Sideshow Films’ The Carnival, a Walkley Documentary Award finalist, will air on SBS February 22 as part of the Australia Uncovered Strand.
The film, written and directed by Isabel Darling, was shot over seven years and follows six-generation travelling show family The Bells as they journey across the country with their convoy of trucks and workers, battling not only to keep Australia’s oldest show on the road – but also to keep their family’s legacy alive.
The Carnival premiered at Sydney Film Festival in 2023. It is produced by Darling and Tom Zubrycki. Darling also served as director of photography alongside Daniel Hartley-Allen, while Hilary Balmond and Lindi Harrison edited.
Principal production funding for the film comes via Screen Australia in association with Shark Island Foundation, with further financial support from Screen NSW, Torchlight Media and JOTZ Productions.
SBS’s Australia Uncovered, a collection of standalone docs now in its third year, is designed to explore untold Australian stories and reveal new insights into issues facing Australians today.