First Films 2025

First Films is back with 5 Australian Premieres, Unmissable New Daring Debuts and Queer Classics in 4K! 

The 4th edition of First Films returns from 5–9 November at Golden Age Cinema and Bar. Staying true to its unique essence, the program showcases emerging directors’ new debut features for the first time ever in Sydney, alongside bold and explosive retrospective debuts. This year’s edition presents its biggest lineup yet, featuring seven titles in total. Award-winning highlights include 2025 Sundance NEXT Special Jury Award Winner for Ensemble Cast, Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo), Hot Docs 2024 Emerging International Filmmaker Award winner XiXi and New Wave which was awarded a special jury mention at Tribeca. 

Program highlights also include Kyuka Before Summer’s End, opening film of ACID 2024, a parallel section of Cannes; Debut, or, Objects of the Field of Debris as Currently Catalogued, an intimate, hypnotic, playful, deliciously witty and entirely unforgettable film made for only $900 USD.

New 4K restorations of two classics will also be showcased for the first time in Sydney, the opening night film High Art (1998) from Academy Award nominee Lisa Cholodenko (The Kids Are All Right); and Pink Narcissus (1971), a classic of queer cinema.