Salty makes waves at Byron Bay Film Festival
Set against the rugged Mornington Peninsula coastline, Salty explores youth mental health, trauma and masculinity through the story of a guarded young surfer struggling with what lies beneath the surface.
Australian short film Salty will make its Byron Bay Film Festival debut at Palace Cinemas on Saturday 17 October, screening alongside the feature film The Best Summer.
Starring rising Australian actor Hyu Motoki, Salty follows Lachlan, a young surfer navigating trauma, isolation and the pressures of masculinity. Blending an intimate character study with striking coastal cinematography, the film explores mental health, friendship, resilience and the emotional struggles that young men often keep hidden.
Written by Melissa Zhēn Zhū Riemer, co-created by Danielle Singleton and directed and edited by Jake Robb, the short film grew from a commitment to creating genuine screen-industry opportunities for young people.
Through the Salty Project, Mornington Peninsula teenagers aged 13 to 18 took part in a free, intensive eight-week filmmaking program. Participants gained practical experience across the production process before joining a professional film set.
“We wanted to make a film about young people, but we also wanted young people to have a genuine place within the filmmaking process,” Riemer said.
“The hope was that Salty could open a door for them, both creatively and professionally.”
Motoki has since appeared in Adrian Chiarella’s supernatural horror film Leviticus, which premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival before being acquired for distribution by NEON.
Salty also serves as a proof of concept for Boys of Summer, a proposed Australian drama exploring surf culture, friendship, identity and the pressures of masculinity within a coastal community.
Event details
What: Salty at Byron Bay Film Festival 2026
When: Saturday 17 October 2026, 8pm
Where: Palace Cinemas, Byron Bay
Screening with: The Best Summer
Website: saltyfilm.com.au
Instagram: @salty_the_film
TikTok: @Salty_film
Credits
Writer: Melissa Zhēn Zhū Riemer
Co-creator: Danielle Singleton
Director and editor: Jake Robb
Producers: Danielle Singleton and Melissa Zhēn Zhū Riemer
Starring: Hyu Motoki, Mayla Dillon, Luca Faraci, Fletcher Humphrys, El Singleton and Keenan Lord
Original score: Steven D. Griffiths
The soundtrack also features music from Melbourne bands Vasco Era and DJ Centipede & The Earthworms.