A sweet but spoilt young socialite is thrown out of home by her parents and forced to move into an old Queenslander - with three ghosts!
Can the living and the dead co-exist?
LOGLINE
A HORROR COMEDY WITH HEART
“Haunted Housemates” is a horror comedy short film written, directed, and produced by Zara Goodman. A Co-Production between GenZara Productions, 2 Shades Lighter Entertainment, and Odyssey Motion Pictures, HHM masterfully blends gothic horror, comedy, and social commentary into a compelling coming-of-age story. It explores privilege, identity, and belonging with a sharp sense of humour and an appreciation for Brisbane’s unique cultural landscape. While our heroine’s character arc is rooted in personal growth, the film also challenges broader societal expectations, making it both a supernatural comedy and a reflection on modern young adulthood.
THE TEAM
Zara Goodman
Writer, Director, Producer
Jasmine Barui
Producer
Isaac Priest
Producer
Alex Purcell
Director of Photography
CAST
Zara Goodman
as NEVEAH
Jarrod Gildea
as ALBERT
Teah-Sophia
as DONNA
Tom Given
as RAY
James Mana
as LACHLAN
PROJECTS
BORN TO SLAY
SUPERNATURAL DRAMA - TV SERIES
Disappointed by the lack of inspiring women-led media and passionate to see a narrative-driven Gen Z supernatural urban fantasy on her own TV screen, Zara began developing fantasy drama television series Born to Slay.
Born to Slay is a story about three young women, best friends, who train to slay vampires while battling their own personal demons in a world governed by Magick, marked by political upheaval and an ever-present war against night creatures.
Born to Slay explores the complexities and beauty of womanhood, including themes of female identity, trauma, addiction, the antimonies of femininity, and the journey towards self-love and healing. This is a series by women for women.
WE CAME TO SERVE
MILITARY COMEDY - TV SERIES
Inspired by her own experiences as a “starving artist” and her family’s background in the British army and navy, Zara began developing the fun and heart-warming Gen Z military sitcom We Came to Serve.
We Came to Serve is a story about a perky young actress who loses her grandfather and her job in the same day, and joins the Australian Army Reserve to pay her bills and be close to her grandfather, a retired decorated General, making friends and memories to last a lifetime.
We Came to Serve explores themes of personal growth, camaraderie, duty and honour, found family, and pursuing one’s dreams. This is a series that Zara hopes will tug at the hearts of viewers as much as it makes them laugh.
ELMSTONE
HORROR COMEDY - FEATURE FILM
Having grown up surrounded by the sparse landscapes of regional Far North Queensland, and possessing a deep appreciation for gothicism, Zara felt inspired to create the gothic comedy mystery short film Elmstone.
Elmstone is about the four adopted siblings who reunite at the funeral of their father in their eccentric, disturbing hometown in rural Queensland, and discover that the circumstances surrounding his death are not all they seem to be.
Elmstone explores the themes of loss, grief, family estrangement, generational trauma, and the long, complicated journey towards forgiveness. It is a story that Zara desires would touch the hearts of people of all ages and backgrounds.
THE MAIDS’ MEMOIRS
PERIOD MURDER MYSTERY - TV SERIES
Combining her love of period pieces, murder mysteries, and British comedy, and desiring to capitalise on the rise of Bridgerton and similar shows, Zara began creating the period comedy mystery series The Maids’ Memoirs.
The Maids’ Memoirs is a story about two lady’s maids and best friends who accidentally become embroiled in a murder investigation after a serial killer begins targeting members of the tonne whilst dealing with unexpected love and their dubious heritage in Regency-era England.
The Maids’ Memoirs explores themes of discrimination, status, and womanhood and mixed identity in Regency-era England. Zara hopes that the series is equal parts entertaining, suspenseful, challenging, and heart-warming.