The coming-of-age Australian feature film The Pretend One will embark on a screening and Q&A tour throughout March, April and May covering the major capital cities, as well as some special regional centres along the way.

Starring Geraldine Hakewill (Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries) and Michael Whalley (Slow West), the film tells the story of Charlie and Hugo, two lifelong best friends who live in a rural town in Central Queensland. There’s just one thing – Hugo is Charlie’s imaginary friend.

Though their relationship has always been platonic, when Charlie begins to fall for Guy (Benedict Wall), a producer from the city scouting for a TV documentary series – Hugo realises he’s in love with Charlie. Unable to face losing her, Hugo must fight to become real to win her back.

Written by Tony Prescott and James Raue, and directed by Tony Prescott, The Pretend One was shot on location in Condamine, Queensland, six hours west of Brisbane, with a young but dedicated cast and crew. “It was an ambitious endeavour to say the least, just 3 ½ weeks on a cotton farm in rural Queensland. One major hurdle would have derailed production, but our talented cast and crew gave it everything they had. I can’t wait to share the film with people around the country,” said director Tony Prescott.

The Pretend One also stars iconic Australian actor David Field, in a compelling performance as Charlie’s grieving father. The film has touched audiences around the world since it premiered at the Gold Coast Film Festival last year. Other festival screenings have included Newport Beach Film Festival and Prescott Film Festival in the US, Down Under Berlin in Germany as well as WA’s Cinefest Oz last year.

Australian cinema-goers will now have the chance to see the film on the big screen and hear from cast and crew at Q&As following each screening.

PODCAST: Listen to our interview with the cast and crew of The Pretend One
REVIEW: Our thoughts on The Pretend One

Screening dates & locations:

SYDNEY: Mon March 18 at 7pm – Event Cinemas George St and Weds March 20 at 7pm – Event Cinemas Bondi Junction
CANBERRA: Monday March 25 at 7pm – Event Cinemas Manuka
PERTH: Monday March 25 at 6.30pm – Backlot Perth
MELBOURNE: Tuesday March 26 at 6.45pm – Cinema Nova
ROSEBUD, VIC: Friday March 15 – Peninsula Cinemas
DALBY, QLD: Tuesday March 19 at 7pm – Dalby Cinema (fundraiser for RACQ LifeFlight)
CHINCHILLA, QLD: Tuesday March 26 at 7pm – Chinchilla Cinema (fundraiser for RACQ LifeFlight)
AVOCA BEACH, NSW: Sunday April 7 – Avoca Beach Picture Theatre
BRISBANE: Weds May 15 at 7pm – New Farm Cinemas (fundraiser for MND and Me Foundation)