He says the last 10 years has seen too few innovative or creative Australian films.

"I grew up watching and loving those classic Australian films and, as such, I am a bit of a fan of the 70s and 80s film industry," he said.

"Back in the day, Australia was knocking it out of the park in film making.

"But in recent years there has been some stagnation and it seems like we are not moving forward.

"You can't really name any films in the last 10 years that have captured the viewers' imagination.

"I really want to create films that are creative," he said.

Travis said his passion for films and film making developed from watching every possible films and video.

However, it was honed at university where he would make short films as a hobby.

He eventually found his way to Brisbane and attended a course in 1998.

Several short film awards followed.

His latest project, Landfall, has scored a number of major awards in recent times.

"This year is my 20th year as an independent filmmaker, which is code for ‘I have no money’," he said.

"It has been a fantastic journey and I have loved every minute of it. 

"I have been able to work with some fantastic cast and crew."

The filmmaker has three feature films and about a dozen short films to his credit but is quietly confident about the prospects of his latest venture.

The film, shot over 24 nights, was really a fill-in project, he admitted.

However the film, which was crowdfunded, has caught the attention of a foreign sales agent in Los Angeles and is likely to get picked up and released in major countries including the US, England and South Korea.

"Landfall came about as a fill-in project," Travis said. "About three years I was developing a sci-fi project and was getting the feeling that it could take a fair well to get going.

"Landfall was born and designed to be a project that we could do quickly. From start to finish it took just two years. It was shot over just 24 nights.

"The basic outline is that a deadly cyclone is approaching Cairns when a holidaying couple are bailed up by three strange men dressed as paramedics.

"They appear to have stolen something from the hospital and are trying to offload it to someone they believed was in the house.

"With the cyclone bearing down on them, everyone is locked inside. I'd probably call it a claustrophobic thriller," Travis said.

"The films has a lot of twists and turns."

It stars 50-year veteran Australian actor Tony Bonner and Vernon Wells who is best known to audiences for his role of Wez in the 1981 classic film Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior.

Landfall has already achieved critical acclaim picking up several major awards.

Travis picked up best director at the recent Australian Screen Industry Network Awards in Brisbane while the film also received highest achievement in the best composer category.

At the Oz International Film Festival in Melbourne, the films picked up best director, best feature film and three actor awards for Wells, Bonner and Kristen Condon,

"It is really gratifying that people recognise the effort we have put into this film," Travis said.

"It kind of validates what we are doing and helps us keep going.

"Many comments are praising the quality of the film and also its creativity and innovation.

"We really feel like we are a fresh voice in the Australian film industry."

Travis encouraged film-goers to get behind the film.

Travis grew up in Port Macquarie, attending St Joseph's Regional and MacKillop Senior College in the late 80s and early 90s.

He is looking to return home in January and hopes to secure some screen time for Landfall.

"Some of my fondest memories are of Port Macquarie and I still have family and friends there," he said.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.