Discoveries from Australia World Cinema

A barber welcomes a most unusual customer. The Haircut is a tale about vanity, delusion, and how the customer is always right.

Vincent suffers from a rare skin condition, where the slightest touch leaves him blistered and scarred. His mother Anna lives in constant fear of him - afraid of the harm she may cause by holding her own son's hand. When a ghost from the past tries to make contact, Anna must face her fears and find a way to connect with her son.

The once-every-five-years Australian Census is upon us (Census night is August 9, 2011). Which means the vexed 'What is your religion?' question will raise its head. This, in turn means thousands of pranksters will write down Jedi, Matrixist or Metal Head. Over the years John Safran has heard claims that far from being a joke, young people were combining spirituality with popular culture. Safran wants to hunt down these spiritual innovators. "I thought I'd potter off around the world and try to find people who sincerely and unsarcastically synchronise spirituality with popular culture. Is it good, is it trivialising, is it even spiritually dangerous?"

Follows three souls across Edo-period Japan, 1865 New South Wales and 2027 Australia, where each lifetime carries the emotional imprint of the last.

The God Squad is an elite unit of detective deities who are responsible for solving crimes that involve any of the fallen gods.

Nestled along the Great Eastern Highway in regional Western Australia stands The Big Camera — a museum housed inside a building shaped like a giant camera. What many mistake for a novelty roadside attraction is, in fact, one of the most significant private photography collections in the Southern Hemisphere. This short documentary explores the life and legacy of The Big Camera Museum of Photography and its founder, Charles “Chic” Wadley, whose lifelong passion for capturing and preserving photographic history has created a one-of-a-kind cultural landmark. Through personal interviews, archival imagery, cinematic visuals, and historical context, the film uncovers how this extraordinary museum came to exist, why it remains vital to regional heritage, and what it tells us about photography’s power to document human experience.

After a chance encounter with a glamorous female, two polar-opposite brothers are willing to do whatever it takes, to win her over.

Recovering from a broken leg, a romance-obsessed loner finds herself swept up in a passionate long-distance love affair. Richard is perfect in every way, except that he may be a scammer.

Charts the story of the rise of the Wiggles, Anthony Field (Blue Wiggle), Greg Page (Yellow Wiggle), Murray Cook (Red Wiggle), Jeff Fatt (Purple Wiggle) and Paul Field (General Manager) from their beginnings in the band The Cockroaches to their Wiggles superstar / enterprise status taking their successful formula to the children of Asia, the USA and Europe.

A live launch from ABC’s Studio 22 in Ultimo. Short Stack, Cassie Davis, ABC3 presenters, CJ the DJ, dancers from Dance Academy, BMX and motor bike tricks will entertain invited guests.

In order to preserve Latvian traditions in Australia, it is necessary to want to live with them on a daily basis. This film preserves the memory of the rich traditions of the Australian Latvian Arts Festival and delves into the complexities of what it means to be an Australian Latvian.

When a hotshot public servant is sent to a remote Aboriginal community to prepare for the Prime Minister’s visit, he quickly learns the true meaning of Welcome to Country.

Seven children live with their tyrannical father, Captain McCallum, and step mother Esther. The children can never make their father happy.

'Five Star Frank', is a dark-comedy short film. Pedantic driving instructor, Frank, is approached by Gordon, a Drive School Name Regulator, who threatens to change Franks's business name after his most recent student, Sophie, failed her probationary licence test. Dedicated to his work and safety on the roads, Frank must prove he is worthy of maintaining his reputation and self-proclaimed status.

Enter the world of Australia’s largest remaining cool temperate rainforest: Tasmania’s Tarkine. Delve into the wild windswept beaches, extensive buttongrass plains and pristine wild rivers. This VR experience will take your breath away.

This short documentary showcases three Australian music acts—Wendy Saddington and Teardrop, the Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, and the Indelible Murtceps—each performing live as examples of distinct directions in the country’s early 1970s pop scene.

A child, abandoned with only a violin, grows up to become an accomplished musician and brings about the reunion of her parents, a hunchbacked conductor and a singer who used to be blind.

Sofia a 18 year-old girl finds herself in a situation that leaves her dazed and confused. She has taken something, and ended up in what seems like planet Earth, but apparently is not. On her journey she is met with a majestical being, an angel that is set to help them through the memories of her past. Although, she soon finds out the truth of this world, and where she is heading to. Sofia is on her own to find her way out, and remember the painful memories of her impulsive choices.

Valerie has broken up with the love of her life. She begins a new existence of having to adapt to a single life and is not coping well. To help ease the pain, she has a string of one-night stands, indulges in drugs and self-mutilation.

Jess has to come up with $800 or lose her house. A flat tyre leaves Joan stranded in the middle of nowhere. Matt needs a job. All these stories are brought together as what goes around comes around and they impact each other in a way they couldn't imagine.

Romance romance

Stranded on a remote desert highway, a young couple soon discover they are not alone.

The first documentary about Australian trans lives. Given only a limited release in 1983, it has rarely been shown since. Filmed in Sydney in 1981, the film unusually seeks to provide a voice for trans women and men of the time, in contrast with the sensational viewpoints that were a feature of most reportage of the period. Man into Woman features eight interviews with trans women and men, interspersed with the views of ‘authority’ represented by figures like the then Attorney-General of NSW Frank Walker. The film was a turning point in the Australian media for understanding the complexity and diversity of the trans experience.

Nearly Really Me follows the story of Karla, a 35 year old professional who knows her life is fine, and yet feels that fine isn't good enough, she wants to feel alive. Trouble is, she has no real idea how to go about it. So she outsources her existential crisis to an internationally respected medium for direction and soon finds herself embarking on a trip to Vietnam for their 5 day spiritual conference, where participants gain knowledge, wisdom and insights delivered unlike any other in the world.

A collaboration between Soda_Jerk and The Avalanches.

Titsiana works at a suburban supermarket and is ridiculed by her fellow 'Check-out' girls for her slightly hirsute upper lip. She finds a new confidence and acceptance when she discovers a hair removal treatment.

Primary school aged Orville has a fascination for model planes which intensifies when he encounters Harry who owns a sadly neglected but real Tiger Moth. Orville becomes obsessed with the notion that the Tiger might fly once more and the adventure begins when he and Harry set out to achieve that goal.

Damien returns to the water to re-kindle memories of his late father and him surfing as a boy. Past and present begin to blend in parallels under the water and Damien's mortality is further threatened by a stalking siren.

An unforgettable hour packed with dazzling musical numbers, surprise guest appearances, Tabitha’s world-famous "Formal Apology of the Week," the much-loved “Orphan” segment, Melbourne alt-comedy crossovers, and all the late-night show classics you adore. It’s a night filled with laughter, love, and more than a few breakdowns as Tabitha faces her final curtain call in the most chaotically spectacular way possible.

Nina Mitchell has spent her entire life living in the shadow of her parents' constant criticism and expectations. A few months after turning 18, she makes a bold and life-altering decision; she will leave her home and country in order to pursue her dreams and find the happiness she's always yearned for even when her parents will say anything in their power to stop her from doing so.

man gets hired to steal a valuable item but does not know what it is

A fascinating exploration of contemporary China through the pre-wedding photography industry – a billion-dollar fantasy world.

Mickey Mouse attempts to conquer the world with a mysterious mineral while Bluescal must stop him.

In a heartfelt night of vulnerability and laughter, two mismatched young women navigate through 'The 36 Questions That Lead to Love' experiment, where they must engage in an intimate four-minute gaze of uninterrupted eye contact, challenging their perceptions of connection and the possibility of falling in love.

Come aboard transport ship CF 80622 en route to Earth 2.0 and witness one maintenance robot's attempt to evade loneliness.

Following a troubled history with organised crime, a helpless young man is forced into doing one final job.

A visual poem dedicated to the families of the 3,500 homes lost in the 2019/2020 Australian bushfire season. In contrast to the widespread media coverage this natural disaster received, this is a reflective and topical piece, an interesting firsthand account of a tragic event depicted through wonderfully detailed imagery of almost total devastation.

The Somerton Man mystery has baffled a global audience for over 70 years. A dead body found on Adelaide's Somerton Beach has never been identified. Now a new documentary, including interviews with friends, witnesses and detectives who worked on the case, some now in their 100's, reveals a fascinating first hand view of this extraordinary, enduring mystery. Was he murdered? Did he commit suicide? Why did he have a tiny piece of paper in his pocket with the words "Tamam Shud"? Missing Pieces examines the case in detail and cast new light on the woman he came to visit.

A reformed thief (Douglas Stuart) marries a wealthy socialite but is tormented by a former accomplice who tries to frame him for murder.

Facing off in their fifth season decider in five years this was supposed to be Collingwood's moment of redemption but a close-knit Carlton outfit had no plans to end the Grand Final losing streak of their oldest and most hated foe.

Acclaimed Australian journalist Ray Martin and remarkable Australians return to the epicentre of the tragedy, uncovering incredible stories of hope and resilience.

Following the passing of Rod Roberts, renowned host of the tacky paranormal reality show 'The Ghost Hunter', his estranged daughter Bec struggles to find the means to grieve, blinded by her cynicism towards his career.

A film collaboration between Quenten Agius (Aboriginal storyteller) and Kim Mavromatis (mixed media producer). Filmed on Ngadjuri country, Mid North and Southern Flinders Ranges region of South Australia. The film incorporates 10 years of archival material, shot with 8 different cameras, including 3 drones and a mobile phone camera.

A delivery driver seeks revenge after an unfortunate series of events.

Sammy is a teenager with disenfranchised violent men all around him. Kate watches Sammy from across the hall of their commission flats. This is the story of their inevitable demise. Based on the creator child abuse and funded through screen Australia diversity fund.

A robot named Darwin is sent on a journey, to explore the universe in the hopes of discovering a new home for the human race. On his mission he uncovers the wonder and beauty of space, and his own humanity.

Dot’s latest romp takes her literally out of this world when she decides to rescue Whyka, the Russian space dog, who is circling the earth trapped in a broken down satellite. Trading places with Buster, the space monkey, Dot boards an American rocket and is launched into orbit. She manages to save Whyka, but then crash lands on the fantastic planet Pie-Arr-Squared, where everything is round. Among many adventures there, Dot is thrown into a prison for ‘squaries’. Of course she manages to escape and with the help of some new friends, she returns to earth to a hero’s welcome.

This SBS documentary tells the story of the Socceroos historic 2006 FIFA World Cup campaign as told by the players themselves, including Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Jason Culina and Lucas Neill. It features extensive interviews with the squad, and never before seen behind the scenes vision.

Mutant creatures, born into a world they've never seen, explore it.

Some 240,000 women over 55 are at risk of homelessness In Australia – a figure both surprising (owing to this demographic being less likely to speak up about their difficulties) and shocking, given this country’s wealth. Under Cover introduces us to 10 of these people, including a survivor of domestic violence, a former advertising executive, a self-confessed loner and a displaced immigrant, for whom security and shelter are constant unknowns and who, until now, have suffered in silence.

Wide Open Sky follows the heart-warming story of an outback Australian children's choir. Chronicling their journey from auditions to end-of-year concert, the trials of trying to run a children's choir in a remote and disadvantaged region are revealed. Here, sport is king and music education is non-existent. Despite this, choir mistress Michelle has high expectations. She wants to teach the children contemporary, original, demanding music. It becomes clear for the children to believe in themselves, they all need someone who believes in them. Set against a landscape of devastating beauty, Wide Open Sky is a moving portrait of the fragile world of possibility that is childhood and reminds us why no child, anywhere, should grow up without music.

Shot on a $0.00 budget... 'Workin' Nights' follows one detrimental night in the life of post-war contract killer: Chuck Ramsay, and his search for normality.

Tony goes out for a few drinks when his lover, Steve goes on a business trip. Feeling lonely, he is picked up by another young man and they have semi-public sex only to be interrupted by gay-bashers. Although Tony is really hurt, he is more worried about how he'll explain this to Steve.

Fragments of time quietly slipping away. Nothing is preserved, only noticed.

When faced with the chance to be taken away from your lugubrious state towards an alluring otherworld of opportunity and community, you can't help but run towards that dream. However, when that dream transforms into disturbing distrust, a nobler future entails the pursuit of self-determination.

Set against the backdrop of the Three Kings holiday in Barcelona, Baltasar depicts a Senegalese man’s diligent attempts to make ends meet in a new land – and how swiftly it can all be taken away.

The allure of pleasant weather, a carefree lifestyle and better job prospects in Queensland appeal to Doug, a downtrodden factory worker from Melbourne.

A grieving lover embarks on a dark journey through memory, a lonely cleaner develops an unhealthy fixation on her boss, and a young couple find themselves caught between a dangerous demonic entity and a fanatically religious mother. See your fears and desires reflected in this female-focused collection of strange and twisted tales.

Adelaide Bell, a downtrodden seven-year-old, must harness her inner strength to save a turtle from his fate as turtle soup.