CinefestOZ, Australia’s largest destination film festival , today announced the release of its 2023 program of films and events, which includes world and Australian film premieres and the awarding of Australia’s richest Film Prize.

Celebrating its 16th year, the six-day festival will be held from 29 August – 3 September in Western Australia’s South West and will provide festival-goers with the opportunity to see some of Australia’s best new films first, and connect with filmmakers and visiting talent at the region’s cinemas, wineries, restaurants, boutique breweries, small bars and galleries in Augusta, Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River.

“Unique Australian stories are at the heart of the CinefestOZ Film Festival and we hope you will love this year’s film selections, which celebrate the diversity of our country and its people, and the film events where festivalgoers can meet filmmakers, enjoy fantastic food, wine and music and most importantly have fun and be entertained,” said CinefestOZ Chair Margaret Buswell.

“In addition to the four outstanding films that are up for the $100,000 Film Prize – Bromley: Beyond the Dark; Monolith; and MIFF@CinefestOZ films Shayda and The Rooster – there are plenty more highlights including the world premiere of thriller Bring Him To Me starring Sam Neill and Rachel Griffiths; the Australian Premiere of Ben Kingsley’s new sci-fi comedy Jules, produced by Debbie Liebling of South Park fame; and, a not-to-be missed music event with special guests celebrating EGO: The Michael Gudinski Story – the story around Michael Gudinski’s creation of Mushroom Records.

“We’ll also announce our special filmmaker and talent guests over the coming weeks, including the five person Film Prize Jury who have the challenging task of determining the winner of the 2023 CinefestOZ Film Prize.”

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Film Prize Screenings, After Parties and In Conversation Events

Ahead of each Film Prize premiere screening at Orana Cinemas Busselton, filmmakers and attending talent will walk the red carpet, followed by an after-party at a South West hotspot.  Each Film Prize film is also paired with a unique In Conversation dining experience, which takes place the following day and is where the filmmakers share with guests how they brought their projects to life, while enjoying sensational food at some of the South West’s best restaurants.

Shayda
Wed 30 Aug Screening + after party (Shelter Brewing Co)
Thu 31 Aug In Conversation lunch at Rustico@Hay Shed Hill

Bromley: Light After Dark
Thu 31 Aug Screening + after party (The Goose Beach Bar & Kitchen)
Fri 1 Sep In Conversation lunch at The Studio Bistro

Monolith
Fri 1 Sep Screening + after party (Hally’s)
Sat 2 Sep In Conversation breakfast at Shelter Brewing Co

The Rooster
Fri 1 Sep Screening + after party (Hally’s)
Sat 2 Sep In Conversation lunch at Yarri Bar & Restaurant

A special In Conversation Jury Lunch with all the members of the Film Prize Jury will be held at Aravina Estate on Saturday 27 August.

Film Awards Celebration – Saturday 2 September Sabina River Farm Busselton 7PM
Combining red carpet action, the cream of Australia’s filmmaking talent, the awarding of the high-profile Screen Legend and coveted $100,000 CinefestOZ Film Prize and a legendary cocktail party with food, drink and entertainment until midnight.

Film Themes

Music Lovers Ego: The Michael Gudinksi Story; John Farnham: Finding the Voice; The Angels:Kickin’ Down the Door; Three Chords and the Truth; This is Going to Be Big.

First Nations The New Boy; Keeping Hope, which shines a light on Indigenous youth suicide in the Kimberley co-produced by CinefestOZ ambassador Mark Coles Smith; Kindred;The Carnival; The Dark Emu Story; plus, Deadly Shorts (short film set).

Real Stories Rachel’s Farm, with director and actress Rachel Ward; Disconnect Me (World Premiere); Australia’s Open; Watanda, My Countryman.

With a Twist new immersive and fun film screening and experiences: Priscilla – Queen of the Desert30^th Celebration; A Savage Christmas (World Premiere); Blind Date with a Frenchie; Greatest Surf Movie in the Universe.

Short Film Program

In addition to the Film Prize, many more films will also be in competition in the Short Films section of the festival. There are four short films sets including Deadly Indigenous; Fantastic Friday (comedy), Homegrown WA, and Rollercoaster (drama), and then the best of the best at the Short Film Awards 31 August.

Industry Program

Two days of inspiring talks, unique workshops and fantastic networking opportunities. Program of speakers to be announced.

Cinesnaps (Schools Program)

CinefestOZ works with primary and secondary students in regional WA throughout the year and during Festival to develop our next generation of filmmakers. This includes holding free events during the Festival’s Community Days featuring IndigifestOZ as well as the Cinesnaps Short Film Competition and Awards (Thursday 31 August)

FREE Community Events featuring IndigifestOZ

A range of free film screenings, talks, performances, markets and events celebrating our First National people and saying thank you to the diverse communities of Augusta, Bunbury, Busselton and Margaret River.

Download the official CinefestOZ app to search session times, book tickets and build your calendar of events during the festival.

CinefestOZ would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land we live and work on, and pay our respect to the Elders past, present and future.

Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story

Directed by Paul Goldman
Written by Bethany Jones, Paul Goldman and Sara Edwards
Produced by Bethany Jones, Paige McGinley and Paul Goldman
Featuring Jimmy Barnes, Vika & Linda Bull, Neil Finn, Tim Finn, Garbage, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, Vance Joy, Paul Kelly, Kylie Minogue, Mark Seymour, Ed Sheeran, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, The Temper Trap and many more.

A rare insight into how hitmaker and trailblazer Michael Gudinski inspired the soundtrack of a nation and revolutionised the Australian music industry. We follow Gudinski’s relentless pursuit of success over five decades as he launches Mushroom Records and the careers of countless artists, promotes legendary international acts, and takes Australian music to the world. Featuring exclusive interviews with some of the world’s most influential artists, extraordinary rare footage, and an electrifying soundtrack, this documentary reveals the man behind the music and the unstoppable force that was Michael Gudinski.

Shayda

Written and directed by Noora Niasari
Produced by Vincent Sheehan and Noora Niasari
Starring Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Osamah Sami, Leah Purcell, Jillian Nguyen, Mojean Aria, Rina Mousavi and Selina Zahednia

An Iranian woman living in Australia, Shayda finds refuge in a women’s shelter with her frightened 6-year-old daughter, Mona. Having fled her husband, Hossein, and filed for divorce, Shayda struggles to maintain normalcy for Mona. Buoyed by the approach of Nowruz (Persian New Year), she tries to forge a fresh start with new and unfettered freedoms. But when a judge grants Hossein visitation rights, he re-enters their life, stoking Shayda’s fear that he’ll attempt to take Mona back to Iran.

Drawn from personal experiences, Iranian-Australian filmmaker Noora Niasari’s powerful debut feature is a beautifully crafted, poetic vérité portrayal of courage and compassion, anchored by a heart-rending performance by Zar Amir Ebrahimi (2022 Cannes’ best actress award winner for Holy Spider).

Beyond The Reef

Directed by Luke Wheatley
Written by Georgia Harrison
Produced by Steve Jaggi and Beckie Adams
Featuring Shuang Hu

Join actor and part-time adventurer Shuang Hu (@theoneshu) on a giant screen adventure of a lifetime as she travels to one of the oldest and most beautiful ecological habitats in the world – The Great Barrier Reef.

Shuang’s journey begins with scuba training along the outer edge of the reef, where her nerves give way to amazement at the colour and energy of the underwater world that unfolds before her.

Shuang’s adventure continues inland where she explores the oldest rainforest in the world. From a boat ride down a crocodile-infested river, swimming under ancient waterfalls to rafting down the wild Barron Gorge rapids, the adventure becomes action-packed before calming down to feast on local culinary delights.

Travelling by land, air and sea, Shuang discovers the area’s history, its secrets, and humanity’s relationship with the region in a journey best experienced in cinema’s glorious premium large format.

The Dark Emu Story

Directed by Allan Clarke
Written by Allan Clarke, Jacob Hickey
Produced by Darren Dale, Belinda Mravicic and Jacob Hickey
Featuring Bruce Pascoe, Suellyn Tighe, Bill Gammage, Dr Judith Field , Kerrie Saunders, Prof. Dr Marcia Langton Ao, Narelda Jacobs, Assoc. Prof. Julienne Van Loon, Russell Mark, Stephen Page, Stan Grant, Benjamin Law, Prof. Emeritus Tom Griffiths Ao, Jason Ford, Bradley Hardy, Cameron Fox, Kirk Eyre, Lily Shearer, Dr Peter Sutton, Dr Keryn Walshe, Dr Scott Cane, Dorothy Pootchemunka, Laura Mcbride, Prof. Paul Memmott Ao, Linc Walker, Bennett Walker, Lyn Harwood, Joshua Gorringe, Assoc. Prof. Michael Westaway, Trudy Gorringe, Doug Williams, Jydaya Gorringe, Dakota Smith, Karlie Noon and Chris Harris

A thought provoking, revelatory and inspiring documentary telling the story of Bruce Pascoe’s Dark Emu – the publishing phenomenon that challenged Australia to rethink its history and ignited a raging debate.

The 2014 best-selling book makes the explosive claims that First Nations people were not only hunters and gatherers but also farmers who were part of a complex economic system. But Dark Emu has ignited a fierce debate, sparking searing criticism. Academics, and conservative commentators have lined up to pour scorn upon Pascoe’s work and question the knowledge of the First Australians.

The Dark Emu Story is a feature length documentary that delves into the controversy, provides a platform for First Nations people to share their remarkable stories and enlightens our understanding of Australian history.

Rachel’s Farm

Directed by Rachel Ward
Produced by Bettina Dalton
Featuring Rachel Ward

Film director and actress Rachel Ward is not the first person you’d expect to join a farming revolution. In this triumphant film, Rachel voyages from wilful ignorance about the ecological impacts of conventional agriculture on her own rural property, to embracing a movement to restore the health of Australia’s farmland, food and climate.

Disconnect Me

Written and directed by Alex Lykos
Produced by Alex Lykos and Peter Maple
Starring Alex Lykos, Dr Danielle Einstein, Professor Toby Walsh, Dr Catriona Wallace, Angelina Castelli and Oliver Atkins

Directed by independent filmmaker Alex Lykos (Alex & Eve, Me & My Left Brain), Disconnect Me examines the ever-pervasive role of technology in our lives.

The film centres around Alex who disconnects from his smartphone, indeed all of his devices, for a full 30 days. How will he and those around him react? What will be the effects on his life? Will he be happier or unhappier?

Offering a fresh new innovative interactive cinema-going experience, Disconnect Me encourages audiences to engage with the film in real time using their smartphones whilst at the same time asking the audience to question their relationship with their smartphones.

Kindred

Written and directed by Gillian Moody and Adrian Russell Wills
Produced by Tom Zubrycki and Gillian Moody

When Gillian Moody and Adrian Russell Wills met making their first short film together little did they know that twenty five years later they would be best friends relying on each other to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of being Aboriginal, adopted into white families, who in adult years created deep relationships with their bloodline families.

This story explores the importance of discovering your place in the world and in realising that home and love truly can be found in the people and places that your heart connects too. KINDRED is a journey into the complexities of family, self love, isolation and belonging.

The Angels: Kickin’ Down The Door

Directed by Madeleine Parry
Written by Rick Brewster and John Brewster
Produced by Martin Fabinyi, Peter Hanlon and Rick Davies

The Angels exploded onto the local music scene with the searing guitars of the Brewster brothers and the incomparable showmanship of front-man Doc Neeson. Their chemistry saw them become one of the biggest bands in Australia and on the verge of international success. But their lust for fame fractured bonds and dreams, and when the leader of the band was asked to leave by his own brother, the hurt estranged them for years.

This intimate and compelling documentary feature explores the tensions that tore a band apart and helped them produce such classic hits as Take a Long Line, Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again and No Secrets.

Bromley: Light After Dark

Directed by Sean McDonald
Produced by Clare Plueckhahn and Cathy Rodda
Featuring David Bromley and Yuge Bromley

Bromley: Light after Dark is a rousing exploration of life, love and creativity. David Bromley found that art appeased the voices in his head and helped him find beauty in the world, so he made the life-changing decision to commit his whole being to something meaningful. With intimate access to the world of this prominent Australian artist, we peel away the layers of anxiety, phobias and suicide survival, whilst embracing the humour and energy that is ever-present. David’s journey is not complete without his wife Yuge and it’s through this powerful partnership that we witness firsthand the fragility of David’s world and state of mind. As the Bromley’s live their authentic lives, interviews with friends, critics and musicians add perspectives and insight on the creative process, mental health, and commercialisation of art. Ultimately this is a love story for the ages and a rousing exploration of life and creativity. As David himself says, “art saved my life”. But that’s just the beginning of this story…

Keeping Hope

Directed by Tyson Mowarin
Produced by Darren Hutchinson
Presented by Mark Coles Smith

There have been periods where, if the Kimberley in Australia’s far northwest was a country, it would have the highest suicide rates in the world. The vast majority are young Indigenous men. Mark Coles Smith, an Indigenous actor who grew up in the Kimberley, returns to try to discover why this is the case. This is a subject that is close to Mark’s heart – his best friend committed suicide when he was just 23. On his journey, Mark meets some remarkable people directly affected by suicide and who are now making a real difference in suicide prevention. He also faces up to his own loss and questions how others can learn from it.

It Only Takes a Night

Written and directed by Callan Durlik
Produced by Kara Pisconeri, Josh Horneman, and Callan Durlik
Starring Eliza Taylor, George Pullar, Arielle Carver-O’Neill, Sana’a Shaik, ‘Ana Ika, Jaime Ureta and Charles Grounds

In one night, four girlfriends will have their hearts broken and mended again. Before the sun rises, they will drink, dance, make love and end up in the hospital…as all life-changing nights tend to go.

Ruby can’t seem to shake her ex who continues to show up through the night…with a new girl nonetheless. Emma is keeping a secret from them all, Nina has a huge announcement that no one cares about and Sophie, well, Sophie just needs to get laid.

Throughout the night they cross paths with three guys: one Australian, one Spanish and a flamboyant Swedish waiter who certainly makes the night more interesting.

A Savage Christmas

Directed by Madeleine Dyer
Written by Madeleine Dyer, Daniel Mulvihill and Max Jahufer
Produced by Daniel Mulvihill and Ben McNeill
Starring Darren Gilshenan, Helen Thomson, Ryan Morgan, David Roberts, Thea Raveneau, Max Jahufer, Rekha Ryan and Gary Sweet

For the dysfunctional Savage family, Christmas is always held at the decadent Gold Coast family home. Empty nesters James Sr and Brenda greet their adult children: Trans-woman Davina with trans-partner Kane, mentally ill gambler Jimmy Jnr, and newly separated pill-popper mum Leia.

Crazy Uncle Dick arrives in full Santa regalia and kickstarts the opening of unwelcome gifts while Brenda struggles with the Christmas Turkey. As family secrets come to light and happy facades unravel, the day descends into chaos. A mobster arrives to take Jimmy hostage for unpaid debts, and the family are forced to come to terms with old wounds. It’s not the Christmas they want, but perhaps it’s the one they need.

Rose Gold

Directed by Matthew Adekponya
Produced by Richard Finlayson

Matthew Adekponya’s feature debut is a clear three-pointer: not only a behind-the-scenes look at how the Boomers achieved their first ever international medal, but also the story of basketball in the country and a thrilling account of mateship that saw Australia held up on the world stage. Former pro-basketballer, Adekponya weaves BTS footage from his years embedded with the team, with exclusive interviews from coaches, commentators and a star-studded line-up of Australian and NBA players (including Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Andrew Gaze, Andrew Bogut & Matisse Thybulle). Rose Gold, with creative consultation from Kriv Stenders (Australia Day, MIFF 2017; Red Dog, MIFF 2011) and Allan Clarke (Dark Emu, SFF 2023; Australian Story: Blood On The Tracks 2018), is an unmissable, insiders view of an unforgettable moment in Australian sport, and the never-say die determination that brought the nation’s team to glory.

Watandar, My Countryman

Directed by Jolyon Hoff
Written by Muzafar Ali and Jolyon Hoff
Produced by Hamish Ludbrook, Muzafar Ali and Jolyon Hoff
Featuring Muzafar Ali, Nici Cumpston, Ken Dadleh, Elaine Mackean, Aminullah Shamrose, Janet Shamrose, Frank Wilson, Irene Zada and Larl Zada

From acclaimed director Jolyon Hoff (Searching for Michael Peterson, The Staging Post) comes a deeply touching journey of discovery, identity and connection, told through the eyes of Afghan Hazara former-refugee Muzafar Ali.

Arriving in Australia, Muzafar discovers that Afghans have been an integral part of Australia for over 160 years. He begins to photograph their descendants in an attempt to understand his new Afghan-Australian identity. Then the Taliban take over Afghanistan and his old country comes calling.

The New Boy

Written and directed by Warwick Thornton
Produced by Kath Shelper
Starring Cate Blanchett, Aswan Reid, Deborah Mailman and Wayne Blair

Set in 1940s Australia, the story of a nine-year-old Aboriginal orphan boy who arrives in the dead of night at a remote monastery, run by a renegade nun where his presence disturbs the delicately balanced world in this story of spiritual struggle and the cost of survival.

Three Chords and the Truth

Written and directed by Claire Pasvolsky
Produced by Steve Pasvolsky, Ian Sutherland, Bin Li
Featuring Jackie Marshall, Maisie Owens, Matthew Heys

Angie (Marshall) could have been one of Australia’s leading musicians, but she sabotaged her own career. Now in her forties, she’s dying and alone – but determined to record one last album. Money is tight and the odd gig at the local pub doesn’t exactly fill the coffers.

When she meets teenage runaway Ruby (Maisie Owens), the pair form an unlikely bond. Angie teaches her to play the guitar and write songs, but despite their closeness Angie just can’t bring herself to tell Ruby the truth about her illness. Marshall’s own songs, and resonant voice, alongside the Newcastle setting, bring a tender authenticity to this rebellious music-driven drama.

Sunflower

Directed by Gabriel Carrubba
Produced by Gabriel Carrubba and Zane Borg
Written by Gabriel Carrubba
Starring Liam Mollica, Luke Morgan, Olivia Fildes, Daniel Halmarick and Elias Anton

Seventeen-year-old Leo has his life together in the high school hierarchy: drunken parties, decent grades, the popular girlfriend; and comes home to the loving bickering only a family can provide. But Leo experiences an identity crisis as he becomes increasingly attracted to his best friend, Boof. His well-groomed facade begins to crack and with every step Leo takes towards embracing his sexuality, he must also overcome the incessant, socialised homophobia of the boy’s locker room. Hopeful and romantic, this is an enticing drama about growing up with your heart stuck in your mouth. Featuring performances from fresh hot talent including Liam Mollica, Luke J. Morgan and a supporting turn from Elias Anton (Of an Age).

The Rooster

Written and directed by Mark Leonard Winter
Produced by Geraldine Hakewill and Mahveen Shahraki
Starring Phoenix Raei, Hugo Weaving, John Waters, Rhys Mitchell, Robert Menzies, Deidre Rubenstein, Tom Stokes and Jane Montgomery Griffiths

Dan is an introverted cop who lives alone with his chickens and beloved rooster, patrolling the one-man satellite police station of a small town in rural Victoria.

After an incident with his childhood Steve, Dan chooses not to follow police protocol and instead returns Steve to his ageing parents who are at the end of their tether.

The next day Steve is found dead; buried in a shallow grave in the bush.

Dan hands in his gun and begins drinking, haunted by Steve and the responsibility he feels for his death. When his pet rooster is killed by a fox, Dan lets go of the fragile tether he has on his sanity. He retreats to camp out in the forest, seeking answers and isolation.

After a chance encounter with an eccentric old Hermit living deep amongst the trees, Dan suspects that this man may have been the last person to see his friend alive.

As Dan gets closer to the truth of Steve’s last few hours, a deep bond is formed between the two men who have both found themselves unable to exist in society. Over games of table tennis, Dan and the Hermit gradually open up to each other. However, all is not as it seems, and both men must confront their personal demons as they find that hope can come from unlikely places. 

Bring Him To Me

Directed by Luke Sparke
Written by Tom Evans
Produced by Carly Sparke, Carmel Imrie and Luke Sparke
Starring Barry Pepper, Sam Neill, Rachel Griffiths, Jamie Costa and Liam McIntyre

After a violent robbery, a mild-mannered getaway driver is on his way to pick up his cut of the money. Enroute, he receives a fateful call from his merciless boss, Veronica, telling him that the newest member of their crew has double crossed them.

Under threat and with little information, Driver is ordered to pick up the young and unsuspecting crew member, known as Passenger, and drive him on an hour-long journey to an ambush execution. With repercussions of the robbery on their tail, Driver’s conscience is about to be tested as loyalties and morals collide.

The Greatest Surf Movie in the Universe

Directed by Vaughan Blakey and Nick Pollet
Written by Vaughan Blakey
Produced by Bronte Pictures
Starring Mick Fanning, Craig Anderson, Mason Ho, Griffin Colapinto, Jack Freestone, Matt Wilkinson and feat and Kelly Slater

10 years from now a virus more deadly and more contagious than anything we’ve ever seen decimates all the world’s living creatures. Facing a total extinction event, a brilliant geneticist named Dr Jonathan Figg discovers a miracle vaccine that is fast-tracked into production, saving the final remnants of humanity. Unfortunately, there’s one terrible side effect-the vaccine completely erases all memory of surfing from the human mind.

It’s a strange and abstract time as the World’s Best Surfers stumble blindly into new lives and careers oblivious to the incredible talents they once possessed.

Sensing the total extinction of wave riding, the surf God, Huey, makes a last-ditch effort to save surfing. He scours the globe until, high on a mountaintop in Tibet, he finds the one man capable of bringing surfing back from the dead.

With his memory reinstated by Huey, it’s now up to three Time World Champion Surfer Mick Fanning to recruit a team of the world’s best surfers (including Mason Ho, Griffin Colapinto, Jack Freestone, Craig Anderson and Matt Wilkinson) and restore the glory of surfing back into public consciousness. There’s only one way to do it and that’s to make THE GREATEST SURF MOVIE IN THE UNIVERSE.

Monolith

Directed by Matt Veseley
Written by Lucy Campbell
Produced by Bettina Hamilton
Starring Lily Sullivan

A bold sci-fi thriller featuring one woman, one location and a mystery uncovered through audio – in which a journalist discovers a strange artifact and begins to convince herself it is evidence of an alien conspiracy. Recently disgraced and desperate for a story, The Interviewer holes herself up in her parents’ luxurious home and gets to work on the only job she can get – hosting a clickbait investigative podcast. When she receives an anonymous email leading her to a retired housekeeper who claims her life has been destroyed by a strange black brick, The Interviewer embarks on a mystery that leads her down a rabbit hole of truth and lies at the heart of her own story.

John Farnham: Finding the Voice

Directed by Poppy Stockell
Written by Poppy Stockell and Paul Clarke
Produced by Mikael Borglund and Martin Fabinyi
Starring Gaynor Wheatley, Glenn Wheatley, Jimmy Barnes and David Hirschfelder

A landmark theatrical documentary to celebrate Australia’s greatest singer and his journey from the suburbs of Melbourne to 60’s pop fame, through life’s highs and lows, ultimately to record-breaking success as ‘Australia’s Voice’.

It’s the story of a singer and an audience coming together to believe in each other. John Farnham was 38 years old when Whispering Jack was released. He was hardly old but certainly battle scarred. He had shone as a manufactured ‘60s pop star and was crowned the King of Pop five years running but there were many desperate years, losing his home and nearly his marriage, before John was handed the cassette that contained the demo recording of You’re The Voice and his transition from singer to artist was finally set in motion.

Sons Of Summer

Directed by Clive Fleury
Written by Phillip Avalon and Greg Clayton
Produced by Phillip Avalon and Tim Maddocks
Starring Temuera Morrison, Isabel Lucas, Joe Davidson, Pacha Luque-Light and Alex Fleri

Four surfing sons plan a tribute ‘surfari’ to a small beach town for one of their fathers murdered three decades earlier. But some road trips are to die for.

Tennessine

Directed by Amin Palangi
Written by Osamah Sami
Produced by Ulysses Oliver, Ben Ferris and Amin Palangi
Starring Osamah Sami, Faezeh Alavi and Robert Rabiah

Tennessine follows Arash (Osamah Sami – 2023 Sundance Audience Award winner Shayda), who against his family’s wishes, arrives in Australia to reunite with the love of his life, the elusive Nazanin (Faezeh Alavi). While the couple is about to spend a romantic weekend in a cabin in the woods, the arrival of Nasser, Nazanin’s supervisor, (AACTA-nominated actor Robert Rabiah) interrupts the idyllic reunion Arash had hoped for and raises doubts about his relationship with Nazanin.

Spoken in Persian and English and set against a background of migration and the Australian landscape, Tennessine is a thoughtful drama with the taut energy of a thriller, portraying the effects of displacement and exploring themes of family duty, belonging and love.

Birdeater

Directed by Jack Clark and Jim Weir
Written by Osamah Sami and Jack Clark
Produced by Stephanie Troost and Ulysses Oliver
Starring Mackenzie Fearnley, Shabana Azeez, Ben Hunter, Jack, Bannister, Clementine Anderson, Alfie Gledhill and Harley Wilson

Recently engaged Irene (Shabana Azeez) has been roped into joining her awkward but loving fiancé Louie’s (Mackenzie Fearnley) buck’s party weekend out in the sticks. Louie’s dropkick groomsmen, however, have more in mind than just a quiet glass of pinot by the fire, and as night falls the celebration nosedives into a feverish, drug-fuelled train wreck. Inspired by the likes of ‘Wake in Fright’, directing duo Jack Clark and Jim Weir present a challenging, darkly comic portrait of young Aussie men that strikes a little too close to home.

Late Night With The Devil

Written and directed by Cameron Cairnes and Colin Cairnes
Produced by Mat Govoni, Adam White, John Molloy, Steven Schneider, Roy Lee and Derek Dauchy
Starring David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon, Ian Bliss and Fayssal Bazzi

31 October, 1977. Johnny Carson rival, Jack Delroy, is the host of ‘Night Owls’, a once hugely popular syndicated talk show. A year on from the tragic death of Jack’s wife, ratings have plummeted and sponsors are getting nervous. Desperate to turn his fortunes around, Jack pulls out all the stops for his annual Halloween special, booking a psychic, a professional skeptic, a parapsychologist and a young girl allegedly possessed by the devil… What could possibly go wrong?

Priscilla Queen Of The Dessert

Written and directed by Stephan Elliott
Produced by Al Clark and Michael Hamlyn
Starring Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce and Terence Stamp

Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce and Terrance Stamp star in this cult classic Australian film – The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert –  which became a surprise worldwide hit after its international screening at the 1994 Canne Film Festival and positive portrayal of LGBTQ individuals. Nearly 30 years on it’s just as entertaining and relevant. The plot follows two drag queens (Weaving and Pearce) and a transgender woman (Stamp) as they perform their way across the Australian Outback in a tour bus named ‘Priscilla’ learning about themselves and each other along the way!

The Big Dog

Written and directed by Dane McCusker
Produced by Jessica Murphy and Claudia Shepherd
Starring Julian Garner, Felicity Price, Asha Boswarva and Michael Monk

Richard Morgan, 53 is a stockbroker, suburban family man – and secret findom addict. On the morning of his son’s graduation party, he discovers his dominatrix has cleaned out all of his bank accounts including the money for the graduation present – a new car. Now over the course of one Saturday, he must try and recover the $76,000 without his wife discovering his secret life. Will he transcend and grow or will his insistence to cling to old ways destroy his entire life? Intimacy, power and money collide unhealthily in this acidic dark comedy from award winning filmmaker Dane McCusker.

This Is Going To Be Big

Written and directed by Thomas Charles Hyland
Produced by Catherine Bradbury, Josie Mason Campbell and Jim Wright
Starring Students: Halle, Josh, Chelsea and Elyse & Teachers: Lori & Darcy

Teenagers Chelsea, Elyse, Halle and Josh share their dreams and confront their challenges on and off stage in the lead up to the performance of the musical staged by their high school for students living with disabilities.

The Time Travelling Trio musical is the story of students who visit Australian national treasure John Farnham over four decades from the 60s to the 90s while doing an assignment on the singer. Music teacher Darcy Nolan and drama teacher Lori Nichols are the jukebox musical’s co-creators and school facilities manager Tony Rains is on board as the veteran producer. All are firm believers in the power of performance and theatre to inspire confidence, spark connections and create fun.

In the countdown to curtain-up, these four students have the love and support of family and teachers as they face crises of confidence, health issues and the momentous and ordinary rituals of teen life.

Scarygirl

Directed by Ricard Cussó and Tania Vincent
Written by Craig Behenna, Matt Everitt & Les Tuner, Polly Watkins and Cristin O’Carroll
Produced by Sophie Byrne, Nadine Bates, Kristen Souvlis and Ryan Greaves
Starring Jillian Nguyen, Sam Neill, Deborah Mailman, Mark Coles Smith, Dylan Alcott, Rob Collins and Tim Minchin

As her world is shrouded in darkness, a young girl must overcome her fears and travel to a mysterious city of light, save her father from a dangerous scientist and prevent the destruction of her planet.

Australia’s Open

Written and directed by Ili Baré
Produced by Charlotte Wheaton and Nick Batzias
Featuring Pat Cash, Tracey Holmes, Bruce McAvaney, Frances Tiafoe, Shelley Ware, Craig Tiley, Josh Frydenberg and Rennae Stubbs

Every January, the Australian Open commands global attention, but when off court drama steals the show, Australia itself becomes part of the spectacle. AUSTRALIA’S OPEN charts the tournament’s rise as it inadvertently reveals Australia’s divisions to the world. Through telling archive, compelling play and heavy-hitting interviews, AUSTRALIA’S OPEN captures the poetry and power of the tournament… because at the Australian Open, there is always more than a game at stake.

The Carnival

Written and directed by Isabel Darling
Produced by Tom Zubrycki and Isabel Darling

The Bells are one of hundreds of show families in Australia, and they’ve been on the road for six generations. The Bell family haul their convoy of 30 trucks, carnival rides and their workers across Australia, where they face the elements, lockdowns and bushfires – all while battling to keep their family empire on the road.

The Bells and their workers have a mission: to keep their carnival alive and thriving, and to keep it in the family. This sixth-generation traveling show family have been touring Australia for a hundred years, and now, facing some of the toughest times they’ve ever seen are preparing to hand over the reins to the next generation, with the empire expected to be handed down to the next boy in line. Filmed over 7 years, this epic road-trip unveils not only the mystery of the traveling show-people, but also reveals a family grappling with traditional life in a modern world.