Maya Newell’s Gayby Baby and Lisa Nicol’s Wide Open Sky will screen as part of an expanded program of family-friendly cinema at the 62nd Sydney Film Festival.
Also premiering will be Tomm Moore’s Oscar-nominated animated documentary Song of the Sea and Indian director M. Manikandan’s live action adventure The Crow’s Egg.
In addition, a kids animation showcase will feature shorts targeted at children aged 3-8.
Gayby Baby tells the stories of four children who recount their experiences of growing up with same-sex parents.
The follow-up to Nicol's ABC documentary Outback Choir, Wide Open Sky chronicles the journey of a children's choir in a remote, disadvantaged region from auditions to end-of-year concert.
Sydney Film Festival director Nashen Moodley said the expanded family program is replete with a range of styles and genres.
"The festival aims to ignite a love of film in audiences both young and old, for a unique experience to be shared together,” he said. “From the Oscar- nominated Song of the Sea; to the charming and funny story of two slum-dwelling children’s adventure to try a slice of pizza in The Crow’s Egg; to growing up with same-sex parents told from the child’s point of view in Gayby Baby; a diverse and intelligent family program is assured,” he said.
Tickets to the family program went on sale today via sff.org.au or 1300 733 733.
The festival runs from June 3-13. The full program of 200+ films will be launched on Wednesday May 6. The family program includes:
Kids Animation Showcase
A selection of animated short films chosen for a discerning young audience. Expect lots of clever animals, plenty of laughs and the odd scary moment for good measure! Suitable for children aged 3-8 years.
Gayby Baby
Director: Maya Newell | Australia | 85mins | In English
Kids raised by same-sex couples are growing in numbers worldwide. This intimate, humorous doco offers a refreshingly frank picture of the Gayby-Boom we seem to be experiencing in the midst of the marriage equality debate. Suitable for children aged 6+ years.
Song of the Sea
Director: Tomm Moore | Ireland, Luxembourg, Belgium, France, Denmark | 90mins | In English
Nominated for Best Animated Feature at this year’s Oscars, this magical treat for families, inspired by Celtic legend, is chock-full of glorious hand-drawn imagery, captivating critters and lilting Gaelic music. Suitable for children aged 6+ years.
The Crow's Egg
Director: M. Manikandan| India | 99mins | In Tamil
Dubbed the new Slumdog Millionaire, this is a funny, charming South Indian tale of two mischievous, resourceful brothers from a Chennai slum who become determined to taste pizza for the very first time. Suitable for children aged 8+ years.
Wide Open Sky
Director: Lisa Nicol | Australia | 79mins | In English
This heart-warming doco about childhood, creativity and community chronicles the journey of an outback Australian children’s choir from auditions to their end-of-year concert and all the trials they face along the way. Suitable for children aged 6+ years.