MEET THE FILMMAKER: Saturday July 11, 10.15am. Join the filmmakers live in-cinema for a post-screening Q&A.

STRANGER IN THE WORLD (Sturla Pilskog 29.50mins) Follows a filmmaker, his autistic son, and a composer's earth-inspired work.

A MAGIC THREAD (15:34, Patrick Green) — Father recreates daughter's wildfire-destroyed stuffed animal as an act of healing.

I WANT TO HEAR YOUR VOICE (12 mins James Pellerito) After eight years of caring for his mother with severe dementia, a son struggles through their daily care routine. Recorded voicemails serve to show the progression of the disease, underscoring the frustration, isolation and burnout that comes with intensive caregiving

MOTHER OF CHOOKS (18:49, Jesse Samos Leaman & Maite Martin Samos) — Elaine finds companionship in chickens after loss and becomes "Mother of Chooks."

THE CAPTAIN (10:45, Matthew Adekponya) The Captain had a future already mapped out: a thriving family business, and a life most people would never question. But he chose to walk away—not out of recklessness, but from a rare and unflinching honesty with himself. Trading certainty for the unknown, he leaves it all behind to build a fishing charter business in Hervey Bay, chasing a childhood dream he refuses to let slip beneath the tide.

LIVING IN BALANCE (06:31, Juzzy Kane) — Sustainable farming and land connection on Victoria's Surf Coast.

WOMEN OF THE WAVES (05:06, Han Soo Yoo) — Community breaking barriers for female surfers.

LACHLAN (04:53, Joey George) — Queer artist reflects on HIV/AIDS epidemic suffering via visceral fire-based practice.

JULIO THE LOLLIPOP MAN (12:20, Joe Novella) — Beloved 80s crossing attendant at Mornington Primary School.