Budding filmmakers Ian Tran and Rachel Morssink are bringing a Footscray icon to the big screen.
Jam-packed with insights into a colourful history, Olympic Nick: A Donutumentary traces the journey of 80-year-old doughnut-maker Nick Tsiligiris.
Nick’s hot jam doughnuts have been tempting locals and visitors alike at Footscray railway station since 1979. Made to a secret recipe, the 80-cent doughnuts “feel like something from the past”, according to Morssink.
She said making the documentary had been an invaluable opportunity to discover the story behind Nick’s quiet charm and ever-present smile.
“Ian grew up in Footscray and has known Nick almost his whole life,” she said. “Nick has been there for 35 years. People love the fact he stays true to himself as the area changes around him. I fell in love with him instantly.”
Morssink said the project was also a “love letter to Footscray” and everything that makes the area unique. The project was selected from a large field of applicants for the Raw Nerve Production Initiative, supported by independent screen organisation Open Channel.
Morssink and Tran met at a film-making course last summer and were surprised to be chosen for a small grant under the initiative.
Filming has been completed, but the pair has begun crowdfunding to complete post-production and help take the film far and wide.
Olympic Nick: A Donutumentary will screen at Yarraville’s Sun Theatre on November 29. Details: www.pozible.com/olympicnick
