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Documentary Australia Award

Recognising the incredible artistry and tenacity of independent filmmakers

Sydney Film Festival is honoured to present the annual Documentary Australia Award, supported by Documentary Australia.

This prize acknowledges excellence in Australian documentary production. As well as receiving a $20,000 cash prize courtesy of Documentary Australia, the winning film becomes Academy Award eligible.

Previous winners: Marungka Tjalatjunu (Dipped in Black) (2023), Keep Stepping (2022), I’m Wanita (2021), Descent (2020), She Who Must Be Loved (2019), Ghosthunter (2018), The Pink House (2017), In the Shadow of the Hill (2016), Only the Dead (2015), 35 Letters (2014), Buckskin (2013), Killing Anna (2012), Life in Movement (2011), The Snowman (2010), A Good Man (2009) and Contact (2009).

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Fri Jun 7 at 6:00pm State Library of NSW

Mozart's Sister

Documentary The story of the other Mozart, Maria-Anna, a child prodigy forgotten to time, as seen through the eyes of musicians, musicologists, and researchers.

Sat Jun 8 at 2:00pm State Theatre

Revealed: Otto By Otto

Documentary Gracie Otto (Under the Volcano, SFF 2021; The Last Impresario, SFF 2014) attempts to capture the memories of her father, iconic Australian actor and artist Barry Otto (Strictly Ballroom, SFF 1992), before they are lost forever.

Sat Jun 8 at 6:00pm State Library of NSW

Welcome To Babel

Documentary An absorbing documentary about Chinese-Australian artist Jiawei Shen’s plans to create an epic work depicting his homeland’s tumultuous recent history.

Sun Jun 9 at 3:00pm Hayden Orpheum Cremorne - Cinema 5

Mozart's Sister

Documentary The story of the other Mozart, Maria-Anna, a child prodigy forgotten to time, as seen through the eyes of musicians, musicologists, and researchers.

Sun Jun 9 at 5:30pm State Library of NSW

Welcome To Yiddishland

Documentary An upbeat, witty, and timely exploration of a global community of artists creating innovative work in their quest to rediscover and revitalise the endangered Yiddish language.

Sun Jun 9 at 6:15pm Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 3

You Should Have Been Here Yesterday

Documentary A cinematic ode to Australia’s early surfing culture featuring evocative restored footage, a chilled-out soundtrack, and narration from surfing aficionados and heroes such as Tim Winton and Wayne Lynch.

Mon Jun 10 at 2:00pm Ritz Randwick - Cinema 5

Welcome To Yiddishland

Documentary An upbeat, witty, and timely exploration of a global community of artists creating innovative work in their quest to rediscover and revitalise the endangered Yiddish language.

Mon Jun 10 at 3:30pm Hayden Orpheum Cremorne - Cinema 5

Revealed: Otto By Otto

Documentary Gracie Otto (Under the Volcano, SFF 2021; The Last Impresario, SFF 2014) attempts to capture the memories of her father, iconic Australian actor and artist Barry Otto (Strictly Ballroom, SFF 1992), before they are lost forever.

Mon Jun 10 at 4:15pm Dendy Newtown - Cinema 1

You Should Have Been Here Yesterday

Documentary A cinematic ode to Australia’s early surfing culture featuring evocative restored footage, a chilled-out soundtrack, and narration from surfing aficionados and heroes such as Tim Winton and Wayne Lynch.

Tue Jun 11 at 6:00pm Palace Central Cinemas - Cinema 1

Welcome To Babel

Documentary An absorbing documentary about Chinese-Australian artist Jiawei Shen’s plans to create an epic work depicting his homeland’s tumultuous recent history.

Tue Jun 11 at 6:15pm Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 5

The Blind Sea

Documentary Professional athlete Matt Formston confronts a new, awe-inspiring challenge: surfing the biggest wave ever tackled by a blind surfer.

Fri Jun 14 at 6:00pm State Library of NSW

Dale Frank - Nobody's Sweetie

Documentary A charmingly intimate portrait of Dale Frank, hardworking artist and hermit, laying bare his creative process and his place in today’s art world.

Fri Jun 14 at 6:15pm Dendy Newtown - Cinema 2

The Blind Sea

Documentary Professional athlete Matt Formston confronts a new, awe-inspiring challenge: surfing the biggest wave ever tackled by a blind surfer.

Fri Jun 14 at 6:30pm Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 9

Aquarius

Documentary The dawning of the Aquarius Festival in Nimbin 1973 – an alternative gathering embraced by activists, hippies, and radicals that changed a town (and a generation) forever.

Sat Jun 15 at 9:15am State Theatre

Every Little Thing

Documentary Exquisite hummingbirds fill the screen in Australian filmmaker Sally Aitken’s captivating story of a woman finding herself as she cares for the tiny birds. Selected Sundance and CPH:DOX.

Sat Jun 15 at 1:30pm Art Gallery of New South Wales

Dale Frank - Nobody's Sweetie

Documentary A charmingly intimate portrait of Dale Frank, hardworking artist and hermit, laying bare his creative process and his place in today’s art world.

Sat Jun 15 at 4:10pm Dendy Newtown - Cinema 3

Aquarius

Documentary The dawning of the Aquarius Festival in Nimbin 1973 – an alternative gathering embraced by activists, hippies, and radicals that changed a town (and a generation) forever.

Sat Jun 15 at 6:20pm Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 5

Skategoat

Documentary A young boy’s dream to become a pro skateboarder is captured in all its kinetic glory by renegade graffiti artist and acclaimed music video director Van Alpert.

Sun Jun 16 at 2:00pm Ritz Randwick - Cinema 5

You Should Have Been Here Yesterday

Documentary A cinematic ode to Australia’s early surfing culture featuring evocative restored footage, a chilled-out soundtrack, and narration from surfing aficionados and heroes such as Tim Winton and Wayne Lynch.

Sun Jun 16 at 4:15pm Dendy Newtown - Cinema 1

Skategoat

Documentary A young boy’s dream to become a pro skateboarder is captured in all its kinetic glory by renegade graffiti artist and acclaimed music video director Van Alpert.

Sun Jun 16 at 4:15pm Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 9

Every Little Thing

Documentary Exquisite hummingbirds fill the screen in Australian filmmaker Sally Aitken’s captivating story of a woman finding herself as she cares for the tiny birds. Selected Sundance and CPH:DOX.

Aquarius

Documentary The dawning of the Aquarius Festival in Nimbin 1973 – an alternative gathering embraced by activists, hippies, and radicals that changed a town (and a generation) forever.

The Blind Sea

Documentary Professional athlete Matt Formston confronts a new, awe-inspiring challenge: surfing the biggest wave ever tackled by a blind surfer.

Dale Frank - Nobody's Sweetie

Documentary A charmingly intimate portrait of Dale Frank, hardworking artist and hermit, laying bare his creative process and his place in today’s art world.

Every Little Thing

Documentary Exquisite hummingbirds fill the screen in Australian filmmaker Sally Aitken’s captivating story of a woman finding herself as she cares for the tiny birds. Selected Sundance and CPH:DOX.

Mozart's Sister

Documentary The story of the other Mozart, Maria-Anna, a child prodigy forgotten to time, as seen through the eyes of musicians, musicologists, and researchers.

Revealed: Otto By Otto

Documentary Gracie Otto (Under the Volcano, SFF 2021; The Last Impresario, SFF 2014) attempts to capture the memories of her father, iconic Australian actor and artist Barry Otto (Strictly Ballroom, SFF 1992), before they are lost forever.

Skategoat

Documentary A young boy’s dream to become a pro skateboarder is captured in all its kinetic glory by renegade graffiti artist and acclaimed music video director Van Alpert.

Welcome To Babel

Documentary An absorbing documentary about Chinese-Australian artist Jiawei Shen’s plans to create an epic work depicting his homeland’s tumultuous recent history.

Welcome To Yiddishland

Documentary An upbeat, witty, and timely exploration of a global community of artists creating innovative work in their quest to rediscover and revitalise the endangered Yiddish language.

You Should Have Been Here Yesterday

Documentary A cinematic ode to Australia’s early surfing culture featuring evocative restored footage, a chilled-out soundtrack, and narration from surfing aficionados and heroes such as Tim Winton and Wayne Lynch.

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