moves. The soon to be 16yo is definitely a product of her generation in that her mobile phone is how she views the world. The difference is, CHARLI FLETCHER films the views the world wants to see.
Horror.

‘Don’t Ignore Me’

“Sofia’s obsession with her phone comes at the cost of her social life. What starts as innocent scrolling quickly takes a dark turn when an app begins sending her messages. With every notification blurring the boundary between the screen and reality. As the messages grow increasingly disturbing, Sofia realizes this is more than a social media stunt, as what it is that doesn’t like being ignored reveals itself in the real world and drags her into theirs...”

You may need to start ignoring your phone but you can’t ignore CHARLI FLETCHER’s film. Watch trailer below.

ADDED: October 20, 2025

‘Don’t Ignore Me’ has been nominated for the 2026 AACTA Awards, which makes this the first time in the AACTA’s 68-year history that a mobile-shot film has been recognised at this level.
AACTA is generally considered the equivalent to USA’s Academy Awards.

This also makes CHARLI FLETCHER one of the youngest directors to be nominated in the Short Film category and the only Indigenous filmmaker represented.

Watch our cover shoot video interview with Charli, photographed and interviewed by TS Publisher Sandhya Nand.

“We talk about inspiration, the advantages of being a ‘control freak’ and the then upcoming social media ban for U16s [effective Dec 10, 2025], the importance of support [Charli’s mother Bianca is with her every step of the way and was present at the shoot] and directing one’s own future path.” – SN

You’re never too young nor too old to call your own shots.

And yes, smartphone filming still requires storyboards and clapboards. It’s not the stove. It’s the cook.

Visit the DON’T IGNORE ME AACTA page.

Vote at AACTA here.

STARLIGHT on CHARLI FLETCHER
Film Director.

1. What’s on a young director’s playlist? 5 songs that represent your current mood.

One of the hardest question, but probably something from Tyler the Creator, Laufey or SZA

2. Teen life: horror movie or thriller rom-com?
With many twists and turns, teen life definitely leans towards a thriller romance

3. Time travel: when, where and why?
Back to ancient Egypt, specifically to see how cats domesticated themselves and how they came to be worshipped

4. Is what you’re doing now what you have always wanted to do?
Going to school and studying? … no. Making films and directing? Yes!

5. What colour would you use to describe yourself?
Blue, because I find it calming.

6. What’s the best gift you have received?
For my 15th mum gave me her old SLR camera, with all the lenses. Now I just need to learn to develop the film.

7. What is a subject that should be taught in school?
Common sense.

8. What do you do when you’re not making movies?
If I’m not at the gym training Muay Thai then you’ll find me at home baking, experimenting with new recipes.

9. What is the craziest thing you’ve experienced (so far)?
When I randomly did a tree top tight rope walk overlooking Bronte Beach.

10. What’s currently taking centre-stage in your mind?
It’s a mix of the AACTA awards and school studies

11. Is there a movie you could watch over and over again?
‘Talk to Me!’. It’s an amazing horror movie that really inspired me with film making

12. What superpower would you want to have? How would you use it?
Definitely teleportation so that I can actually get places on time (knowing me, I’d probably still be late!)

13. If you could “plug in”and learn immediately, what subject would you take a super-crash course in?
A little random I know, but the stock market. Just so I can not stress about money and focus on making good films

14. What do you want to be remembered for?
I’d want to be remembered as someone who is kind hearted and reliable

15. THREE things you love about yourself…. and ONE thing you would change.
Likes – Reliance, no matter how difficult things get I always seem to bounce back. Empathy, I always try to understand everyone’s perspectives. Lastly, creativity! I enjoy thinking outside the box and coming up with unique solutions.

Dislikes – I sometimes overthink. I’d like to trust my instincts more and act with confidence in the moment

What is the psychology behind wanting to be terrified?

According to these scientists who wrote this paper in 2021, published in Harvard Business Review; “stimulation is one of the driving forces behind the consumption of horror. [ … ] We tend to feel the most positive emotions when something makes us feel the most negative ones. […]”

They also said that “horror entertainment can also provide a novel experience, like a zombie apocalypse, that doesn’t necessarily happen in the real world [Ed’s notes- “this is debatable“] […] horror entertainment is a safe way to satisfy a curiosity about the dark side of humanity […] the darkest parts of the human condition.”

Trailer courtesy of Don’t Ignore Me.

As to what kind of personality gravitates to horror entertainment, the scientists said; “a stronger openness to experience trait is associated with increased affinity towards horror. [ …] In addition, individual differences in empathy are associated with enjoyment of horror. Those who are not so empathic can enjoy horror more.”

Pamela Rutledge, prominent media-psychologist, says in this 2021 BBC article that doomscrolling “really just describes the compulsive need to try and get answers when we’re afraid”.

So… “hopescrolling?

“A day of scrolling through positive news can’t necessarily erase or counteract the habits we’ve formed from months of doomscrolling, and their negative effects on our mental wellbeing. However, understanding that scrolling through good news brings us joy could help make us more aware of how our online behaviour affects our emotional state”, which Rutledge says is the key to changing our behaviours.

The scientists had analyzed movie box office data from 82 countries and discovered that individuals from countries with a higher GDP per capita watched more “scary stuff. That wasn’t true for genres like romance.”

Read why GDP per capita is important, here.

Through additional studies, they also found that “people in countries with less wealth have fewer resources that help them feel they have control over their circumstances. That may degrade the sense of control required to enjoy horror.”

We don’t need science to tell us that the current happenings in the world are not recommended for a peaceful and safe life. Horror is not a genre that people who have experienced real life terror gravitate to, but… Charli Fletcher’s movie will resonate with all screen watchers.

By Sandhya Nand

-TS