By FilmInk staff
South Australian-produced and South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) supported films Jinpa (pictured) and Never Get Busted! will premiere at the prestigious 2025 Sundance Film Festival, announced today It was decided that it would be done.
SA’s Closer Productions’ Jimpa, starring Olivia Colman, John Lithgow and SA’s Orde Mason-Hyde, was filmed in Adelaide and Amsterdam earlier this year and will make its world premiere in the Sundance Premiere category. This selection marks SA director Sophie Hyde’s fourth Sundance film, following Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (2022) and Animals (2019). It follows his feature debut “52 Tuesdays” (2014), which won the Best Director award at the World Cinema Dramatic Competition.
Today’s announcement builds on a series of projects from acclaimed South Australian film collective Closer Productions, which was hailed at Sundance with Shut Up Little Man! In 2011, Audio Misadventure was chosen, and in 2015, Sam Klemke’s Time Machine was chosen.
Jimpa was written by Matthew Cormack and Sophie Hyde (co-creators of 52 Tuesdays) and co-produced by Liam Hayen (Mad Ones Films), Sophie Hyde, Brian Mason and Marlene Slott. Produced with Saina Strachan. This production was supported by both SAFC and the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund (AFFIF).
Jinpa follows Hannah (Olivia Colman), who takes non-binary teenager Frances (Orde Mason-Hyde) to Amsterdam to meet her gay grandfather Jim (John Lithgow), affectionately known as Jinpa. ) about going to see someone. However, Frances’ desire to stay abroad with Jinpa for a year forces Hannah to reconsider her beliefs about parenting and ultimately confront old stories from her past.
The film also stars Daniel Henshall (The Royal Hotel), Kate Box (An Erotic Story), Eamon Farren (The Witcher), Cody Fern (American Horror Story), and Tilda. Cobham-Harvey (“I Am Woman”) and Deborah Kennedy (“Lost Flowers”) also appear. Alice Hart), Hans Kesting (Nr. 10), Zoe Love Smith (Scum New Jersey), Romana Frede (Don’t Wanna Dance), Jean Janssens (Campus 12), Frank Sanders (The Rosettes Musical), Bryn Chapman Parrish (Heartbreak High).
Sophie Hyde said: “We are thrilled to be returning to Sundance and can’t wait to showcase the work of our talented creative team, including Olivia, John, Ord and our entire beautiful ensemble cast.” Ta.
SA Projector Film’s South Australian documentary ‘Never Get Busted!’ will premiere as one of only three titles selected for Sundance’s episodic category. The film follows Barry Cooper, a highly decorated Texas drug enforcement officer who fights back against the police by arresting unscrupulous police officers and telling drug users where they can hide them.
Jinpa and Never Get Busted are among three Australian productions selected for the Sundance program, which will be held in Utah, USA, from January 23 to February 2, 2025. , and Australian writer/director Michael Shanks’s Together (starring James Franco and Alison) were also selected. Credit goes to Damon Herriman of Bree and South Australia, and Shaun Lahiff of SA as editor.
Sundance also includes Danny and Michael Philippou’s phenomenally successful debut feature Talk to Me (2023), as well as the iconic SAFC-supported feature film Run Rabbit. The company has a history of bringing Australian films to the US market, including “Run” (2023) and Scott Hicks’ “Shine” (1996). ), Wolf Creek (2005), The Babadook (2014), I Am Mother (2019), Top End Wedding (2019), and Closer Productions’ Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Missadventure, just to name a few. (2011), 52 Tuesdays (2014), and Sam Klemke’s Time Machine (2015).
Minister for the Arts Andrea Michaels said: It will air at the Sundance Film Festival. Sundance is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world and being a part of it speaks volumes about the extraordinary talent of the South Australian film industry. I would like to congratulate the production teams of both films and SAFC for their continued support of great South Australian production. ”
SAFC Head of Production and Development Leanne Saunders said: “SAFC is extremely proud that South Australia’s creative excellence will once again be celebrated at Sundance.” South Australia is known for exceeding its capabilities on the world stage and the selection of these two outstanding and original productions highlights the incredible talent we are proud to support. This further supports the range of .
“It’s worth noting that both productions are rooted in South Australian creativity, but from storytelling and casting to financing and filming locations, they are not limited to state or national borders, but have a global perspective. Telling stories and establishing a strong presence on the world stage.
“Congratulations to Jimpa and the creative team behind Never Get Busted! on this prestigious honor.”
Screen Australia COO Grainne Brunsdon said: “Australia’s titles selected for Sundance are a testament to the incredible talent and vision behind each film, and we are extremely proud to have our stories recognized at such a prestigious festival. This achievement reflects the dedication and strength of Australian filmmakers to bring diverse and compelling stories to a global audience. ”
The history of Australian titles at Sundance can be found on the Screen Australia website.
JIMPA is a production of Closer Productions, Mad Ones Films and Viking Film. Major production investment from Screen Australia and Align. Supported by the Dutch Film Fund and the Dutch Film Production Grant. Funded by Finland Impact Film Fund, Aurora Studios, Cineart, South Australian Film Corporation, Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund and Mind the Gap Film Finance. Further funding was provided by Kojo, Closer Films and Mad Ones Films. ANZ is distributed by Kismet and The Unquiet Collective, with Cinéart distributing in the Benelux region. International sales for North America by Protagonist Pictures and CAA. Developed with support from Screen Australia and the South Australian Film Corporation.
