Paraskevas Mourikis
- Director
- Writer
- Producer
For anyone who has stumbled across this page, rest assured this biography aims to break the mold; there is nothing worse than an uninspiring, overlong profile that insists upon itself.
For as far back as he can remember, Parry always wanted to be a filmmaker. Growing up in the South East Suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, his ultimate sanctuary was the local Video-Ezy down the road. To a kid, it felt like stepping into another dimension, a place where he and his dad were greeted by a family friend, Bill, who ran the shop, and the possibilities on the shelves were endless.
His obsession started early with Batman Forever and Spider-Man on VHS, but it wasn't long before his cinematic taste took a darker turn. Courtesy of his mother, he discovered Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which quickly spiraled into obsessive viewings of Underworld and The Lost Boys. By his own admission, he had a massive vampire phase. He was an edgy kid, what can he say?
Once those floodgates opened, there was no turning back. Parry found himself continuously swept away by fantastical characters and epic storytelling. The films didn't just stay on the screen, either; their soundtracks became the daily score to his high school commute, cementing a lifelong appreciation for the marriage of sound and moving image.
However, after graduating high school in 2015, reality set in. The dream of filmmaking felt distant and unattainable for a kid from Melbourne. Seeking a practical path, Parry studied for a Diploma of Graphic Design in 2016. Uncertain of his next steps and lacking confidence in the job market, he took a position detailing cars at a local car wash. He stayed there for three years, quietly collecting a mental catalog of the interesting characters he encountered, assuming his graphic design qualifications would likely go unused.
Then, in 2017, a surreal turning point arrived. Out of nowhere, his boss assigned him an unusual off-site detailing job at a residential home. It was completely outside the business's normal operations, requiring a rare and anxious 7:00 AM start.
Prepping for the job with an overwhelming sense of uncertainty, Parry arrived early on location. Soon after, a van pulled up, followed by another car, and then another. Within minutes, the ordinary driveway transformed before his eyes: C-stands flew up, 20-foot diffusion grids were assembled, cinema cameras were built, and boom microphones were raised. He had unwittingly been sent to detail a hero vehicle on an active commercial film set.
Witnessing the chaotic magic of a live set firsthand changed everything. Swept back up by his childhood dream, Parry went home that very day and applied to every film school in Melbourne. Months later, he was accepted into the SAE Institute. Immersing himself fully into the world of film, the transition happened so rapidly he barely had time to process how it was all possible.
While at university, Parry channeled his personal experiences into his craft. Among his favorite projects were My Dad Spiro, a deeply personal short documentary about his father who passed away when Parry was just 15, and his graduation film, Arni & Dana, a project that saw his team ambitiously build a physical set and half a robot in the midst of a global pandemic.
After graduating and receiving his qualification, he immediately hit the ground running in the freelance space. His post-university career quickly became a masterclass in hustle; within the span of just four years, Parry worked on ten independent feature films, a vast array of music videos, short films, and commercial advertisements, while also gaining experience in the theatre space as a set builder and junior stagehand. He followed up his university success with the release of his next short film, Rock Paper Milkshake.
In 2024, Parry took a major entrepreneurial step by founding his own production company, Spyridon Pictures, named in honor of his late father, Spiro. Since its inception, the banner has produced several short films and music videos, with the ultimate aspiration of transitioning into full-length feature filmmaking.
Looking back on his journey, Parry remains incredibly grateful and fortunate for the opportunities he has had and the friends who have supported him along the way. For anyone reading who finds themselves where he once was, he offers a reminder that he never thought any of this would be possible. He was just a kid in front of a television, like many others. His career stands as proof of his belief that it all begins with a dream.
For as far back as he can remember, Parry always wanted to be a filmmaker. Growing up in the South East Suburbs of Melbourne, Australia, his ultimate sanctuary was the local Video-Ezy down the road. To a kid, it felt like stepping into another dimension, a place where he and his dad were greeted by a family friend, Bill, who ran the shop, and the possibilities on the shelves were endless.
His obsession started early with Batman Forever and Spider-Man on VHS, but it wasn't long before his cinematic taste took a darker turn. Courtesy of his mother, he discovered Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which quickly spiraled into obsessive viewings of Underworld and The Lost Boys. By his own admission, he had a massive vampire phase. He was an edgy kid, what can he say?
Once those floodgates opened, there was no turning back. Parry found himself continuously swept away by fantastical characters and epic storytelling. The films didn't just stay on the screen, either; their soundtracks became the daily score to his high school commute, cementing a lifelong appreciation for the marriage of sound and moving image.
However, after graduating high school in 2015, reality set in. The dream of filmmaking felt distant and unattainable for a kid from Melbourne. Seeking a practical path, Parry studied for a Diploma of Graphic Design in 2016. Uncertain of his next steps and lacking confidence in the job market, he took a position detailing cars at a local car wash. He stayed there for three years, quietly collecting a mental catalog of the interesting characters he encountered, assuming his graphic design qualifications would likely go unused.
Then, in 2017, a surreal turning point arrived. Out of nowhere, his boss assigned him an unusual off-site detailing job at a residential home. It was completely outside the business's normal operations, requiring a rare and anxious 7:00 AM start.
Prepping for the job with an overwhelming sense of uncertainty, Parry arrived early on location. Soon after, a van pulled up, followed by another car, and then another. Within minutes, the ordinary driveway transformed before his eyes: C-stands flew up, 20-foot diffusion grids were assembled, cinema cameras were built, and boom microphones were raised. He had unwittingly been sent to detail a hero vehicle on an active commercial film set.
Witnessing the chaotic magic of a live set firsthand changed everything. Swept back up by his childhood dream, Parry went home that very day and applied to every film school in Melbourne. Months later, he was accepted into the SAE Institute. Immersing himself fully into the world of film, the transition happened so rapidly he barely had time to process how it was all possible.
While at university, Parry channeled his personal experiences into his craft. Among his favorite projects were My Dad Spiro, a deeply personal short documentary about his father who passed away when Parry was just 15, and his graduation film, Arni & Dana, a project that saw his team ambitiously build a physical set and half a robot in the midst of a global pandemic.
After graduating and receiving his qualification, he immediately hit the ground running in the freelance space. His post-university career quickly became a masterclass in hustle; within the span of just four years, Parry worked on ten independent feature films, a vast array of music videos, short films, and commercial advertisements, while also gaining experience in the theatre space as a set builder and junior stagehand. He followed up his university success with the release of his next short film, Rock Paper Milkshake.
In 2024, Parry took a major entrepreneurial step by founding his own production company, Spyridon Pictures, named in honor of his late father, Spiro. Since its inception, the banner has produced several short films and music videos, with the ultimate aspiration of transitioning into full-length feature filmmaking.
Looking back on his journey, Parry remains incredibly grateful and fortunate for the opportunities he has had and the friends who have supported him along the way. For anyone reading who finds themselves where he once was, he offers a reminder that he never thought any of this would be possible. He was just a kid in front of a television, like many others. His career stands as proof of his belief that it all begins with a dream.
