Mackay International Film Festival - 31st July - 2nd August

Film & Arts Mackay Inc presents the 14th Mackay International Film Festival with an exciting program of 7 films from Spain, Morocco, Colombia, Germany, South Korea, North Macedonia, Australia, the Philippines and the UK.

FRIDAY, 31ST JULY - 7PM - Opening Night GALA Event

CALLE MALAGA

Director: Maryam Touzani2025 | GERMANY, BELGIUM, MOROCCO, SPAIN, FRANCE | 1hr 56mins | M | Spanish and Arabic with English subtitles

From award-winning director Maryam Touzani (The Blue Caftan, Mackay IFF 2023) comes a warm, life-affirming story of María Ángeles, a spirited 79-year-old who has spent her life in Tangier’s Spanish quarter, cherishing the freedom and rhythm of her home. When her daughter returns intent on selling the family apartment, María refuses to be displaced, mounting a quiet but determined fight to protect the place—and the memories—that define her. 

SCREENING WITH SHORT FILM: REEL PEOPLE: THE STORY OF FILM & ARTS MACKAY (9 mins)JOIN US FOR REFRESHMENTS AFTER THE SCREENING

SATURDAY, 1ST AUGUST - 12.00PM

A POET

Director: Simón Mesa Soto

2025 | Colombia | 2hrs | Unclassified 15+ | Spanish with English subtitles

In Medellín, Óscar is an erratic, hard-drinking failed writer, drifting through life and clinging to the cliché of the tortured artist. When he discovers real talent in a young student, he seizes a chance at redemption as her mentor—but his own chaotic instincts threaten to undo them both. 

Screening with short film CANE TOAD (4 mins) by Mackay-born animation creator Andrew Silke

SATURDAY, 1ST AUGUST - 3.00PM

SOUND OF FALLINGDirector: Mascha Schilinski 2025 | GERMANY | 2hrs 35mins | MA15+| German with English subtitles

Winner of the 2025 Cannes Jury Prize, SOUND OF FALLING is a haunting and lyrical portrait of four girls — Alma, Erika, Angelika and Lenka — who each come of age on the same farm in northern Germany across different decades of the 20th century. 

SATURDAY, 1ST AUGUST - 6.30PM

NO OTHER CHOICE

Director: Park Chan-wook

2025 | South Korea | 2hrs 19mins | M | Korean with English subtitles

When devoted paper-mill manager Yoo Man-su is abruptly laid off after decades of loyal service, his carefully built life begins to unravel. Desperate to secure a new position—and protect his family—he hatches a darkly comic, increasingly dangerous plan to eliminate his competition. SUNDAY, 2ND AUGUST - 11.30AM

THE TALE OF SILYAN

Director: Tamara Kotevska

2025 | North Macedonia | 1hr 20mins | PG | Macedonian with English subtitles

This uplifting, visually arresting story from Oscar®-nominated director Tamara Kotevska (HONEYLAND, Film & Arts Mackay, Feb 2021) is set in rural North Macedonia where farmer Nikola faces mounting economic hardship and the loss of his family to migration. When he rescues an injured white stork named Silyan, an unexpected bond forms, bringing renewed purpose and quiet healing to his life. 

Screening with short film THE HOIST (12 mins) by Sunshine Coast-based Director Janneke Williamson and Writer Emma MorganSUNDAY, 2ND AUGUST - 2.00PM

FIRST LIGHT

Director: James J. Robinson

2025 | Australia /Philippines | 1hr 58mins | M | Tagalog with English subtitlesPresented in partnership with The Mackay Filipino-Australian Community Inc, Film & Arts Mackay Inc warmly invites you to a special screening of the acclaimed debut feature, FIRST LIGHT, with an afternoon showcasing community and food by Mackay’s local Filipino community, film screening followed by a Q&A with cast member, artistic photographer and producer Emmanuel Santos.Set in the mountains of northern Luzon, First Light follows Sister Yolanda, an elderly nun whose quiet devotion is shaken after the mysterious death of a young construction worker unsettles her remote community. SUNDAY, 2ND AUGUST - 6.00PM

SUNLIGHT

Director: Nina Conti2024 | UK | 1hr 36mins | 15+ | English language

In New Mexico, a derailed radio host and a woman living inside a monkey suit collide in an unexpected, absurd, and oddly tender road trip. Roy, pulled back from the brink by Jane, joins her on a chaotic journey to reclaim a buried family heirloom and, perhaps, a second chance at life.

More information at:
https://filmartsmackay.weebly.com/