ELIAS REES

WRITER/CO-DIRECTOR

Elias Rees is a proud Gomeroi, Warramungu, and Chilean man who grew up in the public housing estates of Berkeley, Wollongong.

As a teenager, Elias starred in Beyond Empathy’s (BE) film Rites of Passage, which was broadcast on ABC 1 and earned a Special Jury Prize at the prestigious Warsaw Film Festival.

Elias's talent led him to feature roles in ABC’s Redfern Now, the Sydney Film Festival short The Chuck In, and the feature film Around The Block, where he worked alongside iconic actors such as Jack Thompson and Christina Ricci. He also appeared in ABC’s Cleverman and BE’s children’s feature film Protection.

A few years later, Elias transitioned from participant to professional, joining BE as an artist and community worker. His work focused on mentoring young people, integrating his personal journey as a proud Aboriginal man. Currently, Elias works with youth in Out of Home Care, where he continues to make a significant impact.

Elias Rees is an emerging producer, writer, and community leader, and he also serves on the Beyond Empathy Board. In The Secret Waterhole, Elias collaborates once again with Phil Crawford, the project lead for many of the BE projects he participated in during his youth.