Canberra director and producer Abhijit Deonath's drama Salt Bridge, which he also wrote, is his first foray into feature-length film.

"It's based on an Indian migrant's journey through his initial days in Australia," he said.

"How he kind of lands into trouble with a relationship with a woman and how that becomes a crisis in his life and how he comes out of that crisis."

While the film is based in a fictional Australian city, Indian-born Abhijit was keen to use Canberra, where he's lived for seven years, as his masterpiece's backdrop.

"I love Canberra, it's wonderful," he said.

"You can go out to nature, it's not too far and then you can have your city life also at the same time so it's fantastic lifestyle-wise."

With local production company Missing Bits Productions behind the scenes, the crew has filmed at locations all over town including Tidbinbilla, Telopea Park, John Knight Memorial Park and Queanbeyan Golf Club.

Abhijit brought two major Bollywood actors out to Canberra to bring the film to life.

Main character Rajeev Khandelwal has been in a number of television shows and movies back home in India, while Usha Jadhav won the best Actress Award in 2012 at the National Film Awards – India's equivalent of the Oscars.

They star alongside Chelsie Preston Crayford, who won a Logie in 2012 for her portrayal of brothel madam Tilly Devine in Underbelly:Razor, and more recently starred in ABC drama, The Code.

Filming is about one-quarter complete, and Abhijit said they hope to finish up filming by January 19, with the film ready for release by June.

Helen Faulkner has come a long way from dressing up as an elf at a Sydney shopping centre and giving horse-and-carriage rides to children at Christmas.

Those dress-up days were the start of her determination to live her passion - to create a business from her love of horses.

She and her husband Rob have achieved that - and an enviable work-life balance - through their business, the Saddle Camp, a horse activity enterprise which they run on their 68-hectare property about a 10-minute drive north-west of Braidwood.

With their children Blake, 5, Dexter, 3, and Carson, 1, they live and work on the property, offering everything from 25-minute adventure horse rides to to birthday parties to three-day sleepover camps, which include rides, picnics and dips in the swimming hole.

"It really fits in with where our lives are now," Helen said. "We're not overly busy but we're out every day doing something. We think it's perfect."

Helen used to work as a pastry chef at the famous Braidwood Bakery. Early in their relationship, she convinced Rob, a builder, to move from Wollongong to Braidwood, where he also worked at the bakery, training as a baker.

That background comes in handy as they also have a cafe on the property.

Helen, who grew up in Sydney, always loved horses. She got her first pony at 14 and the love affair with the animal was set. She bought the property in 2003 and The Saddle Camp started in 2008.

While it is tagged "girls only riding adventure", boys are allowed on the day-time activities but it is girls-only for the sleepovers. Helen says it is all about having fun and instilling confidence in the children, who even do horseback archery and ride side-saddle.

But best of all, she is doing something she loves.

"We've taken a hobby and made it a business," she said.

For more details go to saddlecamp.com.au

January looks set to heat up, so air-conditioned outings are a must. As well as the regular cinemas, a number of institutions around town are having special movie screenings, specifically aimed at keeping the little ones happy during the school holidays:

- The National Film and Sound Archives is showing Disney classics on the big screen in the Arc Cinema throughout January on Wednesday and Friday mornings at 10am. The line-up includes Bambi, Alice in Wonderland, Lady and the Tramp, The Jungle Book, The Fox and the Hound, The AristoCats, Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. Tickets $5 from the NFSA reception on 6248 2000. To see the schedule visit nfsa.gov.au.

- The National Portrait Gallery is hosting free screenings on Saturdays with Spirited Away on January 10, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, on January 17, and Lilo & Stitch on January 24, all at 2pm.

- The National Library of Australia will also screen free children's movies, in its lower-ground theatre on Thursday at 1pm. A Little Princess on January 15, FairyTale: A True Story on January 22, The Secret World of Arrietty on January 29. Bookings are essential on 6262 1271.

- From 7.30pm each Friday and Saturday night in January, the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial will be illuminated - take the opportunity to pay your respects during the 100-year anniversary of the Gallipoli landing. Volunteer guides will provide insights and stories from the Roll of Honour. Hear the recorded voices of Australian schoolchildren reciting the names of servicemen and servicewomen who appear on the First World War Roll of Honour. The names of those who lost their lives serving our country in the First World War will be projected onto the Memorial's dome after sunset. Until January 31. Fridays and Saturdays, 7.30pm-9.30pm. Free entry.

- At 7pm on Friday nights from January 16, you can explore the National Botanic Gardens at night and combine it with a degustation dinner at their delicious AFTERDARK adults only tours. Four courses with matched drinks plus a guided tour. Tickets $75 from parksaustralia.gov.au/botanic-gardens. Also on January 23, 30, February 6, 20 and March 13, 20, 27.