Actor, director and writer Garth Edwards is behind anyone with a dream for a career in screen to "just go for it"

From the writers' room of ABC favourite Black Comedy to one of Australia's foremost film festivals, Garth Edwards is backing people to chase their dreams into the industry he's making his own.

You might recognise Edwards from his appearances on the cult Indigenous-led sketch show, 2018's as well as The BBQ, US production Young Rock and revamped Aussie classic Heartbreak High.

It was penning his own sketch for Black Comedy where the desire to get behind the camera sparked.

"There was an opportunity to go into the writer's room and I came up with a sketch for season 4 which ended up in that season," Edwards said.

"This led me to look at creating my own content – and subsequently the Digital Media course."

Growing up in Innisfail, Edwards is in his second year of his studies at Central Queensland University in Far-North Queensland, one he says "has given me the courage and strength to pursue more".

It's a region promising to be a central piece of Australian screen in years to come - one where the actor turned writer-director has already added to his CV.

Edwards' previous film Mavis – The Claws of Vengeance took home Best Fiction Film at the Understory Film Festival in Cairns back in 2022.

His recently filmed feature length directorial debut made a home there.

"It was all filmed in North Queensland with local crews, apart from a few people I've worked with in the past," he said.

"I wrote the script and got a lot of help with the script while doing the Digital Media course. Some of the green screen scenes for the film were even shot at CQU."

Screen Queensland recently opened a production studio in Cairns.

Edwards said "there's so much happening" in the area.

Ahead of hitting the screen in Melbourne-shot black comedy The Organist and complimenting panel discussion at MIFF this week, Edwards is encouraged anyone with a dream to enter the industry to "just go for it".

"…if it's in your heart. Don't listen to anyone but yourself. You'll see that the industry isn't as far away as you think," he said.

"Don't be ashamed to chase it. Be an actor, be a grip, or be a make-up artist, whatever you're passionate about – and reach out to your university because they'll have the resources and training to help you."

Edwards is supported by CQU's Indigenous Student Engagement team and Indigenous Tutorial Assistance program through his studies.