25 01 2019 - Media release Six Australian projects selected to screen at Berlinale
Buoyancy
Six Australian projects have been selected for the 2019 Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale). Feature film Buoyancy directed by Rodd Rathjen and produced by Causeway Films whose credits include The Babadook, Cargo and The Nightingale will have its world premiere at the festival, as well as feature documentary 2040 written and directed by Damon Gameau (That Sugar Film).
This news comes after a historic six Australian feature films were selected to screen at Sundance Film Festival which began yesterday.
Graeme Mason, CEO of Screen Australia said: Be it thought-provoking documentaries, moving dramas, or short films it's clear that Australian stories and our filmmakers continue to resonate around the world. We congratulate all the Australian teams on their Berlinale selection and we are proud to have such distinctive and diverse projects representing our industry at this esteemed festival.
Producer of feature film Buoyancy Sam Jennings said: It's a fantastic honour to be launching our film in Berlinale's prestigious Panorama program. Rodd has told an important story in a boldly cinematic way, and we hope it will impact on audiences around the world. Buoyancy was only made possible by the unwavering passion of our Cambodian and South East Asian collaborators and extraordinary crew, who along with our investors put a lot of faith in this project, and it will be a thrilling start for the whole team to share.
Writer and director of feature documentary 2040 that looks at the current and future state of our planet, Damon Gameau said: We are delighted to premiere 2040 at such a terrific festival and hope that it can spark some important conversations.
Feature documentary She Who Must Be Loved from Erica Glynn will have its international premiere as part of the NATIVe program which celebrates Indigenous storytelling. Critically acclaimed 2015 feature film Tanna directed by Bentley Dean and Martin Butler will also screen in the NATIVe program, as well as short film Blackbird directed by Amie Batalibasi.
The Mermaids, Or Aiden in Wonderland by Karrabing Film Collective, an experimental short film about what might happen at the end of the world will screen as part of the festivals 14th Forum Expanded program.
Two Australian producers Kate Laurie and Peter Ireland have been selected to participate in the Berlinale Talents program, as well as production designer and art director Alicia Clements.
Actress Tilda Cobham-Hervey will sit on the International Generation Kplus jury. Her short film A Field Guide to Being a 12-Year-Old-Girl screened in the festivals Generation Kplus program last year and won the Crystal Bear for Best Short Film in that program.
Australian producer Greer Simpkin from Bunya Productions is part of the international team behind Flesh & Blood which will be pitched at the European Film Market's Co-Production market for Co Pro Series.
The Berlin International Film Festival runs 7-17 February 2019.
High resolution images of the selected films here
AUSTRALIAN FILMS AT BERLINALE 2019 2040
1 x 92mins
GoodThing Productions Pty Ltd
Genre Feature documentary
Director / Writer Damon Gameau
Producers Nick Batzias, Damon Gameu, Anna Kaplan, Virginia Whitwell
Distributor Madman Entertainment
Synopsis A high-concept feature documentary that looks to the future, but is vitally important NOW!
Production Credit: 2040 is a GoodThing Productions and Regen Pictures production. Major production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Shark Island Institute, Good Pitch Australia and Diamond Docs. Financed with support from Film Victoria and Cumulus Visual Effects.
Berlin Film Festival World Premiere
Australian Media contact Caroline Whiteway, Madman Entertainment, [email protected]
International Media contact Dheeraj Agnihotri & Kirsty Langsdale, Organic Publicity o[email protected]
International Sales Paul Wiegard [email protected]
Blackbird
1 x 13mins
Victorian College of the Arts - University of Melbourne
Short Period Drama
Director Amie Batalibasi
Associate Producers John Harvey, Lia Pa apa a
Australian Distributor Ronin Films
International Sales Ronin Films
Synopsis In the late 1800s, Solomon Islander siblings Kiko and Rosa struggle to survive whilst labouring on a Queensland sugar plantation. This narrative short sheds light on the little known history of Australia's sugar slaves'.
Production Credit: Blackbird is a Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) production. Principal production support from the 2015 Regional Arts Development Fund - Queensland Government and Mackay Regional City Council, in association with Mackay Yamadi Lera Yumi Meta Association Inc. Financed with support from Pozible backers; 2015 VCA Margaret Lawrence Social Justice Award, Moving Clickers Kickalong' Award and Panavision Script Production Award.
Berlin Film Festival NATIVe program
Media contact Amie Batalibasi: [email protected]
International Sales contact Andrew Pike: [email protected]
Buoyancy
Causeway Films
Genre Drama
Director / Writer Rodd Rathjen
Producers Samantha Jennings, Rita Walsh, Kristina Ceyton
Australian Distributor Umbrella Entertainment
International Sales Charades, Echo Studio
Synopsis An innocent Cambodian boy is enslaved on a Thai fishing trawler and soon realises that his only hope of freedom is to become as violent as his captors.
Production Credit: Buoyancy is a Causeway Films production. Major production investment from Screen Australia, in association with Melbourne International Film Festival's MIFF Premiere Fund. Financed with support from Film Victoria, Feracious Entertainment, Anupheap Productions and Definition Films.
Berlin Film Festival World Premiere
Australian and International media con
Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories
18/06/2026
Techtel delivers Haivision live streaming system for TAFE NSW St Leonards, enabl...
16/06/2026
Australians place growing trust in SBS News
16 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has been recognised as one of Australia's most trusted news providers, ran...
16/06/2026
Share your views on Screen Australia and the future of the industry 15 June 2026
Your feedback matters.
Following the instrumental insights provided in 2025,...
16/06/2026
Techtel Supports T-Motion RCCP-2A Controller Upgrade for Major Australian Broadc...
15/06/2026
4.78M AUSSIES TUNE IN FOR SOCCEROOS WIN OVER T RK YE ON SBS
15 June, 2026
Media releases
Match had a Total TV average audience of 3.035 million, with over ...
15/06/2026
SBS Head of Commissioning John Godfrey to depart after 18 years
15 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS Head of Commissioning John Godfrey will depart the broadca...
15/06/2026
Techtel Completes Media Production Setup for a major AFL sporting organisation
Sports
15 June Written By Suzanne Costello
(Sydney, Australia 15 June 2026)...
12/06/2026
How Aussie indie games and screen are levelling up with IP 11 June 2026
Ari Harrison, Pro Jank Footy
Head of Games Joey Egger and Ari Harrison of Umbrella sha...
11/06/2026
Australian Games Industry Glossary of Terms 10 June 2026
From DAU and EULA to COT and QADE, here's a list of game industry terms, industry jargon and their...
10/06/2026
Alone Australia Season 4: Meet the Cast
10 June, 2026
Media releases
WATCH THE TRAILER
Smash-hit survival series Alone Australia drops its highly anticipa...
10/06/2026
DEADLY THEN, DEADLY NOW, DEADLY ALWAYS: SBS & NITV IGNITE NAIDOC WEEK 2026 WITH ...
04/06/2026
Is Your Job Making You Work this June?
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS Launches the World Cup Watchers' Rights Association to Stand Up For Australians&...
04/06/2026
Statement regarding unauthorised use of SBS logos on third party social content
4 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has become aware of social media posts in c...
03/06/2026
Clarification: SBS's position on definitions of antisemitism
3 June, 2026
Media releases
Statement by Mandi Wicks, SBS Director of News and Current Aff...
03/06/2026
Do not read this media release! Andy Lee's smash-hit show returns to ABC thi...
01/06/2026
SBS confirms its broadcast sponsors for FIFA World Cup 2026
1 June, 2026
Media releases
SBS has secured Hyundai, Hisense, Macca's, Rexona, bet365, Com...
28/05/2026
Get fit for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with new SBS On Demand features for the ult...
28/05/2026
Six films, one unmissable collection. First Facts documentaries debut on 10 Stre...
28/05/2026
Emma Watkins brings all-new Emma's Dance Club to ABC Kids 28 May 2026
Emmas Dance Club. Image credit: Sarah Wilson.
The ABC, Screen Australia and Screen N...
26/05/2026
Three new kids' digital series set to hatch from ACTF and Screen Australia i...
25/05/2026
SBS announces exclusive TV broadcast schedule for FIFA World Cup 2026
21 May, 2026
Media releases
Luke Wilkshire, Tommy Oar, Andrew Redmayne, Sarah Walsh ...
22/05/2026
Statement regarding 2026 National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award for the late...
21/05/2026
2026 delegation for Partner with Australia (UK) initiative announced 21 May 2026
Screen Australia and Ausfilm have today announced the delegation for the 2026 ...
20/05/2026
From Gulkula to the nation: Yothu Yindi Foundation and NITV deepen national acce...
20/05/2026
SBS appoints David Fernandez as National Manager, Digital & TV Sales
20 May, 2026
Media releases
SBS has appointed David Fernandez as National Manager, Dig...
20/05/2026
First Nations Factual Co-production Development Fund launched to elevate Indigen...
18/05/2026
Delta Goodrem shines for SBS as more than 3.27 million Australians tune in for E...
17/05/2026
Delta Goodrem's Eurovision Eclipse marks end of a stellar run
17 May, 2026
Media releases
Bulgaria wins Eurovision 2026
Relive every spellbinding mome...
15/05/2026
Joint Statement: News Bargaining Incentive
28 April, 2026
Media releases
The vibrancy of Australian democracy relies on the robust and open exchange of new...
15/05/2026
Call it Deltavision, Australia's through to the Grand Final of this year'...
14/05/2026
SBS Board appoints Jane Palfreyman Managing Director
13 May, 2026
Media releases
The Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Board of Directors is pleased to an...
14/05/2026
Transforming bold ideas into market-ready productions: Digital Originals returns
14 May, 2026
Media releases
SBS, NITV and Screen Australia have announced ...
14/05/2026
Australia Uncovered Returns to SBS with Bold New Season Featuring John Safran on...
14/05/2026
Transforming bold ideas into market-ready productions: Digital Originals returns 14 May 2026
Top (L-R): Bronte Gosper (Musket), Mema Munro (Rogue One), Nathan ...
12/05/2026
One month to go! SBS reveals expansive FIFA World Cup 2026 lineup beyond the pi...
11/05/2026
You're not meant to look at an Eclipse, but you won't be able to take yo...
04/05/2026
It's Andrew! stomps onto screens this June 4 May 2026
The ABC and Screen Australia are delighted to announce that brand new preschool series, It's Andr...
30/04/2026
SBS & NITV LEAD NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK 2026 WITH LANDMARK GULPILIL DOCUMEN...
29/04/2026
Surgeon Dr Jasmina Kevric wins 2026 Les Murray Award
29 April, 2026
Media releases
Australia for UNHCR and SBS are proud to announce that Dr Jasmina Kevric...
23/04/2026
Apply now to join the 2026 Producer Delegation to TIFF: The Market 23 April 2026
Screen Australia, in partnership with Ontario Creates, has opened application...
22/04/2026
SBS names shortlisted brands for 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge
22 April, 2026
Media releases
National broadcaster also releases its second annual...
21/04/2026
Applications open for 2026 AISF and Screen Australia Writer/Director Virtual Ses...
20/04/2026
Register now - Market & Audience Department Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 11 February 2026
Screen Australia Head of Market & Audience Rakel Tansley
Talking to...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia announces funding for 44 documentary projects that reflect a s...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia appoints Tanya Phegan as Narrative Content Head of Development 17 March 2026
Tanya Phegan
Screen Australia has today announced the appointmen...
20/04/2026
Applications Open for Skip Ahead 11 19 March 2026
Past Skip Ahead recipients (L-R): Macfarlane Bros, Rainbow Bop, Lyanna Kea.
Screen Australia and YouTube Aus...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia empowers the next games generation, including new creatives fro...
20/04/2026
Official Co-production Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 26 March 2026
Image (L-R): Mix Tape, Michele McDonald, Flower & Flour.
Interested in international Co-pro...
25 01 2019 - Media release Six Australian projects selected to screen at Berlinale 
