Ambition and friendship drive Greek-Australian crime drama Corked

Two young Melbourne Greek-Australian filmmakers, Brandt Kakulas and Zach Dakis, are proving that ambition, friendship, and a camera can go a very long way. Their gritty 40-minute crime drama Corked—produced on a shoestring budget of just A$3,000—made its debut to a sold-out audience of 215 at Melbourne’s Lido Cinemas in August. Next stop: Perth, with a screening set for 16 November.

From passion project to packed cinema

Blending dark humour, cinematic tension and the emotional edge of classic gangster films, Corked follows a young undercover agent who infiltrates a criminal family as their empire begins to crumble. The project, born out of the pair’s shared fascination with crime cinema, explores the human relationships behind betrayal and loyalty.

“We wanted to make something in line with our favourite films,” they say. “The Godfather and The Gentlemen don’t just show the underground world—they explore the misunderstandings and relationships that drive the drama. We hoped to capture that mix while adding a touch of comedy.”

With no studio backing, Kakulas and Dakis handled every production role themselves—filming, sound, design, casting, lighting and editing. “It was a huge challenge,” they admit, “but it fast-tracked our learning as filmmakers for the future.”

A nerve-racking but triumphant premiere

Their Lido Cinemas premiere was both exhilarating and terrifying.

“It’s the most stressed we’ve ever been,” they laugh. “Having so many people see what you’ve created is daunting—but also one of the best feelings of our lives. Bringing that many people together was unbelievable.”

Despite their self-criticism, the response was overwhelmingly positive, with some reviewers on IMDb calling Corked “an excellent debut short that could easily serve as a series pilot”. The film currently enjoys a 9.9/10 user rating on IMDb and a growing following on Letterboxd.

From school friends to creative partners

Brandt and Zach first met in Year 7 and bonded over filmmaking and storytelling—shooting early YouTube videos long before they had proper gear.

“We like to see ourselves as a two-man show,” they say. “Last year we decided to take the next step and make a real film. We’ve been obsessed with filmmaking ever since. This is only the beginning.”

Their collaboration is grounded in respect and trust. Zach credits the experience with teaching him resilience:

“Some of the challenges we’ve faced have shaped me for life. I’ve also felt incredibly proud watching Brandt stand up under pressure.”

Brandt adds:

“Zach helps me keep sight of the bigger picture. We both want to make films that feel ambitious and push past expectations. He’s the kind of person who’ll stay up till 3 a.m. to get a scene right—I couldn’t have done this without him.”

Family, culture and the Greek connection

Though their film isn’t explicitly about heritage, their Greek roots shape their worldview and storytelling.

“As Greeks, we love to talk, and we’re dramatic, philosophical people,” they say. “Naturally our films lean into dialogue-driven dramas.”

They also drew deeply on family support during production.

“We grew up with strong family ties and a sense of pride for our culture. Those values show up in how we see relationships.”

For Kakulas and Dakis, joining the emerging wave of Greek-Australian creatives in film feels both personal and purposeful.

“It’s great to contribute to a growing group of Greeks in Australian cinema who are already paving the way.”

What’s next: The Ones Who Stay

The duo are already working on their next project—a feature film titled The Ones Who Stay, set to begin development in 2026. The story follows a gifted physics student struggling with grief and abandonment as he searches for meaning in a broken life. They’ve begun assembling a core creative team, including a Greek cinematographer, and are now seeking funding from both Greek and Australian film networks.