Eliza Cox at the 2024 Melbourne International Film Festival.

Welcome to the latest episode of the Cinema Australia Podcast.

In this episode I’m joined by Eliza Cox, a filmmaker who has dedicated years of her life to making the exceptional new documentary, Queens of Concrete.

Shot over eight years, Queens of Concrete chronicles the journey from childhood to adulthood and the moments that define us. It’s 2016 and Hayley (14), Ava (13) and Charlotte (9) are following their dreams to qualify for the first ever Australian Olympic skateboarding team for the 2020 games. 

The three girls are strong contenders, but they face crushing life lessons as they navigate heartbreak, betrayal, a global pandemic, and pressure beyond their years.

In this interview, Eliza gives us a generous insight in the making of Queens of Concrete discussing the early beginnings of the film, when she first met Hayley, Ava and Charlotte, and the challenges she faced dedicating so many years of her life to this one single documentary. 

As a viewer, I can assure you it was worth it. Queens of Concrete is already one of my favourite films of the year. 

Queens of Concrete recently celebrated its premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival, and will now head to the south west of Western Australia for CinefestOZ where it will screen at the festival from Sunday the 1st September. Details here. 

Queens of Concrete will then release via Madman. Keep an eye on cinemaaustralia.com.au for updates on that. 

Anyway… enjoy. 

If you enjoyed listening to this podcast episode as much as I loved publishing it, please consider supporting Cinema Australia’s commitment to the Australian screen industry via a donation below.

I strive to shine a light on Australian movies, giving voice to emerging talent and established artists.

This important work is made possible through the support of Cinema Australia readers. Without corporate interests or paywalls, Cinema Australia is committed to remaining free to read, watch and listen to, always.

If you can, please consider making a contribution. It takes less than a minute, and your support will make a significant impact in sustaining Cinema Australia as the much-loved publication that it is.

Thank you.

Matthew Eeles
Founder and Editor.

Make a donation here.