Warburton Film Festival 2025

(Australia 2024) Documentary | 98m | G

Using recreations and expert interviews, the documentary explores the fascinating theory that Maria-Anna Mozart played a larger role in her brother’s music than previously thought. What happened to her compositions? Mozart’s Sister turns our gaze towards the unrecognised female creators of our time. A dramatic ‘musical mystery’ investigation unfolds around the world to discover Maria-Anna’s story through researchers, musicologists, historians, performances by world-leading orchestras, and evocative recreations of the past.

Directed and written by Madeleine Hetherton-Miau
Winner: AACTA Awards 2025 – Best Original Score in a Documentary
Best Sound in a Documentary
Special Guest: Director Madeleine Hetherton-Miau

(Denmark 2023) Historical drama | 97m | MA

Set in the final months of WWII, this touching, intelligent drama explores the unimaginable dilemmas that people must face in the wake of war. When a high school in occupied Denmark is turned into a camp for 500 German refugees, the headmaster, Jakob (Pilau Asbaek) and his family are thrust into an impossible situation. Should the family help the refugees - or stand firm in the Danish resistance against the Germans? It is an earnest drama that delves into complex moral dilemmas through a family under pressure, exploring the limits of charity.

Directed by Anders Walter.
2024 Nordisk Film Biografer Awards – Audience Award nominee

(Ireland/Finland 2022) Drama | 102m | PG

Howard (James Cosmo) is a retired sailor and widower. His adult daughter Grace (Catherine Walker) hires Annie (Brid Brennan) as a caretaker for her father. Reclusive and stubborn, Howard initially rejects Annie’s company, but slowly warms to her. Grace has her own crisis to unravel, and Annie must navigate the complex father-daughter relationship with which she is faced.

Directed by Klaus Härö
Winner: 2022 Chicago International Film Festival – Audience Choice

(France 2023) Biography/drama | 122m | MA

When aspiring French artist Pierre Bonnard (Vincent Macaigne) - a protégé of Claude Monet - meets Marthe de Méligny (Cecile de France), he has no idea that this self-proclaimed aristocrat will become the cornerstone of his life and work. From this moment, though she appears in over a third of his work, she’s more than just a muse. Together over five decades, the couple will explore creative fulfillment, love and jealousies that challenge the standards of the time, as the film interrogates the great mystery around their relationship.

Directed by Martin Provos
Official selection for Cannes Film Festival 2023

This year the dinner will be a spit roast at the Arts Centre Warburton from 6:15pm. 

 Places are limited so early booking is advised and must be received no later than Friday June 6th. Please advise of any dietary requirements when booking

Saturday 14 June - 6.15pm

(USA 1971) Crime/drama/thriller | 104m | M

A gritty classic 1971 thriller following NYPD detectives Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle (Gene Hackman) and Buddy “Cloudy” Russo (Roy Scheider), as they pursue a heroin smuggling ring from Marseille. Stopping the operation and capturing its leaders proves to be a cat-and-mouse chase culminating in an intense showdown. Don’t miss the chance to see this timeless piece on the big screen.

Directed by William Friedkin 
1972 Academy Awards – winner of five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor in a Leading Role

(Italy 2023) Comedy/Drama | 118m | M

In post-war Rome, a working class wife dreams of a better future for herself and her daughter while enduring an abusive husband. When a mysterious letter arrives, she discovers the courage to change the circumstances of her life.

Co-written and directed by Paolo Cortellesi.
Winner: 2024 Golden Globes, Italy – Best Film

The art of the short film is on display in this session which features the announcement and screening of the major prize winners in our “Show Us Your Shorts” competition, including the $1000 Golden Shorts Award. As part of our 40th celebrations, we will also take a look back at a special selection of past winners.

 2025 Judges: Laurie Hastings, Maggie Sail, Ivan Gaal, Megan Urquhart, Sarah Sloan

(Spain 2024) Historical Drama | 105m | M

Inspired by true events, the story follows a charismatic teacher, Antoni (Enric Auquer), whose progressive outlook transforms the lives of a young group of students on the eve of the Spanish Civil War. Some 75 years later, Ariadna (Laia Costa) sets out in search of her great-grandfather’s fate. She comes across the wonderful yet tragic story of his teacher and the tale hidden behind a promise that was never fulfilled

Directed by Patricia Font
Winner - Gaudi Audience Award 2024