Mara Jean Quinn as Alex in Andamooka.

Exploring the raw heart of Andamooka: A Journey with Mara Jean Quinn

Mara Jean Quinn’s Andamooka is set to release via VoD from December 3.

Written, directed and produced by Quinn, Andamooka has enjoyed an enviable festival run both at home and abroad, including SXSW Sydney, CinefestOZ, Brisbane and Darwin, as well as the London Australian Film Festival and the Asia Film Festival Barcelona.

This unique road movie is set across 7000 km and follows Alex Maloney (Mara Jean Quinn) as she heads out on her own to explore the heart of Australia, spurred by a failed engagement and the existential threat of her looming 30th birthday.

Alex sets off to spend the milestone with her best friend Vera (Georgina Neave), who lives in the tiny opal mining town of Andamooka. Along the way, we witness Alex confronting her inner struggles with grief and experiencing growth influenced by solitude, the people she meets, and spending time on Country.

Featuring cultural experiences presented authentically, the journey reflects that of many Australians who have not yet experienced the outback and its deep cultural history.

“Creating this film has been a journey in itself, from writing a deeply personal story to filming on the road for two months and sharing that intense trip with two others, then trying to finish post-production with next to no budget,” says Quinn.

“Even after 10 festivals, I am still surprised at how well the film has been received and how much audiences connect with it.”

Mara Jean Quinn as Alex and Jenny Lightning as herself in Andamooka.

In true Australian independent filmmaking fashion, Andamooka was shot by just three people: Danni Ogilvie (DOP), Anthea Hilton (sound), and Quinn herself in the starring role.

The guerrilla-style shooting has created an intimate, vulnerable and realistic story that many people relate to.

“The fact this micro-budget film is finished, let alone at the cinematic standard it is, is a miracle,” says Quinn.

“Andamooka is a testament to the power of a group of passionate filmmakers dedicated to telling stories and pouring their hearts into a project.”

Acclaimed actor Aaron Pedersen joined the team as a producer during the editing process.

“Working on this film has been a pleasure,” says Pedersen.

“I enjoyed getting behind a group of emerging filmmakers sharing an authentic woman’s story, all whilst being told on beautiful desert Country.”

The supporting cast includes Japanese hitchhiker Kazuma Takano,  whom the crew actually picked up on the way; an old party bloke, Nugget, played by Dennis Gilbert who is a non-actor who resides in Andamooka; and spunky Alice Springs girl Jenny Lightning (played by herself).

Andamooka will be distributed by Bonsai and Roadshow Films via iTunes, Google Play and Amazon Prime from December 3, 2025.

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