Join us for this special screening followed by Q&A with our guest, Director Dianne Whelan. 500 Days In The Wild follows the epic 6-year journey of filmmaker Dianne Whelan as she sets out to reconnect with nature and become the first person to travel the world’s longest trail. The 24,000 km Trans Canada Trail stretches across the continent of North America, connecting the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific oceans. It is the longest trail in the world. For six years filmmaker Dianne Whelan traveled the entirety of the land and water trails, the only person to ever accomplish this journey. 500 Days in the Wild recounts Dianne’s journey by bike, canoe, skis, snowshoes and on foot and her cross-cultural visits with those who live close to the land. This feature doc culled from 800 hours of footage is an intricate weave of adventure film, personal reflection and stunning captures of wildlife and landscapes. Using humour, adventure, beautiful cinematography and a great soundtrack (including songs from Joni Mitchell, First Aid Kit, Xavier Rudd, and The Tragically Hip), 500 Days in the Wild will entertain audiences and inspire hope for the future. She started out alone, disillusioned with state of the world, to look for different ways of caring for the land and for each other. She ended the journey a bit wiser, more hopeful, in love and with a passion to share this story.

Brian Helgeland’s medieval adventure remains a fresh and exuberant example of mainstream cinema with real personality. Set in the world of 14th-century tournament jousting, it follows a peasant squire who seizes an unexpected chance to reinvent himself as a noble contender, chasing glory, love and a place in a society determined to keep him in his station. What makes the film so appealing is the confidence of its tone: it embraces period spectacle while infusing the action with humour, romance and a knowingly modern pulse. Heath Ledger gives the story its magnetism, bringing warmth, swagger and sincerity to an underdog hero easy to champion. Around him, Paul Bettany, Rufus Sewell, Shannyn Sossamon, Mark Addy and Alan Tudyk create a lively ensemble that adds wit, rivalry and heart. The result is a film that feels both classically entertaining and distinctly original in its approach. For audiences who enjoy action with charm, romance with momentum and a playful twist on historical adventure, this offers an immensely satisfying screen experience full of energy, mischief and winning spirit.

This atmospheric Australian drama follows a young couple who leave the bustle of city life behind in search of a quieter existence in the countryside. Hoping that distance from urban pressures will strengthen their relationship, they settle into an isolated rural property surrounded by vast landscapes and long stretches of silence. As the novelty of their new life begins to fade, loneliness and uncertainty slowly take hold. In an attempt to bring humour into their situation, the pair invent imaginary local neighbours and begin exchanging stories about these fictional friends. What begins as a harmless joke gradually grows more elaborate, drawing them deeper into a world shaped by their own imagination. The film explores the emotional terrain of relationships under pressure, where isolation amplifies both affection and frustration. Subtle performances from Tilda Cobham-Hervey and Nicholas Denton anchor the story, capturing the shifting dynamics between intimacy and distance. Directed by James Litchfield in his feature debut, the film uses the wide landscapes of rural Australia to reflect the characters’ inner lives. Blending elements of romance, mystery and psychological drama, the film offers a thoughtful exploration of connection, loneliness and the stories people create to reshape their reality.

Presented by World Expeditions, the 2026 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour delivers a thrilling 3-hour adventure through the world of extreme mountain sports. Experience the most captivating short films from fearless explorers, trail runners, mountain bikers, skiers, paddlers and climbers who push boundaries across the globe. Following the legendary Banff Mountain Festival—the world's largest and most prestigious mountain celebration held annually in Canada's stunning Banff—this tour brings the very best to audiences worldwide. From over 300 exceptional films showcasing mountain sport, culture, environment, adventure and exploration, only the most outstanding award winners and crowd favourites are selected for the global journey spanning 390 communities across 35 countries. The Australian programme presents an extraordinary collection of short films captured in Earth's wildest and most remote locations. Prepare for breathtaking cinematography that transports you to impossible places, compelling stories that challenge perspectives, and heart-pounding action sequences that will leave you breathless. This is adventure filmmaking at its absolute finest. The original and the best mountain film festival is an Adventure Reels event. For more details visit www.banffaustralia.com.au

Set in Tangier, this intimate drama follows María Ángeles, a 79-year-old Spanish woman whose life is upended when her daughter Clara arrives from Madrid with plans to sell the apartment that has anchored the family for decades. What follows is not simply a dispute over property, but a deeply felt struggle over memory, identity and the right to remain connected to a place that holds an entire life. Maryam Touzani directs with warmth and precision, shaping a story that balances family conflict with humour, resilience and sensual rediscovery. As María Ángeles resists being displaced from the neighbourhood she knows by heart, the film becomes a portrait of community as much as character: shopkeepers, neighbours and old friends all form part of the world she refuses to lose. Carmen Maura gives the role grace, wit and steel, creating a heroine whose determination never loses its humanity. Supported by Marta Etura, Ahmed Boulane and María Alfonsa Rosso, the film unfolds with tenderness and emotional clarity, finding beauty in ordinary routines, hard choices and the possibility of renewed feeling later in life. The result is a compassionate, richly textured drama about home, selfhood and starting again without surrendering the past.

Directed by Dominik Moll, this French crime drama turns a seemingly routine investigation into a tense and revealing study of justice, responsibility and the workings of institutional power. The story follows Stéphanie, an investigator for France’s police oversight agency, as she examines a case involving a young protester seriously injured during the Yellow Vest movement. As the inquiry deepens, what first appears to be another official file begins to take on a more personal and morally charged dimension. What gives the film its force is the combination of procedural clarity and political unease. Moll approaches the material with the control of a seasoned thriller director, but the film’s impact comes equally from its attention to systems, doubt and the cost of pursuing truth inside an institution built to protect itself. Léa Drucker anchors the drama with intelligence and restraint, helping the story maintain both emotional weight and investigative momentum. Premiering in Official Competition at Cannes in 2025, it arrives with major festival stature and strong appeal for audiences interested in French cinema, sophisticated crime storytelling and contemporary dramas with real social bite.

Directed by Cédric Klapisch, this sweeping French drama brings together family mystery, historical texture and artistic curiosity in a story that moves between contemporary Normandy and the final years of the 19th century. When four estranged cousins inherit a long-abandoned house, their investigation into its past gradually reveals the life of a young ancestor and opens a wider reflection on memory, kinship and the way personal histories continue to shape the present. What gives the film its distinctive appeal is the way it combines intimate emotion with a broader cultural backdrop. By linking the story to the emergence of photography and the Impressionist moment in Paris, it creates a visually rich setting that feels both historically detailed and emotionally immediate. Klapisch’s humanistic style helps the material remain warm and accessible, while the ensemble cast, including Suzanne Lindon, Abraham Wapler, Vincent Macaigne, Julia Piaton, Paul Kircher and Cécile de France, adds depth and strong cross-generational appeal. Presented Out of Competition at Cannes in 2025, it arrives with clear prestige and strong appeal for patrons interested in French cinema, family storytelling and elegant period-inflected drama.

Bart Layton brings his distinctive command of tension and character to a sleek, sharply assembled crime thriller adapted from Don Winslow’s acclaimed novella. Set within a world of jewel theft, surveillance and tightening pressure, the story follows a highly disciplined thief whose carefully controlled operations begin to draw dangerous attention. As a relentless detective closes in and a volatile younger criminal complicates the landscape, the film builds into a gripping study of risk, ambition and unraveling control. Led by Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo and Halle Berry, and supported by Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Nick Nolte, the cast gives the film considerable presence and dramatic texture. The appeal lies not only in its suspense but in its refined atmosphere, strong performances and polished sense of scale. It has the sheen of a major studio thriller while retaining the focused intensity of a filmmaker with a clear point of view. For audiences drawn to contemporary noir, intelligent heist storytelling and star-led adult drama, this is a confident, stylish and satisfying screen experience with tension, glamour and real dramatic momentum.

This concert film celebrates the remarkable stage presence and musical legacy of Elvis Presley, presenting a vibrant showcase of live performances from the later era of his career. Filmed during a period when Elvis was performing spectacular shows for audiences around the world, the film captures the scale, drama and excitement that defined his legendary concerts. Backed by a full band, orchestra and gospel singers, Elvis delivers powerful renditions of many of his most recognisable songs, combining rock and roll energy with soulful ballads and show-stopping stage moments. The performances highlight his distinctive voice, commanding presence and ability to connect with audiences on an extraordinary level. The film provides a vivid reminder of Elvis’ enduring cultural influence and the remarkable impact he had on popular music. His blend of rhythm and blues, country and rock reshaped the sound of modern music and inspired generations of performers across the world. Presented as a large-scale concert experience, the film brings together iconic songs, dramatic staging and the atmosphere of a packed auditorium, capturing the excitement of seeing one of the greatest entertainers in music history performing live at the height of his fame.

This moving Australian documentary examines the aftermath of the 2022 Lismore floods through the lives of people forced to reckon with grief, instability and the question of what home means when the land itself feels uncertain. Rather than treating disaster as spectacle, it stays close to the emotional reality of those living through recovery, tracing how environmental crisis reshapes family life, community ties and the possibility of a future in place. Directed by Jordan Giusti, the film combines intimate access with a clear sense of the broader forces surrounding the story, from climate trauma to the long shadow of policy failure and uneven rebuilding. Its strength lies in the way it balances personal testimony with a wider view of a town under pressure, creating a documentary that feels immediate, compassionate and socially meaningful. Premiering at Sydney Film Festival in 2025 and winning the Sustainable Future Award, it arrives with strong festival credentials and real contemporary relevance. For audiences interested in Australian documentary, climate realities and stories of community endurance, it offers a deeply affecting and important cinema experience.

Come and support Royal Flying Doctor Service SA/NT with their Deckchair Cinema Fundraiser screening of Ghostbusters. Caterer: to be confirmed The original and the best! An infectiously fun blend of special effects and comedy, with Bill Murray's hilarious deadpan performance leading a cast of great comic turns.

A DECADE OF INSPIATION. A DECADE OF COMMUNITY. A DECADE OF BEING GUTSY. Celebrate 10 years of Australia's premier adventure film tour spotlighting women who absolutely send it! Since day one, Gutsy Girls has been championing fearless female adventurers who push boundaries, shatter expectations, and prove that gutsy is a way of life—not just a moment. This milestone year brings you 2½ hours of heart-pounding action and soul-stirring stories from remarkable women around the globe. Experience a diverse collection of films—varying in length and style—that showcase climbers, paddlers, runners, riders, and explorers redefining what's possible in the adventure world. These aren't just films. They're powerful testaments to human potential. Watch determination transform into achievement, fear give way to courage, and ordinary women accomplish extraordinary feats that'll have you plotting your next challenge before the credits roll. Whether you're an experienced adventurer or someone who dreams big from your place of comfort, these stories will ignite your spirit and remind you why we've been doing this for a decade. The Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour offers inspiration in spades. Join us for our 10th anniversary celebration. Tickets selling fast—collect your crew, grab yours now and let's make this the gutsiest year yet! Find out more at https://gutsygirlsadventurefilmtour.com.au/ ONE SCREENING ONLY The Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour is exempt from classification, but the films are suitable for all ages (none of the films include swearing or drug references). Seating is not allocated. Arrive early for the best seats

Directed by Chloé Zhao, this moving adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s celebrated novel brings to life the tender, complex marriage between Agnes and her husband — a man whose future renown casts a long shadow across their family. Jessie Buckley embodies Agnes with fierce intuition and vulnerability, while Paul Mescal portrays a young writer struggling to balance artistic ambition with the obligations of home. Set in late sixteenth-century England, the story unfolds through moments of domestic joy, longing and quiet strain, culminating in the devastating loss of their son, Hamnet. The grief that follows ripples through their lives, shaping not only their relationship but also the creative world that will one day define a cultural legacy. With her signature blend of naturalistic storytelling and emotional clarity, Zhao creates a world that feels tactile and intimate. The film reflects on how love endures through distance, how tragedy reshapes identity and how art emerges from the deepest personal fault lines. Buckley and Mescal deliver performances of remarkable depth, anchoring a period drama that speaks with striking contemporary resonance.

Mary Bronstein’s latest feature is an intense, darkly comic work of American independent cinema that places viewers inside the escalating pressure of a life coming apart. Centred on a therapist and mother struggling to manage her daughter’s illness, an absent husband, professional obligations and a growing sense of instability, the film unfolds as a jagged, immersive portrait of overload. Rather than offering easy release, it leans into discomfort, tension and absurdity, creating an experience that feels both intimate and sharply disorienting. Rose Byrne anchors the film with extraordinary commitment, delivering a performance that earned major festival recognition and helped establish the work as one of the year’s most talked-about independent releases. Bronstein’s direction is precise yet volatile, balancing psychological strain, bleak humour and emotional exposure with unusual confidence. The supporting cast, including Conan O'Brien and Danielle Macdonald, adds texture to a story defined by frayed connections and mounting pressure. For audiences drawn to fearless character studies, contemporary anxiety narratives and art-house cinema that is both abrasive and deeply human, this is a powerful, unforgettable screen experience.

This imaginative Australian animated feature follows a teenager named Kim who is unexpectedly pulled from everyday life into a surreal universe filled with strange landscapes, unusual creatures and powerful stories. Guided by an unlikely companion—an alien dog named Jeff—Kim travels across a series of dreamlike islands where each encounter brings new challenges, lessons and discoveries. As the journey unfolds, Kim meets elders, storytellers and characters inspired by culture, mythology and imagination. These encounters reveal deeper ideas about knowledge, responsibility and the ways people connect with the world around them. The adventure gradually becomes a personal exploration of identity and belonging. Created through a unique collaborative process involving more than 150 young contributors, the film blends Indigenous knowledge with contemporary animation techniques. Its vibrant visuals shift between polished imagery and intentionally playful styles, reflecting the film’s creative spirit and wide range of influences. Directed by Tyson Yunkaporta and Jack Manning Bancroft, the film offers a distinctive animated experience that mixes fantasy, humour and philosophical ideas. Through its colourful worlds and imaginative storytelling, the film invites audiences to reflect on the importance of culture, community and the stories that shape the future.

Join us for a special Q&A screening presented director Kasimir Burgess on Thursday May 21st! In Mongolia’s coldest valley, horses mean life. But in the Iron Winter, nothing can survive alone. For countless generations, the herders of the Tsakhir Valley have protected their horses from ferocious arctic storms by amassing a giant winter herd, nominating their bravest young men to protect it. The daring tradition served as a brutal coming of age ritual, until five years ago, when under increasing environmental pressure, it abruptly ended. Fearful about the loss of culture, elders soon vowed to revive it. And two young friends were handed the daunting responsibility to not only protect the valley’s herd — but to save its most sacred practice. For four months, the boys battle Mongolia’s deadliest winter on record, testing friendship and faith in a fight to keep 2000 horses alive, and preserve an ancient way of life

Set on a picturesque holiday island, this atmospheric drama follows Tom, a quiet and solitary tennis coach who has settled into a life defined by routine. His days are spent giving lessons to tourists at a luxury resort, drifting between the tennis courts, the beach and the nightlife that surrounds the island’s seasonal visitors. When a new group of guests arrives, Tom forms an unexpected connection with a couple staying at the resort. Their presence briefly disrupts the monotony of his daily life, but the situation takes a darker turn when one of them suddenly disappears. What begins as a curious incident slowly grows into something more unsettling as suspicion, desire and uncertainty ripple through the small island community. Sam Riley delivers a restrained and enigmatic performance at the centre of the film, supported by Stacy Martin and Jack Farthing. Director Jan-Ole Gerster uses the bright Mediterranean setting to create a striking contrast between the beauty of the landscape and the quiet tension beneath the story. Blending psychological drama with elements of mystery, the film explores loneliness, identity and the fragile illusions that shape the lives people create for themselves far from home.

Jafar Panahi returns with a fiercely intelligent drama that combines the tension of a thriller with the layered ethical questions of a deeply human character study. The story begins with a seemingly ordinary encounter, then steadily expands into an intense and unpredictable confrontation as a group of former political prisoners try to determine whether they have found the man responsible for their suffering. What follows is a compelling examination of memory, justice, vengeance and the uncertainty that shadows every moral choice. Crafted with precision and remarkable restraint, the film draws its power from performance, atmosphere and the emotional weight carried by its characters. Its dark humour and measured suspense give the narrative a distinctive rhythm, allowing moments of irony and dread to coexist in a way that feels both unsettling and richly rewarding. The result is a work of cinema that is politically urgent without sacrificing complexity or dramatic depth. Awarded the Palme d’Or at Cannes, this major achievement confirms Panahi’s place among the essential voices in world cinema. For audiences drawn to bold, thoughtful and artistically rigorous filmmaking, it offers an unforgettable screen experience marked by courage, clarity and lasting emotional force.

In a journey that spans continents and hearts, Jimpa follows filmmaker Hannah (Olivia Colman) and her nonbinary teen Frances (Aud Mason-Hyde) as they travel from Adelaide to Amsterdam to visit Hannah’s estranged father — now known to Frances simply as “Jimpa” (John Lithgow). What begins as a visit becomes a profound reckoning as Hanna confronts the legacy of abandonment, Frances seeks roots and identity, and Jimpa, with his own history and longing, tries to bridge the gaps time created. Under the sensitive direction of Sophie Hyde, the film weaves a multi-generational, cross-cultural tapestry that explores identity, sexuality, memory and family love in its many forms. The nuanced performances — Colman’s emotional depth, Lithgow’s bold vulnerability, and Mason-Hyde’s quiet strength — anchor a story that refuses binary labels and celebrates the messy, beautiful complexity of modern families. With emotional honesty, gentle humour and striking moments of connection, Jimpa invites viewers to question what defines family, who gets to belong, and how love adapts — across generations, geographies, and identity.

Making waves in 2025 as the first-ever debut feature selected to open the Cannes Film Festival, Amélie Bonnin’s joyously entertaining musical romance stars break-out singer/songwriter Juliette Armanet as a talented Parisian chef forced to reconnect with her small-town upbringing during an unexpected trip home. Cécile (Armanet) – a fan-favourite Top Chef winner – is about to finally realise her dream and open her own restaurant when her father, the cook at a small rural truck stop, falls unwell. Cécile must deal with a return to her roots that is more complicated than she imagined; when she runs into her teenage first love (César Award-winner Bastien Bouillon), old memories and sensations resurface... and then her fiancé, who senses something’s wrong, shows up. Evocatively depicting regional France and the complications of family life with tenderness and wit, LEAVE ONE DAY interweaves music naturally into the story, blending several classics with more recent hits by artists such as Stromae and Céline Dion. Armanet, herself one of France’s most popular contemporary artists, performed John Lennon’s “Imagine” during the Paris Olympic Games’ opening ceremony and proves to be a shining discovery.

Four talented Tiwi Island Indigenous girls dream of AFLW stardom, and with the support of their community, face the social and physical obstacles standing in their way. This is an inspirational story of human endurance, ancient resilience and the power of sport to act as a force for change. Filmed over 6 years, the documentary explores the different worlds that the girls must traverse from the remote Tiwi Islands to mainland Australia as they are selected by the Essendon Football Club for their talent and unique style of play. Navigating the competitive world of professional football while dealing with the weight of cultural expectations, distance and financial barriers, the girls encounter triumphs and disappointments before defining success on their own terms to become an inspiration for the next generation of their community.

This affectionate and richly entertaining documentary turns its attention to one of Australia’s most distinctive and enduring bands, tracing a path from art-school beginnings in the 1970s to national pop success and an unexpected international footprint. Directed by Matthew Walker, it explores how a group of irreverent, visually minded musicians developed a sound and sensibility that felt unmistakably local while still travelling far beyond Australian shores. Along the way, the film captures the humour, inventiveness and creative restlessness that made the band such a singular presence in local music culture. What gives the film its appeal is the balance between celebration and reflection. Archival footage, interviews and music-history context build a portrait that recognises both the joyful energy of the songs and the more complicated realities that came with fame, longevity and change. The result is lively, moving and grounded in genuine affection for the personalities at its centre. Released in Australian cinemas on 5 March 2026 and tied to the band’s 50th anniversary moment, it arrives with strong resonance for local audiences. For patrons interested in Australian music, documentary storytelling and screen portraits of artists who shaped the culture around them, it offers a warm, crowd-pleasing cinema experience full of character, memory and unmistakably local spirit.

Directed by Polly Findlay and adapted from Bernard MacLaverty’s novel, this intimate drama focuses on a long-married couple whose winter trip to Amsterdam begins to expose the silences, habits and unspoken pain that have settled into their relationship over time. What starts as a holiday becomes something more searching: a gentle but revealing confrontation with memory, disappointment, faith and the question of whether emotional closeness can be recovered after years of quiet distance. Lesley Manville and Ciarán Hinds give the film its depth and grace, bringing lived-in complexity to characters shaped by affection, frustration and shared history. Their performances are the centre of the film’s appeal, supported by a restrained style that trusts atmosphere, gesture and conversation over melodrama. Amsterdam’s winter setting adds a reflective, melancholy beauty that complements the story’s emotional texture. For audiences drawn to mature storytelling, literary adaptation and finely tuned screen acting, it offers a thoughtful and affecting cinema experience. Its quiet confidence, emotional honesty and later-life perspective make it especially resonant for patrons seeking character-driven drama with substance and warmth.

Four days of Indian Film commences with the first Indian film to win a BAFTA - Boong. The festival continues on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with screenings at the Museum and Gallery of the Northern Territory. Boong - In the valley of Manipur, Boong (*a little boy) plans to surprise his mother with a gift. In his innocence, he believes that bringing his absentee father back home would be the most special gift. At the core, Boong’s world is a triangle. At the base is Mandakini, his fiery, protective mother. The short perpendicular line is his Marwari best friend Raju Agarwal, who is considered an ‘outsider’. The hypotenuse is his father, Joykumar, who unwittingly shapes his son’s world from faraway Moreh - a border town between India and Myanmar. Boong’s search for his father disintegrates his world but culminates into an unexpected gift….

Matt Johnson brings his unmistakable comic voice to an exuberant feature that expands a beloved cult property into a bigger, bolder and gloriously unpredictable cinematic adventure. Built around the razor-sharp dynamic between Johnson and Jay McCarrol, the story follows two eternally determined musicians whose latest scheme takes an outrageous turn into time-travel chaos, awkward nostalgia and escalating disaster. What makes the film so winning is its balance of scrappy ingenuity and precise comic control. Its mockumentary texture gives the humour a loose, spontaneous rhythm, while the underlying story of friendship, ambition and creative obsession adds warmth and surprising emotional weight. The Toronto setting gives the film a strong identity, grounding its absurd turns in a vivid, lived-in world that feels specific and memorable. Premiering at SXSW and later earning the Midnight Madness Audience Award at TIFF, this acclaimed comedy arrives with genuine festival buzz and crowd-pleasing credentials. For audiences drawn to inventive independent cinema, left-field comedy and stories driven by personality rather than polish, it offers a distinctly original screen experience. Fast, funny and full of handmade charm, it stands out as a celebration of collaboration, persistence and gloriously misguided artistic confidence.

Park Chan-wook’s latest feature is a brilliantly engineered black comedy thriller that turns a familiar modern fear into something witty, unnerving and cinematically exhilarating. Following a long-serving employee pushed out of his career, the story traces how humiliation, financial pressure and wounded pride steadily curdle into ruthless determination. What emerges is a sharply observed portrait of status, masculinity and survival within a deeply competitive world. Lee Byung-hun leads the film with commanding control, supported by a distinguished cast including Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran and Cha Seung-won. Together they give emotional weight and texture to a work that balances precise suspense with barbed humour and social insight. Park’s visual sophistication is evident throughout, delivering a film that feels both elegant and slyly venomous. Premiering in competition at Venice before earning major audience recognition at TIFF, this standout release arrives with strong festival prestige and broad cinephile appeal. For patrons interested in Korean cinema, intelligent thrillers and films that merge craft with commentary, it offers a rich and memorable screen experience shaped by style, tension and razor-edged wit.

Designed to mesmerise and enthral, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour showcases a 3 hour celebration of our oceans composed of sublime footage taken above and below the water’s surface. This unique collection of short films from around the globe document the beauty and power of the ocean, and celebrate the divers, surfers, swimmers and oceanographers who live for the sea’s salt spray; who chase the crests of waves; and who marvel at the mysteries of the big blue. The films feature captivating cinematography, complete with awe-inspiring underwater scenes and fast-paced wave sequences that have been captured from unbelievable vantage points. Inspiring and thought-provoking, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour is filled with moving footage, touching interviews and insightful narrations. Each of the festival’s films conveys a deep respect and appreciation for the world’s oceans and the creatures that call them home. 2 of the films contain subtitles. Find out more at www.oceanfilmfestival.com.au

Come and support Darwin Visual Arts Association Inc with their Deckchair Cinema Fundraiser screening of One Battle After Another. Caterer: Yogi's Way When their evil enemy resurfaces after 16 years, a group of ex-revolutionaries reunites to rescue one of their own's daughter.

Directed by Mathias Mlekuz, this French comedy-drama transforms a journey of remembrance into an affecting and unexpectedly life-affirming road movie. After the death of his son, a father sets out to retrace the bicycle route the young man once travelled from the Atlantic to the Black Sea. Joined by an old friend, the trip becomes more than an act of tribute. It opens into a gently unfolding story of grief, companionship and the small moments of humour and connection that make healing possible. What gives the film its distinctive appeal is its natural, documentary-like style. Rather than leaning into heavy sentiment, it favours sincerity, spontaneity and emotional openness, allowing the friendship at its centre to carry the story with warmth and authenticity. The performances by Mathias Mlekuz and Philippe Rebbot give it a lived-in quality that feels intimate and disarming, while its festival success confirms its broad audience connection. At Angoulême in 2024, it won awards for direction, audience appeal and music, and it has since been selected for the 2026 Alliance Française French Film Festival in Australia. For patrons interested in French cinema, road movies and humane stories of recovery, it offers a tender, emotionally rich and quietly uplifting screen experience.

Screening in partnership with City of Darwin's LAUNCH - free for 12 to 25s. Directed by Richard Linklater and written by Mike White, this hugely entertaining comedy blends rock music, classroom chaos and underdog momentum into one of the most beloved feel-good films of the 2000s. The story follows an unemployed guitarist who stumbles into a substitute teaching job and gradually realises that his students possess remarkable musical talent. What begins as deception becomes something unexpectedly joyful, as the classroom transforms into a place of confidence, collaboration and creative release. Jack Black gives the film its driving force, bringing boundless comic energy, musical conviction and surprising warmth to the central role. Joan Cusack and Mike White provide terrific support, while the ensemble of young performers helps give the film its freshness and genuine charm. Its appeal lies in the balance between anarchic humour and emotional sincerity, allowing the story to celebrate individuality, teamwork and the thrill of performance without losing its playful edge. A commercial hit that later inspired a stage musical and television adaptation, it has endured as a favourite across generations. For audiences seeking a lively, uplifting and music-filled cinema experience, it remains an easy winner on the big screen.

Set in 1940s Australia and unfolding through the post-war decades, this feature documentary foregrounds Italian migrant women whose work and wit shaped everyday life. When men were sent to internment camps, wives and daughters kept farms, factories and small businesses afloat, raising children while rebuilding community networks. Interviews with prominent Italian-Australian voices—from singer Tina Arena to fashion leader Carla Zampatti’s daughter Allegra Spender, activist Franca Arena and restaurateur Olimpia Bortolotto—connect personal memory with national history. Narration by Greta Scacchi adds warmth and clarity, while archival photographs and period footage are blended with contemporary reflections and subtle photo animation. The result is a textured portrait of belonging, ambition and intergenerational change: how recipes, language, style and courage travelled across oceans, then took root in suburbia, workplaces and public life. Running 86 minutes and rated PG, the film balances humour with hard truths about prejudice, separation and starting again, honouring quiet acts of leadership that helped broaden Australia’s cultural landscape. Co-directed by Shannon Swan, Angelo Pricolo and Jason McFadyen, the film draws on decades of family photographs, home movies and newsreels, shaping them into an engaging mosaic. It screened at Melbourne International Film Festival and within the national Italian Film Festival programme.

Directed by Chuck Kinnane and Dan Kinnane, this warm-hearted romantic comedy places heartbreak in one of the world’s most beautiful cities and lets humour, chance encounters and shifting perspective do the rest. When a groom’s wedding plans unravel in Rome, his honeymoon becomes something entirely different: a gentle, funny and unexpectedly restorative journey through disappointment, companionship and emotional reset. Kevin James anchors the film with an approachable, familiar comic presence, while Nicole Grimaudo, Alyson Hannigan, Jonathan Roumie and Kim Coates help create an ensemble atmosphere full of personality and warmth. The Roman setting brings colour, movement and holiday appeal, giving the story an inviting visual texture that supports both the romantic and comic beats. What stands out most is the film’s easy balance of humour and tenderness. Rather than leaning into cynicism, it favours optimism, personal recalibration and the small surprises that can reshape a difficult moment. For audiences who enjoy travel-flavoured romance, mature comedy and stories built around fresh starts, it offers an easy-going and uplifting big-screen experience with scenic charm and broad appeal.

After the global success of 2016’s 'Perfect Strangers', writer/director Paolo Genovese has struck gold again with his record-breaking hit SOMEBODY TO LOVE, an hilarious, all-star romantic comedy that reveals the innermost thoughts and uncertainties of an Italian couple on their awkward first date.

Come and support NTAHC with their Deckchair Cinema Fundraiser screening of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Two drag queens and a transsexual leave Sydney in a bus called 'Priscilla', and travel across half of Australia to climb a rock and put on a show at a resort in the middle of the country. Along the way, they break down, paint the bus lavender, dress up a lot, perform where they shouldn't and encounter hilarity, hostility and incomprehension. THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT is a road movie musical about a collision between three people in the wrong costumes and an environment that does not want them.

Come and support Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival with their Deckchair Cinema Fundraiser screening of The Blues Brothers. Caterer: to be confirmed Jake Blues, just out from prison, puts together his old band to save the Catholic home where he and brother Elwood were raised.

Directed by Rebel Wilson, this exuberant Australian musical comedy transforms small-town tradition into a lively story of self-expression, friendship and youthful reinvention. Set in a drought-stricken rural community, it follows a shy teenager hoping the local debutante ball will offer a chance to reshape how she is seen, only for the arrival of her outspoken city cousin to unsettle every expectation. The result is a playful collision of country custom, teenage anxiety and defiant personality. Adapted from the stage musical by Hannah Reilly, with music by Meg Washington, the film carries a buoyant theatrical energy while remaining grounded in specifically Australian settings and humour. Natalie Abbott and Charlotte MacInnes lead the story with freshness and spark, supported by a strong ensemble that includes Tara Morice, Steph Tisdell, Shane Jacobson and Rebel Wilson. Its closing-night premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival adds notable prestige to a film designed to entertain with warmth and confidence. For audiences drawn to local stories, ensemble comedy and musicals with heart, it offers a colourful and upbeat screen experience shaped by mischief, sincerity and a generous sense of fun.

Set in the years surrounding the First World War, this evocative period drama traces the relationship between two young musicians brought together by a shared passion for traditional folk music. Lionel, a gifted singer raised on the songs of rural Kentucky, travels to Boston to study at the conservatory, where he meets the charismatic composer David. Their friendship begins through music, but soon grows into something deeper. Years later, the pair reunite for an ambitious journey through the remote landscapes of Maine, travelling from town to town recording the voices and stories of everyday people. As they gather songs that might otherwise disappear with time, their collaboration becomes a deeply personal exploration of memory, identity and artistic devotion. Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor lead the film with nuanced performances that anchor the story’s emotional core. Director Oliver Hermanus crafts an intimate and atmospheric portrait of early twentieth-century America, where music becomes both a record of cultural history and a language of connection. Premiering in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, the film combines sweeping landscapes, delicate storytelling and traditional folk music to create a reflective and moving cinematic experience.

Directed by Hafsia Herzi, this finely judged French drama follows a 17-year-old from a loving Franco-Algerian family as she begins university in Paris and gradually confronts feelings that challenge the life she has always known. As new friendships, freedoms and desires emerge, she is forced to navigate the difficult space between personal truth, religious belief and family loyalty. What unfolds is a deeply human story of self-discovery shaped by tenderness rather than sensationalism. The film’s strength lies in its emotional clarity and restraint. It approaches questions of sexuality, faith and belonging with compassion, allowing the central character’s inner conflict to unfold with nuance and intelligence. Nadia Melliti brings extraordinary freshness and vulnerability to the lead role, giving the story its sense of immediacy and emotional depth. Her performance, recognised at Cannes, helps elevate the film into a work of real intimacy and lasting impact. Presented in Official Competition at Cannes and later selected for the 2026 Alliance Française French Film Festival, this is a richly felt piece of contemporary French cinema. For audiences drawn to character-driven stories with social insight, warmth and quiet courage, it offers a deeply resonant screen experience.

Come and support Mindil Aces Football Club with their Deckchair Cinema Fundraiser screening of The Magic Faraway Tree. Caterer: Yogi's Way Based on Enid Blyton’s best-selling children’s classic The Magic Faraway Tree follows Polly and Tim and their children Beth, Joe and Fran – a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man. At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular and fantastical lands and, through the joys and challenges of their adventures, the family learn to reconnect and value each other for the first time in years.

Directed by Aidan Zamiri and built from an original idea by Charli xcx, this stylish mockumentary steps inside the strange machinery of contemporary pop fame. The story follows a rising star on the verge of her arena-tour breakthrough as managers, collaborators, cameras and expectations close in around her. What emerges is a playful but pointed portrait of celebrity culture, where identity, branding and artistic control are constantly in negotiation. Charli xcx brings sharp self-awareness and magnetic screen presence to the central role, while the supporting cast, including Rosanna Arquette, Kate Berlant, Jamie Demetriou, Kylie Jenner, Rachel Sennott and Alexander Skarsgård, adds humour, volatility and pop-cultural charge. The appeal lies in the film’s ability to feel both glossy and slyly revealing, balancing absurd comedy with the real emotional pressure of life lived in public. Released by A24 in January 2026, it arrived as a distinctly current work that speaks directly to fame in the age of image saturation and relentless personal branding. For audiences interested in music culture, celebrity satire and contemporary screen style, it offers a smart, entertaining and sharply observed cinema experience.

Few modern scandals have captivated France as the astonishing events surrounding Liliane Bettencourt, the billionaire heiress to the L’Oreal fortune and doyenne of Parisian society. Now writer/director Thierry Klifa has freely adapted the incredible story into a captivating dark comedy, featuring a jaw-dropping, tailor-made role for one of France’s most iconic stars. Marianne Farrère (Isabelle Huppert), the head of the Windler Group, is the richest woman in the world. Pierre-Alain Fantin (Laurent Lafitte) is a vivacious dandy, writer and photographer. After meeting on a photo shoot, the two quickly become inseparable. Their friendship – one where Pierre-Alain is only too happy to take financial advantage – surprises, amuses, intrigues, and eventually unsettles the billionaire’s entourage and family. Most of all, Marianne’s daughter (Marina Fois) struggles with her mother’s sudden complicity with this younger man, but her husband (André Marcon) and loyal butler (Raphaël Personnaz) share her concerns. Surreptitious queries soon transition into a private investigation, resulting in extraordinary ramifications for all involved… With several twists too good to spoil, THE RICHEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD makes the most of its fabulous ensemble cast, but Huppert and Lafitte simply eat up the screen. This wildly entertaining film became an enormous box-office hit in France for good reason.

This remarkable new work from Kaouther Ben Hania brings urgent contemporary history into a finely crafted cinematic form, blending real-time tension with deep emotional sensitivity. Inspired by the true story of Hind Rajab, the film follows an emergency call that becomes a portrait of fear, courage and the extraordinary determination of those trying to help from afar. Driven by a superb ensemble including Saja Kilani, Motaz Malhees, Amer Hlehel and Clara Khoury, the film creates immense dramatic power through voice, timing and human presence rather than spectacle. The result is intimate, haunting and profoundly affecting, while remaining precise, compassionate and artistically controlled throughout. Premiering in competition at Venice and emerging as a major prize winner, this internationally celebrated release confirms Ben Hania’s standing as one of contemporary cinema’s most compelling filmmakers. For audiences drawn to boundary-pushing world cinema, urgent political storytelling and films that leave a lasting emotional imprint, this is an essential and deeply resonant screen experience, notable for its humanity, craft and quiet moral force.

Top Dog Film Festival 2026: The Ultimate Cinematic Celebration of Dogs Get ready to fall in love all over again. The 2026 Top Dog Film Festival returns with an electrifying collection of films that prove dogs aren't just pets—they're heroes, healers, and the best friends we never knew we needed. Witness jaw-dropping adventures, heart-melting rescues, and brilliant canines whose intelligence will leave you speechless. Meet the passionate humans dedicating their lives to helping our four-legged companions thrive, and discover stories so powerful they'll change how you see the world. This 2+ hour cinematic experience brings you the finest short films from visionary independent filmmakers across the globe—each one a testament to the unbreakable connection between dogs and the people they choose to love. From laugh-out-loud moments to tears of pure joy, these carefully selected stories will remind you why dogs hold such a sacred place in our hearts. Don't just watch from the sidelines—be part of something extraordinary. Grab your tickets now and join a community of dog lovers for a cinema experience you'll never forget! Get your tickets before they all sell out – you’d be barking mad to miss it. www.TopDogFilmFestival.com.au ONE SCREENING ONLY Seating is not allocated. Arrive early for the best seats. This program is exempt from rating but would be considered a PG program.

Come and support St John NT with their Deckchair Cinema Fundraiser screening of Wicked. Caterer: to be confirmed Step into the enchanting world of Oz with Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu. This musical adaptation brings to life the untold story of Elphaba and Glinda, two young women whose unexpected friendship defies societal norms and challenges the very fabric of their world. Cynthia Erivo portrays Elphaba, a passionate and misunderstood young woman with emerald-green skin, while Ariana Grande embodies Glinda, the ambitious and popular counterpart. Their journey from rivalry to deep friendship unfolds against a backdrop of political intrigue and magical wonders. The film's rich storytelling is complemented by its stunning visuals and a score that resonates with both longtime fans and newcomers. Supporting performances by Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum add depth to this multifaceted narrative. Wicked not only redefines a classic tale but also invites audiences to reflect on themes of acceptance, identity, and the true nature of good and evil.

Warwick Thornton’s latest feature returns to the outback frontier with a story shaped by hardship, endurance and the fierce drive to reunite family. Set in 1930s Central Australia, it follows Aboriginal children forced into labour at the wolfram mines who escape and begin a dangerous journey across country towards their mother, Pansy. The result is a work that combines the scale of the Australian western with a deeply rooted First Nations perspective, shifting attention away from colonial myth and towards survival, dispossession and resilience. Deborah Mailman, Pedrea Jackson and Thomas M. Wright anchor the film with strength and presence, while Thornton’s cinematography gives the landscape immense power without ever losing sight of the human stakes. Its connection to Sweet Country will appeal to audiences familiar with Thornton’s earlier work, but this story stands with its own distinct emotional force and historical urgency. Premiering at Adelaide Film Festival before screening in competition at Berlin, it arrives with major festival stature. For patrons interested in Australian cinema, First Nations storytelling and serious historical drama, it offers a commanding and memorable screen experience.