Shayda (2023)
★★★★☆
Shayda, the heartfelt first feature directed by Noora Niasari, is a compelling story of an Iranian woman fleeing domestic abuse to seek cultural freedom.
Australia
A Stitch in Time (2023)
★★★☆☆
A Stitch in Time, a heart-warming Australian film directed by Sasha Hadden, stars Maggie Blinco.
Sequin in a Blue Room (2019) – on demand
★★★★☆
An Australian teen’s obsession with an anonymous sex app ventures into dangerous territory when he is invited into the Blue Room in Samuel Van Grinsven’s stylish gay thriller Sequin in a Blue Room.
BFI Flare: My First Summer (2020) – on demand
★★★★☆
In My First Summer by Katie Found, in rural Australia a sheltered teenage girl suffers a devastating loss but is unexpectedly brought to life by a sudden special connection with a fellow teen.
Babyteeth (2019)
★★★★☆
Babyteeth is a vivid new take on coming-of-age directed by Shannon Murphy from a script that Rita Kalnejais adapted from her play of the same title.
Camino Skies (2019) – Q&A on 13 May and ON DEMAND
★★★★☆
Cathartic documentary following six strangers walking the pilgrim way to Santiago de Compostela.
The True History of the Kelly Gang (2019)
★★★★☆
In The True History of the Kelly Gang Justin Kurzel memorably reimagines the Australian legend in the searing, burning landscapes of Peter Carey’s award-winning novel.
Judy & Punch (2019)
★★★★☆
Judy & Punch by Mirrah Foulkes is a feminist reimagination and reversal of the traditional, violent seaside Punch and Judy puppet show that takes it back its 16th century origins.
BFI LFF 2019: Judy & Punch (2019)
★★★★☆
Judy & Punch by Mirrah Foulkes is a feminist reimagination and reversal of the traditional, violent seaside Punch and Judy puppet show that takes it back its 16th century origins.
Sweet Country (2017)
★★★★★
Warwick Thornton’s bold and original period Aussie Western Sweet Country contrasts brutal men against land of spectacular beauty.
Hounds of Love (2016)
★★★★☆
Ben Brown’s first feature Hounds of Love is a brutal serial killer thriller.
Oz Film Fest: Hounds of Love (2016)
★★★☆☆
Ben Brown’s first feature Hounds of Love is a brutal serial killer thriller.
The Daughter (2015)
★★★☆☆
Relocating Ibsen’s The Wild Duck to the Australian outback, Simon Stone’s The Daughter remains an intense but stagey melodrama.
Sherpa (2015)
★★★☆☆
Giving a voice to the sherpas who risk life and limb to make a living on Everest, Jennifer Peedom’s Sherpa finds itself caught between two camps.