Four Australian Titles selected for Sundance Film Festival 2025
Four Australian projects have been selected for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival which will take place in Utah, USA from 23 January – 2 February 2025.
Stranger, Brother
Two features supported by Screen Australia will make their world premieres; JIMPA directed by Sophie Hyde and starring Olivia Colman and John Lithgow, and Together, a horror-thriller by writer/director Michael Shanks, which will screen in the Midnight Section. Additionally, the Screen Australia-supported documentary Never Get Busted! about a decorated Texas narcotics officer turned whistleblower, has been selected for the Episodic Pilot Showcase where it will have its world premiere. The short film Stranger, Brother will make its world premiere in the International Shorts Section.
Screen Australia COO Grainne Brunsdon said, “The Australian titles selected for Sundance are a testament to the talent and vision behind each of the films, and we are incredibly proud to see our stories recognised at such a prestigious festival. This achievement reflects the dedication and strength of Australian filmmakers in bringing diverse, compelling narratives to international audiences.”
JIMPA is a heart-warming family drama about a mother, Hannah (Olivia Colman), who takes her nonbinary teenager, Frances (Aud Mason-Hyde) to Amsterdam to visit their gay grandfather, Jim (John Lithgow) – lovingly known as Jimpa. But Frances’ desire to stay abroad with Jimpa for a year forces Hannah to reconsider her beliefs about parenting and finally confront old stories about the past. From writer/director/producer Sophie Hyde (Good Luck to You, Leo Grande), writer Matthew Cormack and producers Liam Heyen, Marleen Slot and Bryan Mason.
In Together, years into their relationship, Tim and Millie (Dave Franco and Alison Brie) find themselves at a crossroads as they move to the country, abandoning all that is familiar in their lives except each other. With tensions already flaring, a nightmarish encounter with a mysterious, unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love and their flesh. Michael Shanks (Rebooted, The Wizards of Aus) directs, with Brie and Franco also serving as producers alongside Mike Cowap, Andrew Mittman, Erik Feig, Max Silva, Julia Hammer and Tim Headington.
In addition, Never Get Busted!, documentary following Barry Cooper, a decorated Texas narcotics officer who exposes corruption within the police force and helps addicts avoid arrest. The documentary is created by David Anthony Ngo & Erin Williams-Weir, produced by Erin Williams-Weir, Daniel Joyce & David Anthony Ngo and executive produced by John Battsek & Chris Smith.
In Short Film Stranger, Brother, self-absorbed and lonely millennial Adam wakes one morning to find his estranged half-brother on his doorstep. Adam must then face the family he’s been running away from. From writer/director Annelise Hickey and producers Tessa Mansfield-Hung and Josie Baynes and stars Tiaki Teremoana, Samson Uili, Charly Thorn and Patrick Livesey.
These four projects, while telling diverse and globally appealing stories, are led by Australian filmmakers whose distinctive voices and creative vision elevate the country’s reputation on the international stage.
Australian Projects at Sundance Film Festival 2025:
JIMPA
Screening Section Premieres
Closer Films Pty Ltd
Genre Comedy, Drama
Director Sophie Hyde
Writers Sophie Hyde, Matthew Cormack
Producers Liam Heyen, Marleen Slot, Sophie Hyde, Bryan Mason
Co-Producer Cyna Strachan
Australian Distributor Kismet, The Unquiet Collective
International Sales Protagonist Pictures, CAA
Synopsis Hannah takes her nonbinary teenager, Frances, to Amsterdam to visit their gay grandfather, Jim – lovingly known as Jimpa. But Frances’ desire to stay abroad with Jimpa for a year forces Hannah to reconsider her beliefs about parenting and finally confront old stories about the past.
Production credit Major production investment from Screen Australia and Align with the support of Netherlands Film Fund and the Netherlands Film Production Incentive. Financed in association with The Finnish Impact Film Fund, Aurora Studios, Cinéart, The South Australian Film Corporation, Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund and Mind The Gap Film Finance. Further financing provided by Kojo, Closer Films and Mad Ones Films. ANZ distribution by Kismet and The Unquiet Collective, and Cinéart is distributing in the Benelux region. International sales by Protagonist Pictures and CAA for North America. Developed with assistance of Screen Australia and the South Australian Film Corporation.
Media contact [email protected]
TOGETHER
Screening Section Midnight
Princess Pictures Holdings Pty Ltd
Genre Horror
Writer/Director Michael Shanks
Producers Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Mike Cowap, Andrew Mittman, Erik Feig, Max Silva, Julia Hammer and Tim Headington
Executive Producers Micah Green, Daniel Steinman, Sarah Hong, Emma Fitzsimmons, Laura Waters, Kai Dolbashian, Samie Kim Falvey, Lia Buman, Neil Shah
Australian Distributor Kismet
International Sales WME
Synopsis Years into their relationship, Tim and Millie (Dave Franco and Alison Brie) find themselves at a crossroads as they move to the country, abandoning all that is familiar in their lives except each other. With tensions already flaring, a nightmarish encounter with a mysterious, unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love and their flesh.
Media contact [email protected]
NEVER GET BUSTED!
Screening Section Episodic Pilot Showcase
Projector Films Pty Ltd
Creators David Anthony Ngo, Erin Williams-Weir
Producers Erin Williams-Weir, Daniel Joyce, David Anthony Ngo, Louise Schultze
Executive Producers John Battsek, Chris Smith
Australian Distributor Pinnacle Films
Synopsis Barry Cooper was one of Texas' top narcotics officers, that is until he turned against the police force: exposing crooked cops, helping addicts evade arrest and picking a one man fight with the War on Drugs.
Production credit A Projector Films production, with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Ventureland, Library Films, Australian Production House, Pinnacle Films and The South Australian Film Corporation.
Media contact [email protected]
STRANGER, BROTHER
Screening Section International Shorts
Wildebeest Films
Genre Drama
Writer/Director Annelise Hickey
Producers Tessa Mansfield-Hung, Josie Baynes
Synopsis When Adam, a self-absorbed and lonely millennial, wakes one morning to find his estranged half-brother on his doorstep, he must face the family he’s been running away from.
Media contact [email protected]