Films & Events Program Strands Documentary Australia Award

Documentary Australia Award

Program Strand
Awards

You’ll see Australia’s most exciting documentary filmmakers present a world of stories – each illuminating, unmissable and urgent. 

Sydney Film Festival is proud to present the annual Documentary Australia Award, supported by Documentary Australia. This prize acknowledges excellence in Australian documentary production. As well as receiving a $20,000 cash prize courtesy of Documentary Australia, the winning film becomes Academy Award eligible. 

Previous winners: Songs Inside (2025), Welcome to Babel (2024), Marungka Tjalatjunu (Dipped in Black) (2023), Keep Stepping (2022), I’m Wanita (2021), Descent (2020), She Who Must Be Loved (2019), Ghosthunter (2018), The Pink House (2017), In the Shadow of the Hill (2016), Only the Dead (2015), 35 Letters (2014), Buckskin (2013), Killing Anna (2012), Life in Movement (2011), The Snowman (2010), A Good Man (2009) and Contact (2009). 

Guest
Documentary
Mockbuster
An Australian filmmaker documents his struggle to fulfil his dreams via the notorious profit-driven production house The Asylum (Sharknado) in this hilarious audience award winner.
Guest
Documentary
Phenomena
A psychedelic odyssey into the fabric of the universe, complete with hyper-real imagery, immersive practical experiments and ambient music from Nils Frahm and Rival Consoles.
Guest
Documentary
The Piano Tuner
On a rescue mission to save the piano, a passionate piano tuner meets a diverse mix of owners and their pianos – revealing their stories and relationship with the instrument.
Guest
Documentary
Replica
Three women, disillusioned by the realities of life and relationships in modern China, turn to AI for love and connection in this insightful, award-winning documentary.
Guest
Documentary
Rodeo Dreams
The story of four young Australian bull riders as they follow their dreams across Queensland's Gulf Country to win the prestigious yet cash-strapped Mount Isa Rodeo.
Documentary
Silenced 1
This post #MeToo documentary reveals how defamation laws are weaponised to silence survivors. Featuring human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, Amber Heard and Brittany Higgins.
Guest
Documentary
Sukundimi Walks Before Me
This powerful doc follows an Indigenous PNG community’s campaign to preserve their future, when the Sepik River, ‘the Amazon of the Asia-Pacific’, is threatened by mining.
Guest
Documentary
Time and Tide
Contemporary China is seen through the eyes of a multigenerational family navigating the pressures of familial obligation in this compelling, hybrid docu-drama.
Guest
Documentary
Whistle
An offbeat Aussie crowd pleaser following the world’s greatest whistling competition, from the eccentric competitors to passionate devotees, as egos clash and notes soar. Toronto 2025.
Guest
Documentary
Yumburra
A lyrical portrait of Bruce Pascoe in the aftermath of Dark Emu living on his riverside farm, recharging and reflecting, as he tests out the theories proposed in his book.
Aboriginal FlagTorres Strait Flag

Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

Don’t miss a thing!

Whether you’re in Sydney or one of our rural locations, sign up to our newsletters for all the latest news and offers.

SFF
About
Support
General Enquiries
Ticketing Enquiries
Office Hours

MONDAY – FRIDAY: 9AM – 5PM AEDT

Discover
Follow
In Partnership With:
Website by ED.

Don't miss a thing!

Whether you're in Sydney or one of our rural locations, sign up to our newsletters for all the latest news and offers.