Naomi Belet and Sean Bell on the set of Electric Feel. Photo by Julia Firak.

For nearly two decades, Sean Bell has worn more hats than most filmmakers could imagine. From writer, director, producer, fundraiser, art director, set builder, editor, animator, composer and VFX artist, Bell has done it all. 

Now, the self-taught filmmaker has channelled that experience into his biggest challenge yet: directing his debut feature film, Electric Feel.

“I’ve been passionate about films for as long as I can remember,” Bell tells Cinema Australia. 

“I’ve wanted to make a feature film for many, many years. I went down the independent route and funded Electric Feel myself. It’s a big responsibility, but it also means I’m completely invested in making it the best film I possibly can.”

Naomi Belet as Jane White in Electric Feel. Photo by Julia Firak.

An ambitious dystopian sci-fi drama, Electric Feel follows Jane (played by newcomer Naomi Belet), who is addicted to a public TV broadcast scientifically engineered to reduce depression and anxiety. When the broadcast suddenly goes off-air, Jane’s world unravels, forcing her to venture outside her comfort zone and into a chaotic underground rave scene that may hold the key to the mystery.

For Bell, the story isn’t just fiction, it’s deeply personal.

“As someone who struggles with mental illness, I wanted to make a film that reduces the stigma around it,” he explains. “My mum committed suicide, and she was a big inspiration for this story. There’s even a character named after her, Deb, who appears to the protagonist as a ghost-like figure. Even if this is the only feature I ever make, I’m proud to pay tribute to her in this way.”

Bell shared a love of movies with his mother, who inspired him to become a filmmaker. Including her, even symbolically, felt essential.

“There were scenes that were emotionally overwhelming because they reminded me so much of her,” he says. “I found myself crying on set during some of the takes. But a lot of that emotion also came from my cast, who brought so much authenticity to their roles.”

Sean Bell on the set of Electric Feel. Photo by Julia Firak.

Shot over 22 days in Sydney’s Inner West, Electric Feel wrapped principal photography in March last year and is now deep in post-production, nearly a decade after it was first conceived.

Bell first started developing the project in 2016, when he took part in Screen Canberra’s Screen POD lab, a program for independent filmmakers developing new projects across film and television.

“Electric Feel has evolved so much since 2016, but one thing that’s always been there is the idea of social isolation,” Bell says. 

“What’s interesting is that when I began writing, it was years before COVID. After the pandemic, a lot of what once seemed far-fetched suddenly became real. It was bizarre, but it also made the film feel more relevant than ever.”

Naomi Belet as Jane White in Electric Feel. Photo by Julia Firak.

When it came to casting, Bell used every tool available from social media to casting websites and industry forums. The response was overwhelming, especially for the lead role of Jane White.

“This process really opened my eyes to what an incredible pool of talent we have here in Australia,” Bell says. 

“When I saw Naomi Belet’s audition, I was blown away. Jane isn’t an easy character to play, but she delivered something truly special.”

The film also stars Yarno Rohling, Nick Launchbury, Camila Palacios, Kaylee Ashton, Isaac Harley, and Jordyn Grubisic, all making their feature debuts.

“I’m so proud of this cast,” Bell says. “They were fearless and handled some really heavy material with incredible honesty. They brought their A-game every single day.”

Sean Bell on the set of Electric Feel. Photo by Julia Firak.

Since wrapping production, Bell has been hard at work in post, editing the film himself, a process he knows well after two decades as an editor. Recently, he reached out to Bring Her Back and Talk To Me editor Geoff Lamb for advice.

“I’ve been an editor for 20 years, but I wanted another set of eyes from someone I really respect,” Bell says. 

“I love Geoff’s work, so I asked if he’d be willing to watch Electric Feel and chat about it. I was blown away when he said yes. I think I’ve created something compelling, but it was important to share it with someone who really understands the craft.”

With post-production nearing completion, Bell is now preparing to release Electric Feel in 2026.

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