It was announced on Tuesday by Melbourne International Film Festival that filmmaker Abe Forsythe’s second feature film, Down Under, will screen as the prestigious Centrepiece Gala at the 2016 edition of the festival.
Down Under is a black comedy set during the aftermath of the Cronulla riots. It’s been described as a “hilarious yet poignant story of ignorance, fear and kebab-cravings.”
The film is written and directed by Forsythe, produced by Jodi Matterson and executive produced by Greg McLean.
The prestigious Centrepiece gala is a celebration of Australian films and marks the mid-way point in the annual eighteen-day event.
Melbourne International Film Festival Director Michelle Carey said, “We are delighted to have Down Under as our Centrepiece Gala film this year at MIFF and congratulate Abe Forsythe and the filmmaking team on this wonderful movie. The film is punchy, thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking at the same time, with a terrific ensemble cast.”
In response to the selection of his film for the Centrepiece Gala, Forsythe says, “I’m thrilled that Down Under has been given the Centrepiece Gala. MIFF has long been one of my favourite film festivals to attend, so it means a great deal to me to be given such a prestigious slot.”
Down Under stars Lincoln Younes (Hiding, Love Child Season 2), Rahel Romahn (Underbelly: The Golden Mile, The Combination), Damon Herriman (The Water Diviner, The Little Death, Justified),Michael Denkha (The Combination, Stealth), Fayssal Bazzi (Crownies, Cedar Boys), Alexander England (Gods of Egypt, Power Games: The Packer-Murdoch Story), Justin Rosniak (Animal Kingdom), Harriet Dyer (Love Child, Janet King) and introduces Christopher Bunton. It also featuresJosh McConville, Dylan Young, Christiaan Van Vuuren, Anthony Taufa along with Marshall Napier(The Water Horse, Babe) and David Field (Last Cab to Darwin, The Rover, Chopper).
It has also been announced that Sydney Film Festival will host the World Premiere of Down Under on June 15. Following its festival screenings, the film will have a cinematic release on August 11, distributed by STUDIOCANAL Australia.
———-
