The coming year promises a diverse and compelling slate from Australian filmmakers, featuring everything from high-profile international collaborations to daring directorial debuts. Here are ten productions slated for release that are generating significant anticipation.
The Deb – Arriving in cinemas on January 15, this project marks the directorial debut of Rebel Wilson, who also co-stars. Adapted from a popular stage musical, the story is a comedic and heartfelt look at the high-stakes world of a school formal, following an optimistic farm girl and her more cynical cousin.
Tasmanian Dead – Premiering February 5, this horror film from director Zak Hilditch imagines a catastrophic event off the Australian coast that triggers a widespread outbreak. The narrative follows an American woman, played by Daisy Ridley, who travels to Tasmania on a grim personal mission amidst the chaos. Early festival screenings have praised its intense atmosphere and striking visuals.
Jim & Hannah – Landing on February 19, this drama from acclaimed director Sophie Hyde features John Lithgow and Olivia Colman as a father and daughter navigating a fraught reunion. The personal project, inspired by the filmmaker’s own experiences, explores family dynamics and legacy across generations.
Norgay – Documentary specialist Jennifer Peedom makes her narrative feature debut with this biopic of Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa mountaineer who made history on Everest. The film stars Genden Phuntsok as Norgay, with Tom Hiddleston portraying his climbing partner, Edmund Hillary.
Sparrow – This darkly comedic hybrid film marks the directorial debut of actor Christian Byers. Shot over eight years in a Sydney funeral home, it follows a fictionalised employee’s surreal and unravelling experiences in the death industry, presented with a distinctively gritty aesthetic.
Crowded House: This Way Up – Veteran filmmaker Richard Lowenstein turns his documentary lens to one of Australasia’s most beloved rock bands, promising an in-depth look at their enduring legacy and music.
Strip – Russell Crowe headlines this co-production as a strip club owner pushed to the brink by a series of robberies. The film, an adaptation of a novel, charts his brutal path to retribution.
The Asylum Tapes – This documentary offers a wry, behind-the-scenes look at the world of low-budget genre filmmaking. Director Andrew Firth embeds with a notorious production company, capturing the absurd and often disarmingly honest process of creating so-called “mockbusters.”
The Fox – From the creator of cult series Danger 5, this quirky comedy stars Jai Courtney as a jilted hunter who receives life guidance from a talking fox. The film promises a surreal adventure filled with eccentric characters and magical realism.
Untitled Indigenous Horror Project – Details remain under wraps for this upcoming horror film led by South Australian First Nations filmmakers. The plot involves a woman and a child trapped in a terrifying situation, forcing an impossible choice. The project is a significant and welcome addition to the genre.