Award Winning sound mixer Phil Heywood Joins the Crew
We are incredibly proud to announce that acclaimed re-recording mixer Phil Heywood has officially joined the team for Fenech – The Jeff Fenech Story. With a career spanning some of the biggest and boldest soundscapes in Australian cinema, Phil brings a level of precision, artistry, and emotional intelligence that will help define the sonic identity of this film.
Who Is Phil Heywood?
Phil Heywood is one of Australia’s most respected re-recording mixers, known for his meticulous approach to sound and his ability to shape audio into a powerful narrative tool. Across his extensive career, Phil has worked on a wide range of award-winning films, documentaries, and high-end television series, collaborating with some of the nation’s most celebrated directors and production houses.
With decades of experience behind the console, Phil has become known for:
Creating immersive, emotionally resonant soundscapes
Crafting clarity and detail in dialogue-heavy scenes
Blending effects, Foley, and score to elevate dramatic storytelling
Handling complex multi-layered sound designs with ease
His work has contributed to films that have screened at major festivals, earned critical acclaim, and connected with audiences on a visceral level. Phil’s reputation is built not only on technical mastery but on storytelling instinct — a rare and essential combination.
“Phil Heywood is truly a master of his craft. What he brings to a film isn’t just technical skill — it’s storytelling instinct. He understands how to shape sound in a way that deepens emotion, heightens tension, and pulls you straight into the world of the film. On a project like Fenech, where every punch, breath, and heartbeat matters, having Phil at the console is invaluable. He elevates the work of everyone around him, and I couldn’t imagine a better person to craft the sonic heartbeat of this story.”
— Matt Norman, Writer/Director, FENECH
What Does a Re-Recording Mixer Do?
While much of the public’s attention goes to the visuals of filmmaking, sound is half the experience — and the re-recording mixer is the person who brings that entire sonic world to life.
A re-recording mixer is responsible for blending all elements of a film’s audio into its final polished soundtrack. This includes:
Dialogue (cleaning, balancing, enhancing clarity)
ADR & looped lines
Foley (footsteps, clothing rustle, gloves brushing rope, etc.)
Sound effects
Crowd and ambience
Music score and licensed tracks
They sculpt how each moment feels—from the intensity of a punch landing to the breath between words during a quiet confession. A re-recording mixer ensures the sound not only supports the drama but heightens it.
Great sound mixing can turn a good film into a great one. It can make an audience feel the story, not just watch it.
Why Phil Heywood Is Perfect for Fenech
Fenech – The Jeff Fenech Story is a film filled with emotional power, raw physical intensity, and intimate personal moments. It’s a story that spans family, sacrifice, violence, triumph, heartbreak, and legacy. The sound of this world matters deeply.
Here’s why Phil is an ideal fit:
1. Boxing Films Live or Die by Their Sound
The impact of leather on skin, the roar of a packed stadium, the scrape of feet in the ring — these aren’t just noises, they are storytelling devices. Phil’s precision and ability to build dynamic, visceral sound sequences will ensure every fight feels brutally real.
2. Emotional Dialogue Requires Sensitivity
Jeff Fenech’s life story includes deeply personal, vulnerable, and reflective moments. Phil’s expertise in shaping dialogue means these scenes will land with clarity and authenticity.
3. He Understands Rhythm and Space
Boxing is rhythm. Footwork is rhythm. Jeff’s heart, his drive, his breathing — rhythm. Phil’s mixing allows space for these moments to breathe while still keeping the energy alive.
4. Experience with Large-Scale Sound Design
Phil has worked across complex mixes that demanded discipline, artistry, and narrative instinct — all essential to a film with the scale and emotional depth of Fenech.
5. He Brings Calm Expertise to High-Pressure Final Mixes
Post-production can be intense. Phil is known for his calm professionalism and collaborative approach, helping ensure the audio finish is not only high quality but a positive creative experience.
A Major Win for the Fenech Team
Having Phil Heywood onboard is a huge step toward crafting a world-class audio experience for the film. His presence strengthens our post-production team and helps guarantee that Fenech will sound as powerful as it looks.
Sound is the heartbeat of cinema — and with Phil shaping ours, we’re in the very best hands.
Pro Boxer Charlie Kazzi to play Redzep Redzepovski
We’re proud to officially welcome Australian boxer Charlie Kazzi to the cast of FENECH – The Jeff Fenech Story, taking on the role of Redzep “Redzo” Redzepovski — one of the toughest, most respected fighters of the era and a
Using Pro Fighters in the ring for Fenech
Jeff Fenech didn’t just fight opponents — he fought eras, expectations, politics, pain, and himself. To honour that truth on screen, we’ve made a clear, uncompromising creative decision for FENECH: the boxing must be real. That’s why, while we are
Casting Call for Professional Boxers
We are currently casting Australian professional boxers or high-level fighters to portray key opponents from Jeff Fenech’s professional career. These are important, on-screen fight roles that require authenticity, physical credibility, and the ability to perform choreographed boxing sequences for camera.