Outback to Orbit explores humanity’s next giant leap

A new Australian documentary is set to take audiences on a journey from the remote landscapes of Australia to the edge of space, exploring one of humanity’s biggest challenges: can we overcome the limits of our bodies to become a spacefaring species? Outback to Orbit follows astronaut-in-training Celene Shimmen as she undertakes groundbreaking research into…

New Stan Original mermaid film Scales begins production in Queensland

Stan, in association with BYUtv, the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF), and Screen Australia today announced that the enchanting new family feature film Scales has officially swum into production on the Queensland coast. Set against the picturesque backdrop of coastal Queensland, Scales is an uplifting sun drenched modern mermaid fable exploring self-acceptance, friendship, and the courage it takes to…

Interview: Aarushi Chowdhury

Filmmaker Aarushi Chowdhury follows up her recent short film Clown with a new, darkly funny and sharply observed short, Phorid, a story that explores self-help culture, masculinity, and the desperate search for validation. Set within the world of motivational books, social media influence, and personal growth gurus, Phorid follows Blair (Jesse Vogelaar), a struggling self-help…

Young multilingual filmmakers launch powerful Refugee Week films

A short documentary and original music video created by a group of multilingual young people will launch this Refugee Week on ABC. Developed through a series of arts workshops run by not-for-profit organisation Same Drum in partnership with Healthway and the Intensive English Centre at Aranmore Catholic College, the films celebrate friendship, family and resilience…

First Peoples filmmakers explore Treaty in Sovereign Shorts

VicScreen, National Indigenous Television (NITV) and Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), today announced the four distinctive projects that have been selected for Sovereign Shorts. The four Victorian-made short documentaries exploring Treaty are set to premiere at MIFF 2026 on Wednesday 19 August. The joint initiative by VicScreen, NITV and MIFF was announced following the historic…

Peter Weir to receive AFTRS inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award

Legendary Australian film director Peter Weir has been announced as the inaugural recipient of the Australian Film Television and Radio School’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Peter will receive the Award – presented by Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) Council Chair, Rachel Perkins – at the Sydney Film Festival on Wednesday June 10. On that…