Written by Courtney Westbrook

If/When is a deeply personal film for me. A journey into the complexities of being separated from loved ones, the appreciation of the time we do get with them, the struggles we face watching those closest to us suffer, and the immense joy and sadness we can feel simultaneously in this journey we call life.

When I first began developing If/When, I wanted to explore how the fleeting nature of time can shape our understanding of connection. It’s something I think we all face at some point: the fear of losing someone, or perhaps, the realisation that the moments we share together are slipping through our fingers as they are unfolding, way too fast.

The central relationship between Ollie and Az speaks to this universal truth, but with a surreal twist. I wanted to capture the feeling of time being both a comfort and a source of instability. For Ollie, time is their greatest adversary, and yet it’s through their relationship with Az that they discover what truly matters: the bravery to alter their path and the hope that love can stand strong amidst life's uncertainties.

The duality of valuing connection and growth has always been at the heart of my experiences. I grew up in rural South Australia on a crop farm, living next door to my grandparents and surrounded by my parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews, separated only by fields of wheat. While my family continued to live their lives on Narungga land (Yorke Peninsula, South Australia), I left home to pursue my filmmaking career on Gadigal land (Sydney, Australia).

Valuing both connection and growth can often feel at odds, especially when homesickness strikes, but it is through storytelling that I aim to bridge that gap, connecting with others and sharing stories that bring people of all backgrounds together. I am committed to championing equity and diversity both on and off-screen. My vision for If/When included assembling a majority female-identifying and non-binary cast and crew to ensure new voices and perspectives were brought to the forefront.

Through If/When, I want viewers to feel the uncertainty of life and reflect on who or what matters most in their own journeys. Perhaps the film will inspire someone to reach out to a lost connection, rekindle an old friendship, or create new bonds that enrich their lives. They may even move back closer to their family after 12 years away, as I have recently done.

I’ve always been fascinated by the way time is a thread woven through every emotion and relationship we experience. The beauty of If/When lies in the tension between longing and loss, where every moment holds the weight of what could slip away. It’s the constant battle between holding on and letting go. Ollie faces the agonising choice of either fighting to stay by Az’s side, offering support through their darkest moments, or walking away, knowing that their inability to remain, due to their condition, may only deepen Az’s despair.

The process of making this film has been a labour of love. From the stunning visuals to the intimate performances, from our cast and animators that breathe life into the puppets, the production has been a journey of collaboration, resilience, and most importantly, vulnerability. Every detail, from the disorienting non-linear storytelling to the haunting score, has been crafted to pull the audience into the raw emotional struggle that Ollie must navigate.

I want people to walk away from If/When with a deeper appreciation for the connections we have and the fleeting, beautiful choices that define us. Can universal love withstand the chaos of time and space? I hope this film sparks that question, inviting audiences to reflect on what it means to hold on to what matters most.