Three WA documentary projects premiering at Sydney Film Festival
Please note: this article contains references to suicide
Screenwest is pleased to announce that three WA documentary projects – Keeping Hope, Babanil and Mad About Maggots – are set to make their world premieres at Sydney Film Festival 2023, which kicked off its 70th festival.
Joined Up Films’ Keeping Hope is presented and co-produced by proud Nyikina actor Mark Coles Smith (Mystery Road: Origin, Sweet As), who grew up in the Kimberley. Mark returns to the region to interrogate the alarming suicide rates there and meets remarkable people, directly affected by suicide, who are now making a real difference in its prevention.
Keeping Hope is directed and field directed by Tyson Mowarin (Red Dirt Riders, Thalu), produced and field directed by Darren Hutchinson, and executive produced by Jacqueline Willinge and Dan Brown. The one-hour documentary is set to premiere on NITV later this year as part of the programming for World Suicide Prevention Day.
“We are delighted that Keeping Hope will be premiering at the Sydney Film Festival so there can be more awareness of an issue that is of national importance. We were very fortunate to work with Mark and Tyson again and hope the positive grass roots work featured in the film leads to more resources and initiatives that support young indigenous people in the Kimberley.” said Jacqueline Willinge, Keeping Hope Executive Producer.
Supported through ABC Factual and Doc Society’s Your Planet: Climate & Environment initiative, short documentaries Babanil and Mad About Maggots are two of ten short Australian documentaries nationwide to screen at the festival, with each project designed to showcase people and communities creating solutions to some of the greatest challenges facing our environment.
Babanil. Photography by Harry Jak
In Babanil, filmmaker Marlikka Perdrisat forms a dreamlike expression of her intergenerational connection to Country. A connection available to everyone who loves and cares for a place. Marlikka directs the documentary and produces alongside executive producers Anna Kaplan and Damon Gameau of Regen Studios.
“It felt really special to create Babanil with my family in the first year of my son’s life. Anna and Damon trusted me to tell the story in a unique way, which brought so much meaning to the film.” said Marlikka Perdrisat, Babanil Director/Producer.
Mad About Maggots illustrates how one third of the food produced every year is thrown away, and because of this, food waste makes up 30 percent of global emissions. Biologist Luke Wheat has decided to do something about it. Mad About Maggots is directed by Elsie Shaw, who also produces alongside Lori Canalini, and is written by Patrick Hogan. Both Marlikka and Elsie will be joining a special ‘meet the filmmaker’ panel this weekend, presented by the Australian Museum.
Luke Wheat in Mad About Maggots
“It has been so exciting creating this film that tells the story of a very unlikely climate solution. What an incredible experience working alongside the other filmmakers that are part of this series from right across Australia to share inspirational stories about real people working hard to save our planet.” said Elsie Shaw, Mad About Maggots Director/Producer.
Keeping Hope screens on Monday 12 June at Event Cinemas George Street and Tuesday 13 June at Dendy Newtown. Tickets available here.
Babanil and Mad About Maggots screen tonight, Thursday 8 June at Event Cinemas George Street and as part of the ‘Talking Climate: Special Screening and Panel’ on Sunday 11 June at the Australian Museum. Tickets available here.
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