A Filmmaker’s Journey from Western Sydney
Tigran Tovmasian’s debut short film, The Circus Lion, tells the deeply personal story of Samvel, a young wrestler who sees the Australian team as his only escape from a dead-end town and the trauma that haunts him. But when tragedy strikes, the fight to break free turns inward—leaving him trapped face-to-face with the very pain he’s been trying to outrun.
Actor, drama teacher, and independent filmmaker— Tigran grew up in Blacktown, the son of two hardworking immigrants striving to build a better life for their family. Compelled to reveal the overlooked beauty of a suburb long written off by outsiders, he chose to lead his drama students by example: The Circus Lion was made to show they don’t need the industry’s permission to create. Most of the wrestlers, extras, and supporting cast are his own students—living proof that when you tell truthful stories and back them with hard work, you can forge your own opportunities.
“There was a lot from my own life in this film,” Tigran says. “It’s more than just a story. It’s a reflection of my own upbringing, my late coach, and the challenges of finding identity in a town that doesn’t always understand the complexities of being human.”
Behind the Scenes: Grit and Sacrifice
To bring his vision to life, Tigran approached three Australian actors he had long admired—Frances Duca (AACTA winner for Ali’s Wedding), Kelsey Jeanell (Goosebumps, Scrublands), and Panda Likoudis (Bali 2002, Deep Water). Each actor had built a strong reputation in the industry and rarely committed to independent short films. Knowing that he needed their experience and presence to shape the emotional foundation of the project, Tigran reached out to all three. After a single read of the script and a personal phone conversation with him, they each agreed to join the production, officially signing on to complete his dream cast.
What sets The Circus Lion apart is not only its narrative but the dedication and sacrifice it took to bring it to life. Tigran wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the film, self-funding the entire project with no external grants or investors. To make his vision a reality, he took a significant personal risk, funding the film through credit cards and working long hours, often up to 16 hours a day, to ensure the project remained on track.
Actors trained six months to master wrestling moves; drowning scenes were shot in an unheated pool in mid-winter, during which Tigran contracted pneumonia. Lake scenes were filmed despite same-day shark sightings. During the weigh-in sequence, Tigran underwent a real wrestler’s water-cut and multi-day fast—and when his acting students (playing fellow wrestlers) learned he was cutting weight for authenticity, they joined him in solidarity.
“From being rejected by multiple councils across Sydney, to finally winning approval from Circus Rio to film on the same showgrounds where I first saw circus lions as a kid—we fought for every frame,” Tigran recalls.
A Film with Global Ambitions
The film is now submitted to major festivals (Sundance, Flickerfest, AACTA consideration) and features an Armenian-influenced soundtrack by Arman Aloyan, releasing on Apple Music and Spotify next week.
This short film marks just the beginning of Tigran’s filmmaking journey. His future projects include Papik, a feature film inspired by his personal experiences in Armenia during the Artsakh war, and The Mountain Men, a psychological thriller exploring toxic masculinity through the lens of a mysterious masculinity camp in the mountains.
A Voice for Underrepresented Stories
Tigran is not part of the industry elite or a product of a prestigious film school. He brings a fresh perspective rooted in his lived experience as both actor and teacher. “I want to capture real life, real people, and real places—and stay true to their essence,” he says. “Everyone told me this film was impossible with my resources. But listen to your gut; it’s a direct line to God.”
A Call to Action for Global Recognition
As Tigran continues to build momentum, he remains focused on sharing The Circus Lion with the world. The film is his debut as a filmmaker and serves as the foundation for future projects that aim to bring overlooked stories and communities to a global audience.
For Tigran, this is only the beginning. Every article, review, and festival submission is part of his broader mission to share stories from Western Sydney with the world, and with future films already in development, the journey is set to continue.
“For me, this is more than a film — it’s a love letter to where I’m from, and a challenge to where I want to go.” — Tigran Tovmasian
Tigran credits the project to the friends who rallied around him. “I didn’t make a film; I made a team,” he says—highlighting producer-mentor Daniel Havas, whose guidance was pivotal from day one.
For media inquiries, please reach out to Tigran Tovmasian at [email protected]. Additional project details are available on the official FilmFreeway page. You can also connect on Instagram via @circuslionfilm and @tigrantovmasiann.
