Get to know: Stephen Degenaro

Stephen Degenaro

Actor-turned-filmmaker Stephen Degenaro recently launched a crowdfunding campaign for his new feature film, Raging Jake, which he will also direct. Here, Cinema Australia takes a closer look at Degenaro’s career leading up to this project.

Stephen Degenaro is an Australian actor, screenwriter, and author. In early 2022, he self-published his debut novel, Raging Jake.

With 22 years in the arts, mostly as an actor, Degenaro is a graduate of the 16th Street Actors Studio (2010-11) and the Melbourne Actors Lab (2012-17). His work spans Australian theatre, television, independent features, short films, and TV commercials. Notable credits include Last King of The Cross S2 (2024), Neighbours (2018), and several indie projects currently in post-production including John Balazs’ Freelance.

He received an Australian Film Industry Network award nomination for Best Australian Actor for his role in the award-winning short film Tommy, directed by S.K. Dale, known for its strong social message and educational impact.

In the past decade, Degenaro has expanded into screenwriting and producing. Raging Jake will mark his directorial debut, a project he has been developing for ten years. His screenplay has been well-received and is deemed production-ready.

Degenaro is a strong advocate for Australian independent filmmakers and supports the artist community through various initiatives. Raging Jake represents a significant milestone in his career as he steps into the director’s chair for the first time.

Set to start filming from mid-October to November 2024, Raging Jake tells the story of Jake, who investigates his mother’s suspicious death, his missing brother, and his secretive father. The film will shoot in regional Victoria, including locations like Little River, Ballarat, Clunes, and Lake Tyrrells.

You can find out more about Raging Jake, including how to donate, here.