Doc.Sydney Documentary Film Festival
In a world where “truth” is carefully curated, filtered, and viewed through the lens of social media, often the only difference between truth and fiction lies in the perspective through which one views the world.
Documentary films offer a fascinating peephole into a particular reality, at a certain time of a certain person's life. Whether in the form of an expository, a poem, an essay, an observational piece, whether it's dramatised, animated, or based on interviews, documentary films all have a message to send.
How can we make a difference in the world?
Documentary films are not just an avenue through which we can observe real life; they also serve to inform, educate, and critique. They are valuable creations in a day and age where media is increasingly curated and so much more homogenous.
That is why Doc.Sydney welcomes all of the above forms of documentary film-making, and even more so, those that transcend boundaries to move fluidly between one and more styles.
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Prophet Town (United States) by Dan Howlett
This documentary follows the extraordinary political awakening of Hildale, Utah, a town long dominated by the imprisoned fundamentalist prophet Warren Jeffs, whose influence continues to shape every aspect of life through religious control, land ownership, and fear. At the heart of the film is Do...
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Let it Dance (Australia) by Carolyn Corkindale
Born of a poor family in Paris, Guy Detot transforms himself through passion and luck into an international ballet dancer, dancing with Pina Bausch in The Rite of Spring. Guy moves to Australia for love and originates work with Australian Dance Theatre, before being aged out of ballet and embarki...
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Baq'a The Open Valley (Canada) by Youssef Mutawe
While struggling to understand his place as a second generation Jordanian–born Palestinian, Abood's uncle returns from Canada with stories of his youth as a refugee following the Naksa. Soon after, and with his uncle's stories fresh in his mind, Abood finds himself lost in the streets of Amman, w...
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Lucky (Australia) by Anna McGahan
An observational documentary filmed over one day, following two children who find a four leaf clover in the park.
An intimate portrait of gender, neurodivergence and the healing of imaginative play.
Running time: 00:14:53 -
I've Been Told I Saved A Life (Australia) by Jonathon Shannon, Bodhi Watts
For many critically ill blood cancer patients, a stem cell donation from a complete stranger is their only hope. I'VE BEEN TOLD I SAVED A LIFE follows the journey of Bodhi, one of the thousands of donors on the Stem Cell Donors Australia registry, as he experiences the highs and lows of donation....
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Holding On (United Kingdom) by Emma Croft
Holding on tight, learning to let go. Through intimate diary footage filmed over a period of 10 years a single mother records her son’s transition into manhood whilst struggling to keep a connection with him through his love of skateboarding. The result is a raw and uniquely powerful portrait of ...
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KIN - Dudi & Jojo (Australia) by Tumeli Tuqota
This film sees iTaukei Fijian-Australian vocalists and twin sisters Ruci (Dudi) Kaisila and Joanne (Jojo) Kaisila debut as writers and filmmakers, exploring their deeply personal insights into Fiji, its culture, the diaspora and their lives as burgeoning cultural custodians and singers in a Gospe...
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Four Wide (Australia) by Jeremy Hammer
Four Wide is a documentary series that provides unprecedented access to Dan Golding Racing as it strives to reach the pinnacle of success in Sprintcar racing. In episode one, the team prepares for its maiden full-time campaign while newly-appointed driver Kaiden Manders makes his intentions clear...
