And its makers say the city should have its own studio.

Short Beach is set in a small Australian beachside town (Coalcliff).

Wollongong man Kieran Cato joined the crew making the film, having previously worked for producer Steve Jaggi in London.

‘‘I had just resigned from a position where I was managing a bar and had some time off to travel,’’ he recalled.

‘‘Steve Jaggi, who had been working at the same bar, was about to start filming a feature that he was producing-directing. He asked me to come on board and thought my skills in management would suit those of an assistant director.

‘‘The position was unpaid ... but I was intrigued to be stepping into a new industry and enjoyed the intensity and chaos.’’

When Jaggi arrived in Australia a year ago he decided to contact Cato again. The timing was perfect, as Cato had just returned from a global adventure visiting seven continents in seven months and was considering what to do next.

The former construction worker did not hesitate to come on board as a production co-ordinator of Short Beach and even made a cameo appearance as a villain in one scene.

Cato, who had suggested the scenic coastline around Coalcliff and Stanwell Park as the location, said Short Beach had already been pre-sold internationally.

On the final day of shooting, Jaggi and his co-producer Liz Shute said they were so impressed with the setting and co-operation of residents that they planned to shoot their next movie in the area. They suggested Wollongong should have its own film studio.

The final scenes were shot at Sea Cliff Bridge and Bald Hill in October when actress Nikki Webster’s character was filmed driving an open-topped car over the bridge towards the fictitious beachside town of Short Beach.

Jaggi said he had seen Wollongong’s amazing coastline on Top Gear so it did not take too much convincing for him to shoot in the area after producing eight films in Britain.

The main character, Denise Dixon, is played by Hilary Caitens in her first feature film.