Acclaimed director Ana Kokkinos’ new film Blessed has been selected to screen at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival in September.
The film will screen in the Contemporary World Cinema program, which provides audiences with an annual snapshot of trends in global cinema. Blessed releases nationally in Australia on September 10 through Icon Film Distribution.
It stars Frances O’Connor, Miranda Otto, Deborra-lee Furness and Victoria Haralabidou in a powerful story about mothers and children, about being lost and finding your way home.
Seven children from five different families wander the streets in an urban odyssey through a day and a night. As the children move deeper into peril, they make choices that will affect the rest of their lives. Dawn breaks and it’s the same day, but now we follow the mothers as they struggle to keep their kids safe.
The four actresses lead an ensemble cast, which includes William McInnes (Unfinished Sky), Monica Maughan (AFI Best Actress winner for The Damnation of Harvey McHugh) and Sophie Lowe (Beautiful Kate).
Written by Andrew Bovell (Lantana), Melissa Reeves, Patricia Cornelius and Christos Tsiolkas, Blessed was produced by Al Clark (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Chopper) and directed by AFI Award winning director Ana Kokkinos (Only the Brave and Head On).
The announcement of selection for Toronto comes shortly after the film’s world premiere screening at Melbourne International Film Festival. It was also sold-out at the Brisbane International Film Festival screening.
Blessed is a Screen Australia and Wildheart Zizani production in association with Film Victoria, The Melbourne International Film Festival Premiere Fund and Head Gear Films.