Zoe Terakes in Ellie and Abbie (& Ellie’s Dead Aunt).

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The first trailer has dropped for Ellie and Abbie (& Ellie’s Dead Aunt).

The world premiere of the new romantic comedy from writer and director Monica Zanetti will be the first Australian feature to open Mardi Gras Film Festival in its 27 year history.

Shot entirely in Sydney, Ellie and Abbie (& Ellie’s Dead Aunt), is adapted from a play by writer-director Monica Zanetti (Sisters, Skin Deep) and features an all-star ensemble cast including Marta Dusseldorp (Stateless, Janet King), Rachel House (Thor: Ragnarok, Hunt for the Wilderpeople) and Julia Billington (Starting from…Now, Mr Inbetween) with Sophie Hawkshaw (Love Child) and Zoe Terakes (Wentworth) as the star-crossed lovers Ellie and Abbie.

Ellie and Abbie (& Ellie’s Dead Aunt) is an endearing and heartfelt romantic comedy that appeals cross generationally to audiences of all ages. When school captain Ellie falls for her rebellious classmate Abbie, teenage awkwardness and angst get in the way of her plan to ask Abbie to the year 12 formal.

When Ellie’s aunt Tara, a lesbian activist who tragically died in the 1980s, turns up to ‘help’, Ellie starts to second guess the elaborate plan — and question the circumstances of Tara’s death.

You can find out more information about the film here.