The poster for SIRĀT, showing a man silhouetted in a shaft of light between two enormous speakers.
I have 4 #oscars films to go to complete my 2026 death race, and I'm back to it today with SIRĀT, a film I've been intrigued about ever since I couldn't fit it into my #sydfilmfest program
Doing a rare thing and seeing a film at the cinema for the second time. The first time I saw THE SECRET AGENT was at #sydfilmfest, in the middle of 7 films I saw in quick succession over two days.
I feel like I didn't really get it at the time and I didn't have time to sit with it. So here we are.
It's my bi-weekly night out at the cinema tonight, and first I'm catching up with a film I missed at #sydfilmfest: TWINLESS
Jennifer Peedom's excellent documentary DEEPER is getting a wider release later this month in Australia, and it's worth your time. My review from #sydfilmfest: boxd.it/9UZMmd
We did a team-building "share something from your 2025 so far" thing today, and I decided to talk about my favourite films I saw at #sydfilmfest
It's Jez's Movie Night! (a fast follow to Jez's Movie Festival, aka #sydfilmfest)
I just saw THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME and while I love Wes Anderson, his films are becoming the Avengers films of the Wes Anderson Cinematic Universe.
Thank you Sydney! This year's #sydfilmfest was the highest selling Festival in our history 🫶
Across 12 days, we welcomed OVER 150,000 ATTENDEES, screened 242 films, and hosted 448 screenings and events, with 150 sessions selling out! 💥😱
A delicately observed, emotionally layered drama that showcases Joachim Trier’s gift for capturing life’s quiet, complicated truths, anchored by Renate Reinsve and an outstanding cast.
thereelbits.com/2025/06/17/r...
@sydfilmfest.bsky.social @madmanfilms.bsky.social #SydFilmFest #FilmSky
My 10 favourite films in @sydfilmfest.bsky.social #sydfilmfest
1. My Father’s Shadow
2. The wolves always come at night
3 The President’s Cake
4. Offside
5. The Ballad of Wallis Island
6. Mr Burton
7. The Golden Spurtle
8. DJ Ahmet
9 Pooja Sir
10. ROMERIA
Better than watching SPLITSVILLE which got the prize for the worst film in @sydfilmfest.bsky.social
#sydfilmfest
Despite needing an edit (particularly the first act) and at times being a little too polished, this film is an emotional & powerful ride, highlighting the disparity between two peoples living on the same land. Both gentle & brutal and both forgiving & vengeful. #SydFilmFest
As always, the #sydfilmfest shorts program was fantastic. My particular favourites were INTERVIEW WITH A HERO (increment the "films that have made Jez cry" counter) and FACELESS, but I'm glad we had DIY providing some levity at the end too.
All the films were great though.
Oh, and that last session had a short with it: NERVOUS ENERGY, which was slightly overwrought for my tastes. #sydfilmfest
Well I've made it to my final session of another epic #sydfilmfest. Fortunately, there's still 10 films to go because it's the Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films!
Always a lovely way to finish my festival.
Catching up on #SydFilmFest reviews. Here's my one for Jafar Panahi's Palme d'Or winner IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT, a taut thriller that makes a turn into a sharp, sometimes darkly funny reckoning with trauma and justice. @sydfilmfest.bsky.social @ofcs.bsky.social
thereelbits.com/2025/06/15/r...
I've got another absolute PISSBOLT after this session to get back to the city for the Australian Short Films screening. I possibly could have planned this better, but who doesn't like a bit of danger in their #sydfilmfest schedule.
Next up at #sydfilmfest is DREAMS (SEX LOVE), winner of the Golden Bear at Berlin this year, which has historically been a good sign that I'll like a film.
@sydfilmfest.bsky.social #sydfilmfest
ROMERIA a well directed film but very personal to the director. I do wish they would make subtitles visible
ROMERÍA: Once again Carla Simón gives us a complex family drama revealed in fragments of memory. Like an orchestra playing a symphony, every element has its place, and Simón conducts with great skill. #sydfilmfest
First up today is ROMERÍA, after which I will have completed the #sydfilmfest Competition films for this year.
Today is the last day of #sydfilmfest! But I'm making good use of it, with 13 films on the schedule (2 features, 11 short films), including the last of the Official Competition, this year's Golden Bear winner, and the Dendy Awards for Australian Short Film.
A doco more suited to a 1-hour TV special rather than a feature. Nicely enough done with lots of great music & footage but also a lot of unnecessary talking from friends and band mates, with nothing overly revelatory. A tragic end to a musician with so much promise. #SydFilmFest
REDUX REDUX: the best programming for the Freak Me Out section at #sydfilmfest is either High Concept, Schlocky or Genuinely Terrible, and that one was Schlocky and High Concept so that's a big win. Loved it.
And *also* its accompanying short film: I CAN'T GO ON. #sydfilmfest
