✧ Update (28.1.26) : He Loves Me Not Goes Global ✧

Since this article was first published, the film He Loves Me Not (2024) — shot against the dramatic landscapes of K’gari (Fraser Island) — has expanded its global reach.

The film is now streaming across North America and Greece, with Latin America coming soon. It’s a wonderful moment for the island, as audiences around the world experience its shifting light, wide beaches and untamed beauty through a cinematic lens.

I briefly appeared as an extra in one of the beach scenes — very much a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment — yet enough to appreciate how the environment shapes the mood of a story. On screen, K’gari is far more than a backdrop; it becomes a living presence.

For viewers captivated by the scenery, the island offers the rare chance to step into the very landscapes that shaped the film — the dunes, freshwater lakes and sweeping stretches of surf are every bit as compelling in person.

You can stream He Loves Me Not via:

The film is also available through selected providers including Fandango At Home, Google Play, Comcast, DISH, DirecTV, Optimum/Altice, Frontier, Charter/Spectrum and Verizon.

Exclusive insights into He Loves Me Not filming

SET against the breathtaking backdrop of K’gari (Fraser Island), amidst the logistical challenges of island filming and the collaborative spirit of a close-knit crew, Jeremy Stanford, film writer and producer, shares exclusive insights into the making of He Loves Me Not with Jocelyn Magazine.

Stanford, renowned for his previous work, performing in many lead roles in musicals, plays, and most Australian TV staples, sheds light on the unique challenges and advantages that come with filming on this island paradise.

As the production continues, Stanford also discusses the film’s integration of local culture, the response from the Fraser Coast community, and the initiatives undertaken to give back to the community that supports Fraser Coast Film’s cinematic endeavours.

What emerges is a tale of resilience, creativity, and community spirit, woven intricately into the fabric of filmmaking on K’gari island. Read on to find out what Stanford has to say.

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Q & A Spotlight

What are the challenges and advantages of filming on K’gari?

Let’s start with the challenges. Because it’s being filmed on an island, everything we have, we have to bring over with us.

We had a lot of cars to bring, plus camera equipment, lighting equipment, sound equipment, costumes, and the art department; all of that had to come over on the barges and we had to find somewhere to put it.

So, at the moment, it’s in everybody’s villas or hotel rooms being sorted through. We’re cramped and living in each other’s pockets.

Another challenge is that if we don’t have something we need, we have to go to the mainland to get it.

Those are the logistical challenges where we have to think ahead. A lot of pre-planning went into putting this shoot together.

The advantages are that we’re all staying and living in the same place, and working in the same place.

So, at night we’ll come back and we’ll finish the day, have dinner, and we can start talking about what is going to happen the next day; pre-planning.

People are getting to know each other and having dinner. It’s a really collegiate kind of environment to make a film.

Usually, people will just get in their cars and go home, but for us, we just go back to our hotel rooms.

Has the local environment influenced any creative decisions?

When we conceived this film, we came over to K’gari and spoke with the managing director of Kingfisher Bay Resort to make sure they were happy to partner with us, and for us to come here and make this film.

We didn’t put pen to paper before we got their okay. Once they said they were interested and they wanted to be part of it, we created the script literally around the resort.

So, Tam (Sainsbury) and I were literally by the pool talking about story ideas and where we could set each scene. We walked around the resort and went to Lake McKenzie and Pile Valley.

We drove around the island, and the film came out of it. As a result, we want K’gari itself to be a character in the film. So, we’ve put some of the history of the island into it, and the locations, plus we wanted to put some indigenous story into it as well.

So, we partnered with the Butchulla people, and there’s a planned Welcome to Country in the film that talks a little about their story and the indigenous history of the island too. That way, we create a really rounded picture of what this place is.

How many extras are involved in the filming of He Loves Me Not?

There are about 25 extras. Of those, three people are regulars coming over from Hervey Bay. They’re playing part of the reality TV film crew, so they’ll be standing around with clipboards and that kind of thing.

As much as possible, we’ve tried to use local people for extra work, but we’ve also got one guy coming up from the Sunshine Coast. That’s a longer story because he’s also helping the crew.

Other than that, all of our extras are Fraser Coast people.

We put their names on a spreadsheet, and if there’s a day where we need extras, they’ll get a phone call and a time to show up, and they can come and be part of the film.

What can audiences expect in terms of visuals or special effects?

Because it’s a romantic comedy, there aren’t a lot of special effects, but what they can expect is a beautiful love story, a bit of comedy and some very beautiful backdrops.

How has your previous work influenced your approach to this project?

I have been a writer for many years now, and I wrote the last film, 13 Summers, quite a few years ago. When I finished that film, I went off and worked as a novelist.

I’ve written three novels now, and that really influenced the way I write. I think when you write novels, your grasp of language and the way to express it on the page really skyrockets.

So, with writing this film, I could write it quickly because I felt like I had quite a bit of experience with the pen in hand. I think that’s what’s happened for me in the last couple of years.

How has the local community responded to this movie being filmed on K’gari?

We’ve really had a lot of support from Hervey Bay, from the Fraser Coast.

I think the idea there’s a film company on the Fraser Coast now is quite exciting to many people.

They’re eager to get involved, and we’ve had many people sponsor us and get involved with putting product placements, using their clothing or the products they want put into the film.

It’s really heartening because we really couldn’t do it without the community. At the moment, we’re just a start-up company, so we need that help, and they’ve been incredible.

Are there any initiatives to give back to the community from this production?

As much as possible. We want to include local businesses in the film.

So that was why we reached out for sponsorship, and we thought if we could partner with local businesses, we could put them in the film, and we could really showcase the Fraser Coast.

Also, we’ve been engaging with TAFE. We’d like to train some students in make-up, hair styling, catering, and set construction. There are a lot of skills we need as a film company.

Will He Loves Me Not be marketed in the same way as 13 Summers?

Yes, it’s made for a similar market. Because it’s a romantic comedy, it will have a different audience, but it is being made for the streaming market, too.

Celebrating community, collaboration, and creativity

In the realm of filmmaking, where challenges spark innovation and communities rally around creative ventures, He Loves Me Not stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit that defines the Fraser Coast Film community.

Jeremy Stanford and the Fraser Coast Films team, buoyed by their experiences and inspired by the scenic wonders of K’gari, embark on a journey that transcends the screen.

With an enthusiastic local response and an inclusive approach, this film not only captures the essence of romantic comedy but also embodies the essence of community-driven artistry.

As the production continues to unfold, there remains an open invitation for enthusiasts to join the cinematic voyage as extras, ensuring that the very community that inspired this film remains an integral part of its narrative.

He Loves Me Not is not merely a movie; it’s a shared story, a testament to the beauty of collaboration, and a celebration of the rich tapestry of talent and passion that defines Fraser Coast Film’s legacy.

It’s the third production for Fraser Coast Films; the second, The 13th Summer, is expected to reach our screens later in 2023.

Planning Your Own Island Escape

If watching the film leaves you dreaming of ferry crossings and salt air, a little preparation makes everything unfold more easily.

Travel insurance offers reassurance when visiting remote destinations. Practical packing keeps sandy transitions simple. And sun-smart essentials are part of enjoying long beach days safely and comfortably.

→ Explore travel insurance with AllClear
→ Browse travel organisers with Bagsmart
→ Discover Kakadu Plum Co
→ Browse sun-smart gear and island essentials with Amazon Australia

(Affiliate links — supporting Jocelyn Magazine at no extra cost to you.)

Feature Photo: Writer and co-producer Jeremy Stanford relaxes at the Sunset Bar on K’gari, by Jocelyn Watts.