Sydney Film Festival Expands Lineup With Eight Acclaimed Titles From Cannes

The upcoming Sydney Film Festival has added eight highly anticipated titles that premiered at Cannes to its lineup. These films include Guan Hu’s ‘Black Dog’, Mohammad Rasoulof’s ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’, and Francis Ford Coppola’s passion project ‘Megalopolis’.

Also featured is 'Rumours,' directed by Guy Maddin, Evan, and Galen Johnson, starring Australia’s Cate Blanchett; the documentary 'Ernest Cole: Lost and Found'; the 'Tides' catch Jia Zhangke; 'The Girl with the Needle'; and the revenge thriller ‘Ghost Trail.'

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Nishikawa Miwa, the Japanese director behind ‘The Long Excuse’ and ‘Under the Open Sky’, has been announced as the mentor for the Tokyo International Film Festival’s Teens Meet Cinema, a film production workshop for teenagers. In August, selected students will gather in Ota City to develop a script, shoot, and edit a film under Nishikawa's guidance, with assistance from a professional crew. The completed film will premiere at the Tokyo Festival.

‘Butterfly on the Windowpane’, Nepal’s official selection for the Oscars, will open the Nepal America International Film Festival of Maryland. Organised by the Nepal America Film Society, the festival will run from June 20-23 in Silver Spring and Greenbelt, Maryland. It features a selection of thirty-five films from eleven countries, including both shorts and features.

The festival lineup also includes Nepal’s ‘The Riyalists’ by Kesang Tseten, Saim Sadiq’s ‘Joyland’, and Nancy Svendsen’s ‘Pasang: In the Shadow of Everest’, which will serve as the closing title. These films highlight a diverse range of stories and styles, showcasing the talents of filmmakers from around the world.

The addition of these Cannes-premiered films and the mentorship of a distinguished director like Nishikawa Miwa underscore the festival's commitment to celebrating global cinema and nurturing new talent. This year’s Sydney Film Festival promises to be a significant event for cinephiles, offering a unique opportunity to experience acclaimed films and support emerging filmmakers.

-Sushmita Sarkar