2024 Sydney Underground Film Festival Program

THURSDAY 12 SEPTEMBER

OPENING NIGHT FILM + PARTY DOORS OPEN 6.30 pm | film 7.00 pm

IN GLORIOUS SMELL-O-RAMA! > DIR. JOHN WATERS > 1974 | USA | 97 mins | COMEDY > 50th ANNIVERSARY | REMASTERED

WITH COMPLIMENTARY

CRUST pizza, beer thanks to WAYWARD BREWERY and LITTLE RIPPLES wine, chocolates thanks to CRUMPLER and MISS DEATH spinning the FEMALE TROUBLE-inspired retro tunes! > Page 8

INSTAGAM.COM/SYDNEYUNDERGROUNDFILMFEST FACEBOOK.COM/SYDNEYUNDERGROUNDFILMFEST YOUTUBE.COM/SYDNEYUNDERGROUND X @SUFFFILMFEST

N EW TOW N

FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER

2.00 PM DARLA IN SPACE

> DIR. SUSIE MOON & ERIC LAPLANTE > 2023 | USA | 94 mins | COMEDY/SCI-FI > Page 17

3.00 PM VULCANIZADORA

> DIR. JOEL POTRYKUS > 2024 | USA | 84 mins | DRAMA > Page 30

4.00 PM STRANGER THAN FICTION? - SHORTS

EYE-OPENING, BITE-SIZED SHORTS PUSHING BOUNDARIES > Page 38

4.50 PM TIM TRAVERS & THE

TIME TRAVELER’S PARADOX

7.00 PM SAINT CLARE

> DIR. MITZI PEIRONE > 2024 | USA | 92 mins | HORROR/THRILLER > Page 24

7.50 PM RATS!

> DIR. CARL FRY & MAXWELL NALEVANSKY > 2023 | USA | 90 mins | COMEDY > Page 22

9.00 PM OFF RAMP

> DIR. NATHAN TAPE > 2023 | USA | 90 mins | COMEDY > Page 21

9.30 PM MOTHER FATHER SISTER BROTHER FRANK

> DIR. STIMSON SNEAD > 2024 | USA | 103 mins | COM/SCI-FI > Page 29

> DIR. CADEN DOUGLAS > 2024 | CAN | 85 mins | COMEDY/HORROR > Page 20

6.00 PM WTF! SHORTS

9.45 PM WE ARE ZOMBIES

A PACKAGE OF SHORTS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART > Page 40

7.00 PM 1 SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD YEARS AGO > DIR. JASON AXEL SUMMERS > 2024 | USA/AUS | 101 mins > MUSIC DOCUMENTARY > Page 18

> DIR. RKSS > 2023 | CANADA | 80 mins COMEDY/HORROR > Page 20

E = Special Events

F = Features

D = Documentaries

S = Short Films

SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 10.30 AM JILL WESTWOOD RETROSPECTIVE

> IN CONVERSATION > Page 32

12.00 PM THE HYPERBOREANS

> DIR. CRISTÓBAL LEÓN, JOAQUÍN COCIÑA > 2024 | CHILE | 72 mins | ANIMATION/EXPERIMENTAL > Page 25

12.30 PM OFF RAMP

> DIR. NATHAN TAPE > 2023 | USA | 90 mins | COMEDY > Page 21

2.00 PM MICHEL GONDRY: DO IT YOURSELF

> DIR. FRANÇOIS NEMETA > 2023 | FRANCE | 80 mins | DOC > Page 19

2.30 PM DARLA IN SPACE

> DIR. SUSIE MOON & ERIC LAPLANTE > 2023 | USA | 94 mins | COMEDY/SCI-FI > Page 17

3.00 PM TAKE 48 SHORTS

> FILM MAKING CHALLENGE > Page 42

4.00 PM THE LOST SEX FILM OF KINGS CROSS > Page 33

4.30 PM RATS!

> DIR. CARL FRY & MAXWELL NALEVANSKY > 2023 | USA | 90 mins | COMEDY > Page 22

5.30 PM DAAAAAALI!

> DIR. QUENTIN DUPIEUX > 2023 | FRANCE | 78 mins | COMEDY > Page 16

6.15 PM SACRAMENTO

> DIR. MICHAEL ANGARANO > 2024 | USA | 84 mins | COMEDY > Page 23

6.30 PM LOVE/SICK - SHORTS

THE DARK SIDE OF OBSESSION, LUST AND DESIRE > Page 36

7.30 PM THE ORGANIST

> DIR. ANDY BURKITT > 2023 | AUS | 97 mins | DRAMA/COMEDY/HORROR/ THRILLER > Page 27

8.00 PM SAINT CLARE

> DIR. MITZI PEIRONE > 2024 | USA | 92 mins | HORROR / THRILLER > Page 24

8.30 PM CAN'T STOP THE MUSIC

+ AFTER PARTY AT BOOTLEGGERS > Page 14

9.50 AM THE VISITOR

> DIR. BRUCE LaBRUCE > 2024 | UK | 101 mins | COMEDY > Page 287

SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER

11.15 AM TIM TRAVERS & THE TIME TRAVELER’S PARADOX > DIR. STIMSON SNEAD > 2024 | USA | 103 mins > COMEDY/SCI-FI > Page 29

2.30 PM CRASS: THE SOUND OF FREE SPEECH

> DIR. BRANDON SPIVEY > 2023 | UK | 94 mins | MUSIC DOC > Page 15

3.00 PM THE LIES WE TELL OURSELVES

12.30 PM SACRAMENTO

> DIR. SAARA LAMBERG > 2023 | AUS | 90 mins | COMEDY/ EXPERIMENTAL > Page 26

> DIR. MICHAEL ANGARANO > 2024 | USA | 84 mins | COMEDY > Page 23

1.00 PM THE ORGANIST

3.30 PM MOTHER FATHER SISTER BROTHER FRANK

1.30 PM VULCANIZADORA

4.30 PM HOMEBAKED - SHORTS

> DIR. ANDY BURKITT > 2023 | AUS | 97 mins | DRAMA/ COMEDY/HORROR/THRILLER > Page 27

> DIR. JOEL POTRYKUS > 2024 | USA | 84 mins | DRAMA > Page 17

> DIR. CADEN DOUGLAS > 2024 | CANADA | 85 mins | COMEDY/HORROR > Page 20

AUSSIE FILMMAKERS WHO CROSS GENRES AND DEFY CONVENTIONS > Page 34

CLOSING NIGHT FILM + AWARDS + PARTY DOORS OPEN 6.00 pm | film 6.30 pm

> Page 10

OR, THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE RISE AND FALL OF THE WORLD'S WILDEST CINEMA AND HOW IT INFLUENCED A MIXED-UP GENERATION OF WEIRDOS AND MISFITS

> DIR. JANE GILES, ALI CATTERALL > 2023 | UK | 96 mins | DOCUMENTARY > NSW PREMIERE

Complimentary drink thanks to WAYWARD BREWERY and LITTLE RIPPLES WINE

BOOTLEGGERS 285 KING STREET, NEWTOWN

Welcome loveable weirdos and misfits!

Get ready to dive into the wild and wonderful world of this year’s most daring indie cinema!

From September 12th to 15th, we’re bringing you a lineup that’s sure to shock, entertain, and inspire.

We’re kicking things off with a bang— celebrating 50 years since the making of John Waters’ chaotic masterpiece FEMALE TROUBLE in glorious SMELL-O-RAMA! And what better way to close out the fest than with the must-see doco SCALA!!! If you’re a true cinephile, you’ll love the story of the wildest cinema ever.

6

Over the four days, we’ve got a killer selection of films—13 Australian Premieres, to be exact! You can explore whacky quantum mechanics alongside Machete, go on a comical metaphysical rollercoaster with Daaaaaali, experience a sentient orgasm-granting kombucha scoby or partake in the rebellious depravity of Bruce la Bruce! Plus, YOU CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC is back on the big screen, remastered and ready to rock Dendy Newtown for the first time in 40 years! And naturally, our beloved short film sessions are back—if it’s wild, weird, or just plain bonkers, we’ve got it!

We can’t wait to see you there!

| WELCOME

STANDARD SESSION

FESTIVAL PASSES

ADULTS .......................................... $20 CONCESSION ................................ $18 Club Dendy MEMBERS................... $15

3 FILM PASS..................................... $51 ( Save $9 / $17 each )

OPENING/CLOSING NIGHT OPENING Night + Party ................ $36 OPENING Night + Party (Conc) .....$34 CLOSING Night + Party.................. $26 CLOSING Night + Party (Conc) .... $24 TERMS & CONDITIONS $2 booking fee per ticket – online only (passes do not occur booking fees.) All ticketing terms and conditions are found on the Dendy Newtown website. All sessions are Unclassified 15+ unless otherwise noted. *Ticket breakdown for the opening and closing tickets: Opening night is $20 film adult or $18 film concession + $16 party. Closing Night is $20 film adult or $18 concession and $6 party.

CINEMA

5 FILM PASS ................................... $80 ( Save $20 / $16 each ) 10 FILM PASS ................................$140 ( Save $60 / $14 each ) *Festival passes are for separate sessions for one person. Passes cannot be used for Opening, Closing or Special Events.

GROUP BOOKINGS

For bookings of 20, please email: sydneyevents@dendy.com.au

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS?

Online at suff.com.au/tickets or via the Dendy Box Office in-person or online. Limited tickets available at the door, if not sold out prior.

OUR SESSION TIMES ARE FILM START TIMES, DON'T BE LATE!

PUBLIC TRANSPORT Visit transportnsw.info or phone 131 500 for information about Sydney’s bus, ferry, train and light rail networks.

NEWTOWN STATION is just a 3 minute walk to Dendy Cinemas, Newtown.

ACCESSIBILITY

261-263 King Street, Newtown, NSW www.dendy.com.au

All cinemas are wheelchair accessible and has allocated wheelchair locations. Please use the lift on the Ground Floor. Cinemas 1-4 are located on Level 1 and Cinemas 5-10 are located on Level 3. Accessible bathrooms are located on the Ground Floor and on Level 3. The lift can be self-operated or you can ask staff for assistance.

7

| TICKETS + PASSES

JOHN WATERS'

“One of the most startling and hilarious American films ever made. FEMALE TROUBLE is an unholy masterpiece of cult cinema that is just as jaw-dropping today as it was 50 years ago.”

- THE GUARDIAN

IN GLORIOUS SMELL-O-RAMA! > DIR. JOHN WATERS > 1974 | USA | 97 mins | COMEDY > 50TH ANNIVERSARY | REMASTERED CRIME PAYS! Celebrate the 50th anniversary of John Waters' outrageously audacious classic, Female Trouble, presented in divine Smell-O-Rama!

Dive into the twisted life of Dawn Davenport, a bratty schoolgirl turned deranged mass murderer, all because her parents refused to buy her chacha heels for Christmas. Dawn, played by the incomparable Divine, embarks on a depraved journey of crime, chaos, and infamy in Waters’ second instalment of the Trash Trilogy.

“A depraved journey of crime and chaos that shocks and delights! Divine is unforgettable in John Waters' most outrageous masterpiece.”

- THE VILLAGE VOICE Described by critic Rex Reed as containing "sex offenses that would shock the Marquis de Sade," Female Trouble is a shocking and hilarious critique of societal norms. Shot in Baltimore and featuring the Dreamlanders ensemble— Mink Stole, David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce, Edith Massey, and Cookie Mueller—this 16mm masterpiece is packed with unforgettable scenes and quotable lines. Don't miss this gloriously lurid satire that was Divine’s favourite film.

AGES

18+

|

8 OPENING NIGHT

OPENING NIGHT

CO-PRESENTED BY

|

DOORS OPEN 6.30 pm film 7.00 pm This special event of FEMALE TROUBLE with SCRATCH N’ SNIFF is presented in collaboration with SNIVURE and SCENTED STORYTELLING.

WITH COMPLIMENTARY • Pizza from CRUST • Beer from WAYWARD BREWERY • Wine from LITTLE RIPPLES WINERY • Chocolate thanks to CRUMPLER PLUS MISS DEATH spinning the FEMALE TROUBLE - inspired retro tunes!

|

9 OPENING NIGHT

Plus, your ticket includes THE SUFF OFFICIAL AFTER-PARTY at DENDY! With special guest MYA SOUL

as DAWN DAVENPORT!

OR, THE INCREDIBLY STRANGE RISE AND FALL OF THE WORLD'S WILDEST CINEMA AND HOW IT INFLUENCED A MIXED-UP GENERATION OF WEIRDOS AND MISFITS OFFICIAL SELECTION

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2024

OFFICIAL SELECTION

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2024 > DIR. JANE GILES, ALI CATTERALL > 2023 | UK | 96 mins | DOCUMENTARY > NSW PREMIERE Delirious, debaucherous, and downright dangerous – the Scala was the epicentre of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll in Thatcher-era London.

Nestled in the infamous King’s Cross district, this stunning Art Deco cinema was home to a riotous mix of cult classics, sexploitation, horror, and LGBTQIA+ films from 1978 to 1993. It was a haven for freaks, weirdos, and renegades, or as John Waters put it, “a country club for criminals and lunatics.”

“Suitably riotous … taking us inside the shuddering walls and recreating the unique atmosphere of the venue that was nicknamed the ‘Sodom Odeon’.” - THE OBSERVER

Directed by Jane Giles and Ali Catterall, Scala!!! features interviews with nearly 50 contributors, including Peter Strickland, Ben Wheatley, and Mary Harron. Brimming with exuberant anecdotes and unseen archival footage, this fast-paced documentary celebrates the Scala’s legacy as a cultural beacon that inspired a generation.

|

10 CLOSING NIGHT

Join us for a Closing Night celebration of all things cult cinema; Scala!!! is a wickedly good time that transcends nostalgia, showcasing the power of cinema to create community and provide refuge for outsiders.

"An electrifying tribute to the wild heart of London's underground cinema scene – Scala!!! is a must-see for film lovers and rebels alike."

- FILM FESTIVAL INSIDER

CLOSING NIGHT |

DOORS OPEN 6.00 pm film 6.30 pm

CO-PRESENTED BY Calling all film, music, art and culture vultures! - We’ll be closing out this year’s

SYDNEY UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL with SCALA!!!, a wild new doc that is the perfect bookend for the 2024 FESTIVAL. ENJOY A COMPLIMENTARY: WAYWARD BEER or LITTLE RIPPLES WINE on arrival before the film.

SUFF & TAKE48 awards presented before the closing night film. To find out more info and to meet our esteemed Jury, head to: SUFF.COM.AU/2024JURY

After the film SCALA!!! - head to BOOTLEGGERS at Kelly’s on King, Newtown for the official SUFF AFTER-PARTY enjoy a dose of scala- inspired tunes provided by GROOVESCOOTER DJs.

|

11 CLOSING NIGHT

Get Animation creative Publishing Music with Sound Design UTS Media Film

and more..

40739 JULY 2024

UTS CRICOS 00099F / UTS TEQSA PRV12060

Learn more

We are Producible, by name and by nature. When creativity, quality and reliability are non-negotiable, experienced marketing professionals have trusted in our proven results for decades.

That’s the power of creative producibility.

Proud supporters of Sydney Underground Film Festival since 2017.

Producible.com.au

SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 8.30 pm

ME IN OVER 40 YEARS!

FOR THE FIRST TI BACK ON THE BIG SCREEN

JOIN US AFTER THE FILM SATURDAY NIGHT AT BOOTLEGGERS (LEVEL 1 KELLY'S ON KING, NEWTOWN) AS DJ MAYNARD SPINS ALL THE DISCO HITS! > DIR. NANCY WALKER > USA | 1980 | 2HRS > MUSICAL/COMEDY > REMASTERED (2024 RELEASE)

Introduced by Village People aficionado and general goose MAYNARD (Triple J, Foxtel, maynard.com.au)

COME DRESSED AS YOUR FAVOURITE VILLAGE PEOPLE CHARACTER OR IN EIGHTIES DISCO GLAM FOR A CHANCE TO WIN AWESOME PRIZES. Starring the fabulous Village People, Caitlyn Jenner, Steve Guttenberg and the dazzling Valerie Perrine, this 1980 musical comedy, directed by the legendary Nancy Walker, is a joyous celebration of the exuberant disco era.

CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC was a box office smash in Australia (and nowhere else) and has become a beloved tradition on Aussie TV screens every New Year's Eve. For some Australians, it isn’t NYE until they’ve seen Steve

Guttenburg hallucinating and dancing in New York City on roller skates.

CAN’T STOP THE MUSIC follows songwriter Jack Morell (Steve Guttenberg) as he assembles an overly diverse band of performers to create

the ultimate disco sensation.

With the help of his roommate Samantha (Valerie Perrine), a former supermodel, they navigate the wild and colourful world of New York City's music scene.

Join us for an evening filled with infectious tunes, outrageous costumes, and shameless nonstop camp!

You’ll think all your NYEs have come at once!

| |

FEATURES 14 14DOCUMENTARIES SPECIAL EVENTS

" This movie can direct itself.”

- NANCY WALKER (DIRECTOR)

SUNDAY | 15 SEPT | 2.30 pm

CRASS: THE SOUND OF FREE SPEECH OFFICIAL SELECTION

SUMMER SERIES

SEEYOUSOUND MUSIC FILM FESTIVAL 2023

DOC'N ROLL 2024

> DIR. BRANDON SPIVEY > 2023 | UK | 94 mins | MUSIC DOCUMENTARY > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE Celebratory, raw and shocking, this film is as close to the story of the anarcho-punk band as you’re going to get.

Crass formed in Essex in 1977, and disbanded all too soon in 1984. Their work promoted grass roots activism and a movement of resistance that awakened and appealed to many, inspiring a multitude of bands and artists along the way.

This documentary revisits the controversies and outrage that surrounded one of the band’s earliest musical and political statements: Reality Asylum.

Made with the blessing of Crass members, the film dives into 1970s Britain; the birth of punk and the formation of Crass, with an in-depth look at their art, music, politics and ethos, plus its impact on those who were trying to make sense of a brutal hostile society they had no place in.

"A powerful examination of Crass' lasting impact on punk, art, and political activism, delivering a message that's more relevant now than ever.”

- SEEYOUSOUND FESTIVAL

|

15 DOCUMENTARIES SPECIAL EVENTS

Spivey also tells a broader story, expanding on the narrative of anarchism and a broken system. Through open-hearted interviews he touches upon subjects such as assault carried out by the church, Magdalene Laundries in Ireland, the biggest war that threatens humanity; class war, and of course what it was like to be a punk band in the 70s and the 80s.

"An explosive dive into the anarcho-punk ethos of Crass, capturing their defiant spirit and relentless critique of a broken society.”

- INDIEKINO MAGAZIN

OFFICIAL SELECTION

SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 5.30 pm

OFFICIAL SELECTION

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2023

IFFR 2024

THOMAS et MATHIEU MATHIEUVERHAEGHE VERHAEGHE THOMAS et présentent présentent

DAAAAAALI! > DIR. QUENTIN DUPIEUX > 2023 | FRANCE | 78 mins | COMEDY/BIOPIC > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE Daaaaaali! is Quentin Dupieux's latest dive into surrealist comedy, exploring the flamboyant life and elusive persona of the iconic Salvador Dalí – like you have never seen before.

Set in the mid-1980s, the film follows Judith, a pharmacist-turned-journalist (Anaïs Demoustier), who embarks on a Sisyphean quest to secure an interview with the enigmatic artist. As she navigates Dalí's labyrinthine demands and eccentricities, the film's narrative unfolds in a series of dreamlike sequences, featuring five

“Ingeniously crafted and hilariously unpredictable, 'Daaaaali!' is a cinematic journey that defies conventions.”

- CINEUROPA

|

film de de un film

QUENTIN DUPIEUX

Son

Scénario, réalisation, Décors et image, montage QUENTIN DUPIEUX direction artistique JOAN LE BORU Musique THOMAS BANGALTER Premier GUILLAUME LE BRAZ ALEXIS PLACE GADOU NAUDIN JEAN-PAUL HURIER Costumes ISABELLE PANNETIER assistant réalisateur CHRISTIAN ALZIEU Direction Régie Direction de production ARNAUD TOURNAIRE générale STÉPHANE AVENARD de post-production CAMILLE CARIOU Producteurs THOMAS & MATHIEU VERHAEGHE ASSOCIATES M PRODUCTIONS MALIKA LAMBERT MATTHIEU GIRAUD Coproduit par FRANCE 3 CINÉMA soutienAvecde lale RÉGION ÎLE - DE - FRANCE Avec le Avec la RÉGION PROVENCE - ALPES - CÔTE D’AZUR En partenariat avec le CNC Et de la SACEM soutien de CANAL+ participation de OCS FRANCE TÉLÉVISIONS Et de C8 COFINOVA 19 CINEAXE 4 ENTOURAGE SOFICA INDÉFILMS 11 PALATINE ÉTOILE 20 SG IMAGE 2021 et CINÉMAGE 18 Distribution PROCIREP CINÉMAGE 15 DÉVELOPPEMENT COFIMAGE DÉVELOPPEMENT 11 International Sales KINOLOGY salles France DIAPHANA DISTRIBUTION ©2023 - ATELIER DE PRODUCTION - FRANCE 3 CINÉMA

Producteurs associés

De la

En association avec Avec la participation de la

different actors portraying Dalí at various stages of his life, often switching mid-scene. With Dupieux's signature absurdity (Rubber, Deerskin) and clever practical effects, Daaaaaali! blurs the lines between reality and illusion, much like Dalí's own art. This biopic is a hilarious, whimsical homage to the surrealist master, filled with playful nods to Dalí's unpredictable nature and Dupieux's own previous work, including Reality (SUFF 2015).

16 FEATURES

“A wildly inventive homage to the surrealist master, Dupieux captures Dalí's spirit with playful absurdity and wit.”

- VENICE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

WINNER AUDIENCE AWARD BEST NARATIVE FEATURE

INDIE FILM FEST 2024

FRIDAY | 13 SEPT | 2.00 pm SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 2.30 pm

BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE

CAPITAL CITY FILM FESTIVAL 2024

DARLA IN SPACE > DIR. SUSIE MOON & ERIC LAPLANTE > 2023 | USA | 94 mins | COMEDY/SCI-FI > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE A brilliantly absurd and charming film that is possibly one of the strangest trips you will go on this year at SUFF! Darla in Space is a quirky, out-of-this-world comedy that follows Darla Peterson, the owner of Kitty Kasket, LLC, a company that crafts custom coffins for cats. Her business is in jeopardy when she discovers a massive tax bill of $349,000.22, with only a month to pay it off.

While helping her mother clean a warehouse, Darla encounters an unlikely ally—Mother, a sentient kombucha SCOBY with an extraordinary

ability: granting mind-blowing orgasms. Mother is eager to help Darla raise the money, but they have one condition—Darla must help them get to space. What ensues is a hilarious journey filled with outrageous marketing schemes, cosmic escapades, and a touching friendship between a woman and a kombucha!

OFFICIAL SELECTION

SLAMDANCE 2024

|

17 FEATURES

“Darla in Space is a brilliantly absurd film that seamlessly blends heart and humour.

A unique and charming narrative, it's a delightful oddity that keeps you engaged from start to finish” - KRISTY STROUSE, FILM INQUIRY

OFFICIAL SELECTION

DOCN'ROLL 2024

SATURDAY | 13 SEPT | 7.00 pm

OFFICIAL SELECTION

REVELATION PERTH FILM FESTIVAL 2024

I SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD Plus Q&A with YEARS AGO Bruce Griffiths CO-PRESENTED BY

(Aberrant Records)

> DIR. JASON AXEL SUMMERS > 2024 | USA/AUS | 101 mins | MUSIC DOCUMENTARY > NSW PREMIERE He screwed with rock and roll to create something wilder than most could ever imagine. For old fans and neophytes alike, this documentary delves into the life and art of Stuart Gray, aka Stu Spasm, the enigmatic genius behind the iconic psychotronic band Lubricated Goat (the same band infamous for their naked 80s performance on the ABC!). Spanning over 20 years of footage, the film offers an unparalleled look

into the tumultuous journey of this underground rock legend. With a mix of archival material, candid interviews, and personal photos, it also captures Gray’s wild live shows

|

18 DOCUMENTARIES

and his distinctive art. This odyssey through the life of a compulsively creative iconoclast reveals how an artist finds redemption far beyond the realm of mainstream success.

“An amazing personal journey -- 20 years in the making - with one of noise rock/grunge's most unjustly unsung visionaries” – MARK PRINDLE

OFFICIAL SELECTION

VENICE FILM FESTIVAL 2023

SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 2.00 pm

OFFICIAL SELECTION

HOT DOCS 2023

MICHEL GONDRY: DO IT YOURSELF > DIR. DIR. FRANÇOIS NEMETA > 2023 | FRANCE | 80 mins | DOCUMENTARY > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE A whimsical and intimate documentary that dives into the eclectic mind of Michel Gondry, a visionary filmmaker known for his unique blend of creativity and DIY ethos.

Directed by François Nemeta, the film offers a behind-the-scenes look at Gondry's illustrious career, from his groundbreaking music videos for artists like Björk, Daft Punk, and The White Stripes, to his Academy Award-winning work

"A fascinating exploration of Gondry's playful visual style and inventive creativity. This documentary offers an intimate look at a director who truly embodies the DIY ethos in filmmaking." – 360° SOUND

|

on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

The documentary explores Gondry's inventive techniques, inspired by the legendary Georges Méliès and his own fantastical imagination, showcasing his journey from a French underground video artist to a Hollywood maverick. Featuring interviews with Kylie Minogue, Beck, and Jack Black, this film is a celebration of Gondry's playful and rebellious spirit.

19 DOCUMENTARIES

"Michel Gondry's whimsical world comes to life in this engaging documentary, showcasing his journey from pioneering music videos to crafting dreamlike cinematic experiences." – POV MAGAZINE

OFFICIAL SELECTION

CALGARY UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL 2024

FRIDAY | 13 SEPT | 9.30 pm

WINNER BEST COMEDY

THE VERMONT FILM FESTIVAL 2024 WINNER AUDIENCE CHOICE

DARK BRIDGES FILM FESTIVAL 2024

OFFICIAL SELECTION

PANIC FEST 2024

“...a blood-soaked blast!”

- GRUESOME MAGAZINE

MOTHER FATHER SISTER BROTHER FRANK > DIR. CADEN DOUGLAS > 2024 | CANADA | 85 mins | COMEDY/HORROR > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE The Jennings family couldn’t be more painfully suburban, but when asshole Uncle Frank crashes their weekly Sunday dinner with a nasty surprise, murder turns up on the menu.

It’s Sunday family dinner and you can cut the tension with a knife. Dad's drinking, Jim’s buried in his phone, Jolene’s on a cleanse, and Mom's doing her best to cover the silence with idle chit-chat.

On the surface, they seem like a happy family, but trouble is brewing. When Uncle Frank shows

“Not a single minute of this fastpaced caper is anything short of side-splittingly funny. ” - MORBIDLY BEAUTIFUL

|

up, and the adult children learn that he’s been blackmailing their parents, the Jennings' thoughts turn to murder. Once the haze of bloodlust, wine and pie clears, the Jennings’ realise they have no clue how to be murderers, how to get rid of a body, or how the hell to get out of this bloody mess! Can they overcome secrets and dysfunction to learn that the family that slays together stays together?

Think Very Bad Things meets The Brady Bunch with hilarious performances by Enrico Colantoni, Mindy Cohn an d the entire cast.

20 FEATURES

“A joy to watch from start to finish... A family dinner worth attending.”

- SCARE VALUE

OFFICIAL SELECTION

CHATTANOOGA FILM FESTIVAL 2024

FRIDAY | 13 SEPT | 9.00 pm SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 12.30 pm

OFFICIAL SELECTION

SPLAT! FILMFEST 2024

OFFICIAL SELECTION

BOSTON UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL 2024 OFFICIAL SELECTION

CALGARY UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL 2024

OFF RAMP DIR. NATHAN TAPE > 2023 | USA | 90 mins | COMEDY > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE Embark on a wild, gore-soaked journey into America's bizarre underbelly with OFF RAMP, Nathan Tape’s electrifying debut.

The film follows Trey and Silas, two endearing and unapologetic Juggalos reuniting to celebrate Trey’s release from prison and peddle their rap demo. What starts as a spirited road trip to the legendary Gathering of the Juggalos quickly spirals into a nightmarish descent as they face off against a deranged sheriff, a bloodthirsty trailer park princess, and a gang of hillbillies eager for a violent ritual. Amidst escalating

“A blood-soaked carnival ride through the American abyss, OFF RAMP delivers a frenetic blend of horror, humour, and heart” - THE FILM ENTHUSIAST

|

chaos, they confront satanic ceremonies, severed limbs, and mind-bending horrors.

OFF RAMP plunges deep into the Juggalo subculture, exploring themes of identity, destiny, and friendship. With nods to horror classics like The Shining and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, this film delivers a fresh, exhilarating take on the genre, blending dark humour with the vibrant, misunderstood world of Juggalos. Brace yourself for a riotous crescendo of insanity that celebrates fierce loyalty and relentless resilience.

21 FEATURES

“A riotous, anarchic celebration of the Juggalo subculture, blending gutbusting comedy with goresoaked thrills.”

- INDIE HORROR REVIEW

OFFICIAL SELECTION

FANTASIA 2024

FRIDAY | 13 SEPT | 7.50pm SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 4.30 pm

OFFICIAL SELECTION

FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL 2024

RATS!

> DIR. CARL FRY & MAXWELL NALEVANSKY > 2023 | USA | 90 mins | COMEDY > AUSTRALIA PREMIERE It's 2007 and the peak of emo-culture is in full swing.

After being arrested for vandalising Fresno’s finest public telephone, well-meaning but rebellious teen Raphael is let off the hook with only 50 days of community service. But there’s a catch, Raphael must also move in with his sketchy drug-dealing cousin, who’s under investigation for selling WMDs by Officer Williams, a delusional cop with a vendetta. While Raphael would much rather listen to music with

the cool new emo girl, he finds himself in over his head with an FBI sting, a bizarre suicide and the facing the threat of nuclear disaster!

With a wacky cast of side characters, RATS! is a gleefully absurdist romp. Bursting with gory humour, a killer mid-aughts soundtrack, and instantly quotable lines, this film is a must-see for fans of unhinged, stoner comedy. Buckle up — this one’s a riotous blast from start to finish!

OFFICIAL SELECTION

CALGARY UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL 2024

|

22 FEATURES

"A frenetic explosion of hilarity and gore—RATS! is a riotous celebration of emo culture gone gloriously haywire!" - FILM FREAK CENTRAL

SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 6.15 pm SUNDAY | 15 SEPT | 12.30 pm

OFFICIAL SELECTION

TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 2024

MICHAEL CERA

SACRAMENTO

KRISTEN STEWART

MICHAEL ANGARANO

MAYA ERSKINE

A FILM BY MICHAEL ANGARANO

> DIR. MICHAEL ANGARANO > 2024 | USA | 84 mins | COMEDY > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE A charming, off-beat road trip where old friends confront their past and hilariously navigate the chaos of their future.

Buckle up for Sacramento, a film that packs a punch with its explosively hilarious dynamics and show-stealing ensemble.

When flighty and unpredictable Ricky (Michael Angarano) surprises his best friend Glenn (Michael Cera) with an impromptu road trip across California, Glenn is anything but thrilled. Kicked out of his convalescent home and grappling with his father’s death, Ricky seeks solace in the

open road. However, Glenn, on the cusp of starting a family with his wife Rosie (Kristen Stewart), is weary of Ricky's antics and desperate to leave their shared past behind. As they navigate through the worn yellow seats of Glenn’s old college car, they confront past mistakes and face the looming questions of their futures.

|

23 FEATURES

Sacramento offers a sweet and heart-warming journey through the complexities of friendship and personal growth. But rest assured, this is no slow-burn indie film. Writer/Director/Star Michael Angarano has crafted an excellent indie comedy that balances humour and poignancy, making it a must-see at this year’s festival.

“Sacramento might just be the funniest — and most charming — surprise of the year, with Michael Cera and Kristen Stewart stealing the show in this impeccably-cast dramedy.” - SLASH FILM

OFFICIAL SELECTION

FRIGHT FEST 2024

FRIDAY | 13 SEPT | 7.00 pm SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 8.00 pm

OFFICIAL SELECTION

TAORMINA FILM FESTIVAL 2024

CO-PRESENTED BY

DARK NIGHTS

FILM FESTIVAL

SAINT CLARE > DIR. MITZI PEIRONE > 2024 | USA | 92 mins | HORROR/THRILLER > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE Slay responsibly! Prepare for an electrifying experience with Saint Claire, the latest thriller from award-winning Mitzi Peirone, whose 2018 film Braid captivated audiences at the Sydney Underground Film Festival.

In this gripping narrative, sixteen-year-old Clare Bleecker (Bella Thorne - Divinity, Assassination Nation) seems like a typical teen living with her grandparents in the quaint town of Pickman Flats. But behind her unassuming façade lies a

horrifying secret. Adapted from Don Roff’s bestselling novel Clare at 16, Saint Claire dives into Clare’s disturbing reality, exploring a labyrinth of murder, corruption, and supernatural visions.

With original score by Zola Jesus and an all-star cast including Ryan Phillipe and Rebecca De Mornay, this film is a rollercoaster of tension and intrigue. Don’t miss this thrilling ride into the darkest depths of the human psyche!

“Bella Thorne delivers a chilling performance in Saint Clare, a film that masterfully blends spiritual themes with psychological horror."

- BLOODY DISGUSTING

|

24 FEATURES

“Saint Clare is a blood-soaked thriller that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats, with a captivating storyline and standout performances from its all-star cast."

- NERDLY

OFFICIAL SELECTION

CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2024

SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 12 noon

OFFICIAL SELECTION

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2024

THE HYPERBOREANS > DIR. CRISTÓBAL LEÓN, JOAQUÍN COCIÑA > 2024 | CHILE | 72 mins | ANIMATION/EXPERIMENTAL > NSW PREMIERE Following the critically acclaimed The Wolf House (SUFF, 2018), Chilean filmmakers Cristóbal León and Joaquín Cociña return with The Hyperboreans, a surreal exploration blending puppetry, stop-motion animation, and live-action.

In this experimental film, actress and psychologist Antonia Giesen plays herself as she guides the audience through a bizarre narrative inspired by the life and beliefs of Miguel Serrano, a Chilean diplomat and neo-Nazi occultist. The film delves into Serrano's esoteric

“A visually stunning and intellectually provocative experience, The Hyperboreans delves into the dark recesses of history with a bold, avant-garde approach." - FILM THREAT

theories, including his bizarre notion of a hidden paradise under Antarctica. Utilizing Méliès-style sets and eerie puppetry, León and Cociña craft a layered commentary on myth-making and historical memory. The Hyperboreans challenges viewers with its mix of reality and fiction, raising unsettling questions about the lingering influence of extremist ideologies. This unique cinematic experience, blending multiple forms of storytelling, showcases the duo's mastery in pushing the boundaries of animation and narrative.

“The Hyperboreans is a mesmerizing blend of fantasy and reality, showcasing León and Cociña's unique talent for pushing the boundaries of animation and storytelling."

|

25 FEATURES

- SCREEN DAILY

OFFICIAL SELECTION

REVELATION PERTH FILM FESTIVAL 2024

SUNDAY | 15 SEPT | 3.00 PM

THE LIES WE TELL OURSELVES

> DIR. SAARA LAMBERG > 2023 | AUS | 90 mins | COMEDY/ EXPERIMENTAL > NSW PREMIERE Directed by Saara Lamberg, this meta-puzzle box is a film about the making of the film you’re watching—a mindbending journey through the chaos of arthouse cinema. As Lamberg navigates the labyrinth

of wannabe actors, industry gatekeepers, and even a wellmeaning therapist, she delivers a self-aware and incisive commentary on the trials of independent filmmaking. From film festivals to agent meetings,

Q&A

Plus with director Saara Lamberg after the film screening hosted by Jack Sargeant.

|

26 FEATURES

The Lies We Tell Ourselves humorously deconstructs the art of getting a movie made, offering a fresh and witty perspective on the industry.

“In an industry where concepts and ideas are frequently recycled, Saara Lamberg breathes a breath of fresh air into the film industry!”

- MICHAEL LI, FILMPURGATORY.COM

Q&A with

Director Andy Burkitt and star Jack Braddy on Sat 14th September - hosted by Alexei Toliopoulos.

SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 7.30 pm SUNDAY | 15 SEPT | 1.00 pm

OFFICIAL SELECTION

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2024

> DIR. ANDY BURKITT > 2023 | AUS | 97 mins | DRAMA/COMEDY/HORROR/THRILLER > NSW PREMIERE An organ-procurement worker discovers his job is a front for a cannibalistic operation, leading to a darkly comedic and ethically twisted battle against a sinister HR department.

with HR. Forced into compliance, Graeme’s moral compass is put to the test. But when he meets his next donor target, a plan is devised to make things right.

In this deliciously macabre Melbourne-shot indie black comedy, Graeme Sloane (Jack Braddy) discovers that his organ-procurement job is a front for feeding a wealthy cannibal. This charismatic Hannibal Lecter type has invited Graeme over for dinner, leading to a shocking revelation and an ethically questionable meeting

Andy Burkitt’s feature directorial debut is morbid yet charming, blending absurdity with a darkly twisted plot. The energy of the local cast and the urge to uncover the next unsettling reveal are sure to keep audiences captivated. One of best new Australian films you will see this year!

“Andy Burkitt’s feature directorial debut is charming and unexpectedly quirky, blending absurdity with a darkly twisted plot that keeps audiences from looking away" - ACMI

|

27 FEATURES

"Entertaining just as much with its absurd high concept as with its madein-Melbourne bona fides, The Organist warps into an ever darker and more deeply twisted tale - MIFF

OFFICIAL SELECTION

REVELATION PERTH FILM FESTIVAL 2024

SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 9.50 PM

OFFICIAL SELECTION

BERINALE 2024

THE VISITOR > DIR. BRUCE LaBRUCE > 2024 | UK | 101 mins | COMEDY > NSW PREMIERE

AGES

18+

A queer low-budget romp set in contemporary London, paying explicit homage to Pier Paolo Pasolini’s sexually provocative last feature, Teorema.

In Bruce LaBruce's provocative reimagining, the enigmatic figure (Bishop Black) arrives in London, emerging mysteriously from a suitcase along the Thames. This visitor, a striking Black man dressed as a homeless individual, infiltrates an upper-class British family’s mansion, initially through their maid who passes him off as her nephew. What unfolds is a series of explicit

“A brilliant depraved family affair. The Visitor’s retelling makes the original positively tame by comparison.” - INDIEWIRE

|

encounters that disrupt the household, leading each member through a journey of sexual and spiritual awakening. LaBruce masterfully blends eroticism with a sharp critique of colonialism and racism, celebrating queer identities in a narrative that is both contemporary and provocative.

La Bruce, returning to SUFF after his film The Misandrists shocked audience in 2017, has earned acclaim with his latest film receiving nominations for the Panorama Audience Award for Feature Film and the Teddy Award for Best Feature Film at the 2024 Berlin International Film Festival.

28 FEATURES

“The Visitor is a love letter to Pasolini, penned with blood, sweat and semen.”

- THE FILM STAGE

OFFICIAL SELECTION

BRUSSELS INTERNATIONAL FANTASTIC FILM FESTIVAL 2024

FRIDAY | 13 SEPT | 4.50 PM SUNDAY | 15 SEPT | 11.15 AM

OFFICIAL SELECTION

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2024 OFFICIAL SELECTION

ATLANTA UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL 2024

CO-PRESENTED BY

SYDNEY SCIENCE FICTION FILM FESTIVAL

TIM TRAVERS & THE TIME TRAVELER’S PARADOX > DIR. STIMSON SNEAD > 2024 | USA | 103 mins | COMEDY / SCI-FI > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE It’s positively bonkers but it’s hilarious, weird, and witty Sci-Fi at its best!

Dive into the cosmic chaos of Tim Travers and the Time Traveller’s Paradox, where brilliant yet reclusive scientist Tim Travers creates a time machine with intentions of killing off his younger self. But when Tim tries to erase his past, he ends up multiplying himself into a chaotic tribe of Tims, each more absurd than the last. His paradoxical experiments lead to an explosive series of events—stealing plutonium back from a

“A clever, genre-bending romp that combines existential musings with outrageous humor. Tim Travers is an absolute blast!” - COLLIDER

mercenary gang, battling a conspiracy-spouting podcaster, creating a black hole, destroying the universe, making a new one and ultimately flirting with existential self-love.

With an all-star cast including Samuel Dunning, Felicia Day, Keith David, Joel McHale and Danny Trejo, this film is a rollercoaster of hilarity and mind-bending twists. Prepare for a wild ride through the impossible, where paradoxes are not just challenged but hilariously shattered in a cosmic dance of absurdity and brilliance.

“A dizzying whirlwind of wit and chaos — Tim Travers takes time travel to a whole new level of hilarity!”

|

29 FEATURES

- THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

OFFICIAL SELECTION

TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 2024

FRIDAY | 13 SEPT | 3.00 pm SUNDAY | 15 SEPT | 1.30 pm

OFFICIAL SELECTION

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2024

VULCANIZADORA > DIR. JOEL POTRYKUS > 2024 | USA | 84 mins | DRAMA > NSW PREMIERE

AGES

18+

Underground visionary Joel Potrykus returns with a mind-bending odyssey that plunges into the existential dread of middle age with grimly comedic humour.

The film follows Derek (Potrykus) and Marty (Joshua Burge, The Revenant), two aimless drifters entangled in legal trouble and estranged from their families. As they traverse the eerie Michigan woods on a mysterious mission, their true motives unravel, leading to surreal and shocking consequences.

"A dark, hilarious, and contemplative new vision … like the punk rock cousin of Kelly Reichardt’s Old Joy.” - THE FILM STAGE

Vulcanizadora marks Potrykus's return to SUFF since the unforgettable Relaxer (SUFF 2018) and inhabits the scuzzy, absurdist universe familiar to fans of Buzzard. Shot on gritty 16mm, the film features a ground-breaking soundtrack, merging the operatic grandeur of Maria Callas with the raw energy of Sepultura. With Potrykus and Burge delivering riveting performances, the film skilfully balances the bizarre with the emotionally profound. Prepare for a thought-provoking, genre-defying journey into mid-life terror.

“Nothing can really prepare viewers for where Vulcanizadora ends up going.”

|

30 FEATURES

- CARLA HAY, CULTURE MIX

OFFICIAL SELECTION

FANTASIA FILM FESTIVAL 2023

FRIDAY | 13 SEPT | 9.45 pm\

OFFICIAL SELECTION

OFFICIAL SELECTION

FANTASTIC FEST 2023

OFFICIAL SELECTION

SITGES 2023

BUCHEON 2024

WE ARE ZOMBIES

> DIR. RKSS > 2023 | CANADA | 80 mins | COMEDY/HORROR > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE We Are Zombies by RKSS (Roadkill Superstar), the talented team behind Turbo Kid and Summer of 84, offers a hilarious and gory twist on the zombie genre.

In a world where the undead, referred to as "livingimpaired," co-exist with humans, three slackers— Karl, Maggie, and Freddy—concoct a scheme to make easy money. Posing as collectors for a shady corporation, they snatch "retired" zombies to sell them off. But things go awry when their

scam is discovered, leading to their grandmother's kidnapping and a madcap adventure to rescue her from the corporation's sinister clutches. Packed with realistic gore, irreverent humour, and vibrant characters, We Are Zombies is a fresh, darkly comedic take on zombie mythology that promises plenty of laughs and blood-splattered thrills. This is a must-see for fans of quirky horror-comedy!

"Wickedly funny and bursting with creativity, this film is a breath of fresh air in the zombie genre."

- FANTASIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

|

31 FEATURES

"A gore-tastic, hilarious tale of the undead that will have you laughing and cheering through every splattery moment."

- NIGHTMARE ON FILM STREET

AGES

18+

SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 10.30 am - 12 NOON

LIVE

Including live performance by JILL WESTWARD

AN ENTANGLED POETIC ENCOUNTER

JILL WESTWOOD IN CONVERSATION WITH DR JACK SARGEANT Join us for a captivating retrospective of Dr. Jill Westwood's short films, featuring an introduction and Q&A with the filmmaker herself, hosted Dr. Jack Sargeant. Westwood, a trailblazer in industrial noise-performance with her band Fistfuck (81-84) and a prominent figure in art psychotherapy, has been a vital force

in exploring taboos and confronting personal notions of power and aggression. Her influential work spans collaborations with Christine Binnie, Alex Binnie, Antal Nemeth, and Val Denham, and she has made significant contributions to art

|

32 SPECIAL EVENTS

psychotherapy programs at Western Sydney University and Goldsmiths University, London.

Experience the profound and provocative journey through her films, including "Eye" (1988), "Skinheads and Roses" (1983), "Menstrual Cooking Blood Celebration" (1988), "I Saw Myself in Your Dreams Last Night" (2021), and the world premiere of "Raw Unknown" (2024), accompanied by a live performance. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to delve into Westwood's transformative artistry and insights.

SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm

AGES

18+

THE LOST SEX FILMS OF KINGS CROSS: THE FILMS OF CHARIS & GEORGE SCHWARZ

George Schwarz (1935-2021) was a Swiss born, Sydney based artist who together with his wife, Charis, produced Australia's first theatrical hardcore sex films. Beginning in 1970 with an 8mm short called The Dream, George and Charis made erotic short films which were originally screened at the Sydney Filmmakers Co-op and at select international film festivals. Their 1974 film, Sex Aids and How to Use Them pushed the boundaries of community standards and became the first hardcore sex film produced in Australia to be passed by the censors. Sex Aids screened nationwide, shocking

and titillating audiences, whilst their follow-up, Well, My Dear! (1975) was refused classification and has never screened until now. After this set-back and continual problems with funding these projects, Charis and George quit filmmaking to focus on photography and teaching.

Restored from their only existing film elements, the Schwarz productions selected for SUFF 2024 document a 'lost' era of Australian cinema and are a time capsule of bohemian Kings Cross featuring notorious locations such as the Barrel Theatre and Sandra Nelson's A.O. Club.

EXFILM IS PROUD TO CO-PRESENT THESE LOST FILMS

BY CHARIS & GEORGE SCHWARZ, REMASTERED.

THE DREAM

> DIR. GEORGE & CHARIS SCHWARZ > 1970 | 3.5 mins

STAGE

> DIR. GEORGE & CHARIS SCHWARZ > 1972 | 23 mins

Q&A

with Charis Schwarz and Leon O'Regan from EXFILM, hosted by Jaimie Leonarder.

|

SEX AIDS AND HOW TO USE THEM > DIR. GEORGE & CHARIS SCHWARZ > 1974 | 29 mins

33 SPECIAL EVENTS

WELL, MY DEAR! > DIR. GEORGE & CHARIS SCHWARZ > 1975 | 46 mins

SUNDAY | 15 SEPT | 4.30 pm

Championing the renegades and visionaries working at the vanguard of independent cinema, HOMEBAKED presents a collection of shorts from filmmakers who cross genres and defy conventions. These shorts will have you laughing, crying and right on the edge of your seat!

AI POLYMORPHISM > Dir. Aleks Wansbrough > 2024 | 1:22 | Experimental > WORLD PREMIERE

Using an AI filter called “Latex”, this work explores the relationship between AI, body modification, gender, and eroticism through a body horror aesthetic.

ARMSTRONG

> Dir. Dylan Hare > 2023 | 9:00 | Comedy A country bloke moves to Sydney with high hopes for a new life. We follow him through the course of 24-hours as he goes through a series of unfortunate events which ends with him being hospitalised and fighting for his life.

BIN DAY

> Dir. Ryan Neil Butler > 2023 | 8:00 | Comedy/Horror The sun is shining, the birds are singing and the zombie apocalypse has settled in nicely.

There's just one problem...one of the undead is in the yard. What's a pacifist to do?

BLOODY HELL

BUBBLEGUM

> Dir. Ryan Renshaw > 2024 | 3:00 | Dance > NSW PREMIERE Bubblegum follows the harrowing journey of Dennis, a struggling junkie with a penchant for self-destruction.

After a massive Saturday night bender, he stumbles home, the wreckage of his night etched in his choices of interior design.

CAT’S EYE

> Dir. Lena Albin > 2023 | 6:00 | Comedy > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

> Dir. Molly Moloney > 2023 | 10:27 | Drama > WORLD PREMIERE

Sam’s period arrives just moments before an important visitor knocks at her door. Her frantic attempt to get ready derails into a blood-soaked nightmare.

A woman visits a personal stretcher, only to have unexpected objects pulled out of her body. A near silent witness statement to the reopening of invisible wounds in an abstract pursuit of healing.

|

34 SHORTS

SUNDAY | 15 SEPT | 4.30 pm

I LIKE LONG WALKS ON PARRAMATTA ROAD

> Dir. Kate McGuiness > 2023 | 17:08 | Comedy

A depressed woman finds she can no longer endure life. In a desperate attempt to cure her malaise, she embarks on an expedition along Sydney’s oldest motorway.

MISFIRE

> Dir. Joshua Ian Calder > 2023 | 6:25 | Experimental > WORLD PREMIERE A man's routine car repair spirals into a surreal journey through his psyche, revealing his fractured self.

ROOM FOR ONE MORE THE OFFERING

> Dir. Jesse Vogelaar > 2023 | 6:54 | Comedy > NSW PREMIERE

> Dir. Will McLennan > 2024 | 12:34 | Comedy > NSW PREMIERE

When an entire house collapses on him, Alex realises he’s close to death. Will he use his final moments to reconnect with loved ones? Or will he go all-in on pitching his brilliant short film idea to old friend Bruno?

Ever felt small? Ever felt wronged? Ever known some wankers in HR? Come on a journey with Tim as he battles his corporate overlords. Bring something to clench.

SMOKO

THE REALTOR

> Dir. Steve Cooper and Adam Gunn > 2024 | 3:34 | Animation

> Dir. Adrian Eppel > 2023 | 2:00 | Western > NSW PREMIERE

Brandon, a millennial tradie, and Brenda, a boomer identifying ibis meet up on a park bench for their daily smoko where no topic is off limits.

The Realtor explores Melbourne’s rental crisis with a Western theme, using the ‘Bounty Hunter VS Outlaw’ motif in a dark comedy short film that reflects harsh realities.

|

35 SHORTS

AGES

18+

SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 6.30 pm

Exploring the dark side of obsession, lust and desire, LOVE/SICK presents a package of the year’s most shocking and salacious short films. From outof-control sex dolls to glory hole mishaps; witness a collection of shorts that range from the titillating to the downright obscene.

FULL MOON GLORY HOLE

BED FRAME

> Dir. Sam Dixon > 2023 | Australia | 11:34 | Comedy > WORLD PREMIERE

> Dir. Thom Newell > 2023 | USA | 5:27 | Comedy/Horror > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

When Lena is enlisted to buy her estranged father a bed frame, she discovers how his presence has impacted her relationships with men.

When Francis is beckoned to a glory hole in a dank gas station bathroom, he gets more than he bargained for. Perhaps he should have realized it was a Full Moon!

CHOKEBERRIES

> Dir. Ariel McCleese > 2024 | USA | 15:38 | Horror > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

LADY PARTS

> Dir. Kristoffer Lucia > 2024 | Australia | 9:41 > Comedy > WORLD PREMIERE In the aftermath of a bad breakup, two young lovers seek solace in sharing their raw and petty emotions with their closest friends.

|

Iris learned about wet dreams in health class, but when she dreams about Ellie she gets really, really wet. When her first hookup takes a deadly turn, she learns the truth: she’s dangerous. Now Iris must confront the unique contours of her sexuality before she drowns the girl of her dreams.

36 SHORTS

SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 6.30 pm

LIKE ME

> Dir. Ashley Lauren Thomas > 2024 | USA | 6:41 > Horror/Comedy > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE A young woman discovers the dangers of attempting to cut her own bangs.

SPECIAL DELIVERY

> Dir. Emily Everhard > 2023 | USA | 11:12 | Comedy > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE A foley artist for pornography falls in love with a porn star during an ADR session.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

> Dir. Shawn Hainsworth > 2023 | USA | 8:07 | Comedy > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

When a lonely man’s sex robot malfunctions in “dominance” mode, it leads to what might be the most awkward customer support call in history.

THE LOVERS

AGES

18+

TONGUE-TONGUIN’

> Dir. Phil Montgomery and Max Werkmeister > 2023 | USA | 6:46 > Comedy > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE "He’s not coming for you. You’re coming for him."

TONGUEVASION

> Dir. Carolina Sandvik > 2023 | Sweden | 12:58 > Animation > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

> Dir. Aleks Wansbrough > 2024 | Australia | 2:33 > Experimental > WORLD PREMIERE

Love can make you fall apart.

In this stop-motion romance, a couple is forced to deal with their physical and emotional transformations.

As aliens turn people into tongues, women rejoice but men… not so much. AI assisted, TongueVasion offers a tonguein-cheek (and tongue-in-otherplaces), trippy exploration of desire.

|

37 SHORTS

AGES

18+

FRIDAY | 13 SEPT | 4.00 pm

A collection of the year’s most eye-opening and fascinating bite-sized documentaries and comedies that traverse the personal to the global.

From verite, montage, mockumentary and found footage to experiments in animation, these shorts all push the boundaries of storytelling.

BEYOND FAILURE

> Dir. Marissa Losoya > 2024 | USA | 8:39 | Comedy > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE In avoidance of the nagging fear that she has spoiled her life’s potential, a woman begins obsessing over her ass.

BORN TO HUSTLE

> Dir. Grace Anna Cardona > 2024 | Australia | 26:07 | Documentary > WORLD PREMIERE Carve open the frenzied mind of Emma Addams and you’ll discover an unruly symphony of many different players. Jeweller, Artist, Entrepreneur, Born Hustler.

CLUB CHROME: FXCKERY

> Dir. Arundati Thandur > 2024 | Australia | 13:12 | Documentary > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE This film follows Club Chrome, Australia’s first LGBTQIA+ pole dance collective, in the months leading up to the Sydney World Pride premiere of their dynamic, high-production pole dance performance.

|

38 SHORTS

FRIDAY | 13 SEPT | 4.00 pm

AGES

18+

DIE SCHÖNE TOTE (THE BEAUTIFUL DEAD WOMAN)

> Dir. Jan Soldat > 2024 | Germany/Austria | 6:44 | Documentary > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE Out of 300 episodes of the German TV-series "Ein Fall für zwei (A Case for two)", the short film "Beautiful Dead Woman" re-arranges female death stagings.

GRAIN OF TRUTH

> Dir. Marcus Gale > 2023 | Australia | 14:10 | Mockumentary > SYDNEY PREMIERE Since the 1980s, Frances Wright has filmed mysterious orbs of light flying over the Blue Mountains. Her extraordinary Super 8 footage and newly discovered video recordings are now revealed.

HAMMER OF THE WITCHES

> Dir. Ruth Lingford & Anna Makarova > 2024 | USA/Germany | 3:26 | Doco/Animation > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE Looks at the history of witch persecution in Europe, unleashed and accelerated by the book Malleus Maleficarum, or Hammer of the Witches, printed in 1486 and to become the best-selling book ink Europe after the Bible.

THE SHAVER MYSTERY

> Dir. Dean Bertram > 2024 | USA/Australia | 13:59 | Documentary > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE Was Richard Shaver really tormented by a malevolent underground race of hideous humanoids, known as the “Dero”? His “true” stories – known collectively as “The Shaver Mystery” - were the most controversial sci-fi tales of the 20th century.

|

39 SHORTS

AGES

18+

FRIDAY | 13 SEPT | 6.00 pm

Confounding, flabbergasting and discombobulating - WTF! Presents a package of shorts not for the faint of heart. A cinematic adventure through the year's most madcap films, take a hallucinatory trip down the rabbit-hole so brainbustlingly weird you’ll come out the other side asking…WTF did I just see?

APOTEMNOFILIA

> Dir. Jano Pita > 2023 | Spain | 9:45 | Horror > NSW PREMIERE It is opening night, the theatre is crowded and Clara, the leading actress, refuses to leave her dressing room. Something inside her is keeping her from leaving.

BACK SLAP

> Dir. Eric Hutton > 2023 | Australia | 4:34 > Comedy > SYDNEY PREMIERE After weeks of being subtly alpha-dogged by a senior employee, a lowly office worker takes matters into his own hands!

BARBAGEDDON

BABY YOGA

> Dir. Megan Chumbley > 2023 | USA | 7:27 | Comedy > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE A group pregnant yogis must work together after a random guy gives birth to a demon baby in their prenatal yoga class.

> Dir. Aleks Wansbrough > 2024 | Australia | 1:55 > Experimental > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE Using stock-footage of explosions processed through AI filters, Barbageddon ironically comments on "Barbenheimer" by transforming scenes of annihilation into whimsical "Barbie-esque" flowers and puffy clouds.

|

40 SHORTS

DEEP TISH

> Dir. Dave Paige > 2024 | USA | 12:38 | Comedy > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE A.J.'s massage could have been better.

DO NOT FEED THE PIGEONS

> Dir. Zahm Walters > 2024 | USA | 3:15 > Experimental > WORLD PREMIERE

An orgiastic mutant monster postmodern pop art pigeonfuelled horror apocalypse!!!

FRIDAY | 13 SEPT | 6.00 pm

I NEED IT YESTERDAY

> Dir. Chris W. Smith & Jack De Sena > 2024 | USA | 11:00 > Comedy/Sci-Fi > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE A boss tells two employees that he needs the client report and he "needs it yesterday".

What follows is a trip down the rabbit hole into theoretical time travel to try and literally send the message back in time.

THE RAINBOW BRIDGE

> Dir. Dimitri Simakis > 2023 | USA | 12:43 | Comedy > NSW PREMIERE Tina and her elderly dog visit a mysterious clinic offering humanto-pet communication. Two sinister doctors uncover an otherworldly bond between them that transcends time and space. They might be the key to something greater... but at what cost?

AGES

18+

WE JOINED A CULT > Dir. Chris McInroy > 2023 | USA | 4:30 > Comedy/Horror > NSW PREMIERE

The story of two friends who just wanted to play kickball.

YUMMO SPOT KOMBUCHA!

> Dir. Jake Myers > 2023 | USA | 7:01 | Horror > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE A disillusioned office drone reluctantly tries the kombucha that gives his coworkers superhuman focus, but he quickly discovers some grotesque side effects.

THE WARMEST COLOR IS BLUE

> Dir. Kevin Ralston > 2023 | USA | 5:53 | Comedy > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE Rebecca comes home from work one day to find her TV is missing. Detective JW Bond arrives on the scene to find out what happened to Rebecca’s TV. Together, they find more than what they bargained for.

|

41 SHORTS

> Dir. Ashley Brandon > 2024 | USA | 8:25 > Comedy > AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE Corny lovebirds move to the sticks and experience big, wild, American love.

TAKE48 RETURNS FOR ITS 6TH YEAR! TAKE48 is a filmmaking challenge that dares you to battle against the clock, creating a film from start to finish over an intense and exciting 48 hours!

To spice things up, all films must include the mystery item and line of dialogue, which is revealed as the challenge begins. Additionally, each film this year will have to include a specific camera shot, which will also be revealed as the challenge begins.

Interstate and international participation is welcome through our online portals, so you don't have to be in Sydney to participate (Just make sure to account for any time zone differences!)

REGISTER BEFORE THURSDAY 22 AUGUST 2024

If you'd like to join us, head to www.take48.com.au to find out more.

Registration closes midnight Thursday 22 August.

The challenge will run from 7pm Friday 23 August to 7pm sharp Sunday 25 August (AEST time zone). All films must be a maximum of 3 minutes including credits.

SCREENING PRIZES

SATURDAY | 14 SEPT | 3.00 pm All completed films have the chance to screen at Dendy Cinema, Newtown as part of The Sydney Underground Film Festival.

We have over $10k in prizes up for grabs for this year’s TAKE48 winners. Check them out in more detail at take48.com.au/2024

WIN PRIZES VALUED AT $10,000

FRIDAY | 14 SEPT | 6.00 pm

PANEL: SUPPORTING AUSTRALIAN FILMS AT FILM FESTIVALS AND BEYOND Film critic Andrew F. Peirce will be launching his new book

Lonely Spirits and The King: An Australian Film Book and will be joined by Film Director Platon Theodoris and Writer/Programmer Jack Sargeant for a special panel where they will discuss the importance of supporting Australian Films at film festivals and beyond.

WHEN: DRINKS: PANEL: VENUE:

Friday 13 September 6 - 6:30pm 6:30 - 7:30pm Upstairs at

BETTER READ THAN DEAD

TICKETS: $5 (inc. food and drink)

or $40 for entry and book Limited spaces, book now at: www.betterreadevents.com/events Or scan the QR code below:

265 King St, Newtown

|

44 SPECIAL EVENTS

CRUMPLER.COM

SUB3000 IS A HOMAGE TO MELBOURNE AND ITS PEOPLE

Festival Director

NATHAN SENN

Festival Manager

KATHERINE BERGER

Programmers

NATHAN SENN KATHERINE BERGER STEFAN POPESCU

Graphic Designer

LIZ BERGER

TAKE48 Director

CHRIS DAVID

Social Media

KATIE LOUGHRAN

Volunteer Coordinator

STEPHANIE GAL

Social Media

KATIE LOUGHRAN

Programming Consultants

CELIA POUZET JACK SARGEANT

Festival MC

JAY KATZ

SUFF Patrons

DEB & IAN

2024 Key Artist

ALEY WILD

"Thank you to our board members, volunteers, partners, patrons and all our wonderful ACF supporters for 2024"

Aisha Herbert, Alexandra Fredricks, Alexei Toliopoulos, Aley Wild, Amiel-Courtin Wilson, Amy Beecroft, Andrew F. Peirce, Andrew Leavold, Andrew Perkin, Andy Burkitt, Aspasia Leonarder, Belinda Dyer, Ben Mitchell, Bruce Griffiths, Bryn Tilly, Caden Douglas, Carl Fry, Carlos Cardenas, Charlotte Mirzaei, Christina Mishell, Christine Abernathy, Daniel Abelow, Daryosh Karimi, Dave Roper, Dean Betram, Elisa Hernández, Ella Pham, Ellyn Ponet, Eric B. Fleischman, Eric Laplante, Everyone at Wayward Brewery, Georgie Zuzak, Giles Edwards, Greg Dolgopolov, Greg Ferris, Grégoire Graesslin, Irène Cadavid, Jack Braddy, Jaimie Leonarder, Jas Brooks, Jill Westwood, Joel Potrykus, Jorge Blanch, Josh McEvoy, Kate Fitzpatrick, Kathy Susca, Kelly Rogers, Kiliane Beunard, Kristian Mather, Lauren Barrett, Lila Langlois-Mouton, Luis Renart, Marc Collister, Marc Nauleau, Matt Grady, Matt Holland, Matthew Barlocker & Bailey Gay and the team at Digital Pigeon, Matthew Sherbon, Maxwell Nalevansky, Maynard, Mel Atherton and the team at Blackmagic Design, Michael Firmani, Michael Lombardo, Miro Ertel and team RENTaCAM, Mitzi Peirone, Morgan Magid, Mya Soul, Nathan Tape, Paris Pompor, Peggy Hills, Peter Jarowey, Peter Young, Platon Theodoris, Richard Kuipers, Sam Grey, Saara Lamberg, Sean Radecki, Selin Karli, Shaki Prasanna, James Weatherby and the team at Atomos, Stephen Braun, Susie Moon, Tammy Burnstock, The Bergers, The Carters, Tulah Baker.

CINEMA

PRODUCTION

MAJOR

EDUCATIONAL

VENUE

PUBLICITY

HOSPITALITY PARTNERS

SCREENING PARTNERS