In this episode of Keeping it Reel, we join film writer Sandy George as she delivers the annual McPherson lecture, and asks some pretty tough questions about what ‘Australianness’ is, and film funding. Sandy George is joined by Kristina Ceyton, Emile Sherman, Grainne Brunsdon, and is introduced by Deanne Weir.

In this episode of Keeping it Reel, the filmmakers of Nude Tuesday gather to talk about their incredibly unique project. The talk is in English, but the film was in gibberish… and we promise you, everyone was fully clothed.  This episode features: Armağan Ballantyne, Jackie Van Beek, Damon Herriman, Jemaine Clement, and is moderated by The Sydney Morning Herald’s Garry Maddox.

In this episode of Keeping it Reel, meet the next wave of First Nation filmmakers behind the film ‘We Are Still Here’, as they discuss how you go about making a film with ten directors, two countries, and a pandemic.  This episode features: Mia Henry-Teirney, Mitchell Stanley, Toni Stowers, and is moderated by Laurrie Brannigan-Onato and Karen Te O Kahurangi Waaka.

In this episode of Keeping it Reel, the people behind the camera; the writers, the designers, the makeup artists, the composers, come together to talk about how they see the industry and their roles.  This episode features: Antony Partos, Sam Meikle, Fiona Donovan, Caroline Constantine, Simon Njoo, and is moderated by Nell Greenwood.

In this episode of Keeping it Reel, meet the wonderful artist Del Kathryn Barton as she and some of the other filmmakers involved in the film Blaze, take us through this unique project.  This episode features: Del Kathryn Barton, Julie Savage, Samantha Jennings, and is moderated by Sandy George.

In this episode of Keeping it Reel, meet the filmmakers behind the incredible story of Shadow.  This episode features: Bruce Gladwin, Meret Hassanen, Alice Fleming and Liam White, and is moderated by Johanna Garvin.

In this session, Program Advisor Melba Proestos rounds up some of the festival’s leading curators and throws them a Sophie's Choice dilemma. In addition to revealing their picks from the film line-up, we hear them share their stories, festival rituals, strategies and booking tactics. Want to know where to get the best ramen, how to keep out of rain, and how to avoid common film etiquette blunders? Learn all this and more in our closing episode.

Just to see what would happen, we paired up Richard Kuipers, curator of the SFF horror section Freak Me Out, with Katharine Rodgers, head of our Family section. Listen in as they trade recommendations across the family-friendly divide. Social horror and psychological dramas meet action animations and time-travel adventures. In the practical tips section, we’ll cover how to keep kids happy, and - crucially - how to avoid the dreaded coffee queues before those late night viewings.

With 52 entries from 30 countries, running anywhere from four hours to four minutes, SFF has your documentary needs covered. Sit down with journalist Sandy George and Documentary Programmer Jenny Neighbour as they talk through this year’s line-up - all riveting viewing, and some blurring the lines between documentary and fiction. As usual, you’ll find helpful festival tips at the end of the episode on how to stay on top form during your SFF experience!

We listen in on a conversation between film writer and festival programmer Richard Kuipers and Sydney Film Festival Director, Nashen Moodley. Get a bird’s eye view of the official competition, from the latest Wes Anderson to diverse offerings from Italy, Romania, Austria, Denmark and Iran. We’ll also hear some pro tips from Nashen about how he deals with his punishing viewing schedule! Don’t miss it.

Welcome to Keeping it Real, your bluffer’s guide to all things SFF! As we all head back to the cinema at long last, join our series host Felix Hubble as he chats with film buff Lisa Kitching. Before we deep-dive into what the festival has in store in future episodes, they’ll take us on a quick canter through the highlights of SFF 2021 - an unprecedented tour de force of diverse genres, directors, filming techniques and more!

Hear Warwick Thornton discuss bringing (SFF 2017) to life, along with co-writer and producer of Brendan Fletcher. The pair reveal how they turned anger – and news headlines – into a poetic essay-film. Plus, how their “fast and furious approach” to shooting interviews with rappers, tattooists, astronomers and more shaped the film’s timely messages.We Don't Need a Map

Director Mirrah Foulkes discuss her creative journey in making Judy & Punch (SFF 2019), along with stars Mia Wasikowska and Damon Herriman, and producers Michele Bennett and Nash Edgerton. You’ll hear how Foulkes’s fascination with stories of violence throughout history shaped her script, and learn how Wasikowska and Herriman prepared for their iconic roles – plus why working with a dog proved to be a hilarious challenge on set.

Ben Mendelsohn sits down with director David Caesar at SFF 2017 for a special Vivid Ideas in Conversation. The actor reflects on his early Australian roles, his extraordinary international success and why he’s attracted to dark films projects like and (both SFF 2017). Plus, he treats us to a spontaneous re-enactment from .UnaAnimal Kingdom Star Wars

Director Bong discusses the ins and outs of what makes (SFF 2019) so thrilling, and why it’s struck a chord with Korean – and international – audiences. Plus, he reveals what he learnt making his early films, and which Australian cult classic he’s seen more than 20 times.Parasite

Welcome to Sydney Film Festival's new weekly series, Reverse Shot. Take a nostalgic trip through Sydney Film Festival's archive to revisit filmmaker talks, hot topic panels and thought-provoking Q&As. You’ll hear from Australian and international filmmakers, plus actors and expert curators, on how they got their start, their career highlights, and the films that changed their lives.