UPDATE - MEDIA RELEASE 30TH APRIL 2025 - FAMILY PROGRAM
The 72nd Sydney Film Festival (4–15 June) today announces the 2025 Screenability program, showcasing six films by filmmakers living with disability, along with two feature films in the Family program, including the Australian Premiere of the live-action How to Train Your Dragon.
“Our Screenability program is a vital part of Sydney Film Festival’s commitment to making the Festival accessible and inviting - to both filmmakers and audiences. Fantastically entertaining films giving insight into the lives of people living with Disability, made by people living with Disability,” said SFF Festival Director Nashen Moodley. “Our Family program exists because we all remember those formative cinema experiences that turned us into lifelong film fans, and we want kids to have that experience at SFF.”
FAMILY FILMS
Bring the whole family to Sydney Film Festival for an unforgettable big-screen adventure, with two new family features.
The magic of dragons returns in How to Train Your Dragon, a live-action reimagining of the beloved animation. On the island of Berk, young Viking Hiccup (Mason Thames, The Black Phone) defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. Directed by three-time Oscar nominee and Golden Globe-winner Dean DeBlois (Lilo & Stitch), with cutting-edge visual effects and an all-star cast including Gerard Butler, this soaring tale of friendship, courage and destiny is a big screen family crowd-pleaser.
Adding a spooky twist to the family fun is Night of the Zoopocalypse, a wildly entertaining, kid-friendly zombie comedy. When a meteor crash turns the animals of Colepepper Zoo into zombies, a grumpy mountain lion (voiced by David Harbour, Stranger Things) and a feisty wolf (Gabbi Kosmidis) must team up to escape the chaos. Executive produced by horror legend Clive Barker (Hellraiser, Candyman), this colourful and hilarious animated adventure introduces younger viewers to the spooky delights of the horror genre.
FILM INFORMATION
FAMILY FILMS
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON
A stunning live-action reimagining of the beloved animation, with plenty of frolics, flying, and fire-breathing dragons on show. A definite big screen family crowd-pleaser.
On the rugged isle of Berk, where Vikings and dragons have been bitter enemies for generations, Hiccup (Mason Thames, The Black Phone), the inventive yet overlooked son of Chief Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler, reprising his voice role from the animated franchise), defies centuries of tradition when he befriends Toothless, a feared Night Fury dragon. As an ancient threat emerges, Hiccup’s friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future. Cutting-edge visual effects and sterling direction from three-time Oscar nominee and Golden Globe-winner Dean DeBlois (Lilo & Stitch) bring the epic adventures of Hiccup and Toothless to life as they discover the true meaning of friendship, courage and destiny.
NIGHT OF THE ZOOPOCALYPSE
An action-packed slice of spooks and laughs about a (kid-friendly) zombie animal uprising in a zoo, featuring a fabulous voice performance from David Harbour (Stranger Things).
When a chunk of meteor slams into the mountain lion exhibit at Colepepper Zoo one fateful night, a virus is unleashed, with the infected animals becoming zombies. Dan the grumpy Mountain Lion (Harbour) and Gracie the wolf (Gabbi Kosmidis) reluctantly team up in an attempt to stay one step ahead of the wonderfully CG-animated fiasco – but as more animals become infected, their chances of escape diminish. Based on a concept from writer and horror icon Clive Barker (originator of the Hellraiser and Candyman series), who also serves as the film’s executive producer, Night of the Zoopocalypse is a colourful, thrilling romp that will introduce younger viewers to the spooky and silly delights of the horror genre.
The 72nd Sydney Film Festival (SFF) will take place from Wednesday 4 June to Sunday 15 June 2025, bringing 12 days and nights of the best in global cinema to Sydney’s silver screens.
From world premieres and exclusive screenings to red carpet events and filmmaker Q&As, this year’s festival promises an unforgettable celebration of storytelling through film.
“As we look ahead to the 72nd Sydney Film Festival, we are thrilled to once again offer dynamic big screen experiences that showcase the very best in contemporary cinema, both from Australia and across the globe,” said SFF Festival Director Nashen Moodley. “Our aim is to present films that captivate, inspire, and resonate deeply with audiences here in Sydney. We can’t wait to share our city’s biggest annual celebration of cinema, filled with bold stories and exceptional filmmaking.”
Festival-goers can expect glamorous premieres, insightful conversations with filmmakers, exclusive parties, and a rich selection of public programs, enhancing the Festival experience beyond the cinema.
The first titles for the 72nd Sydney Film Festival will be announced in April 2025, with the full program set to be unveiled on Wednesday 7 May 2025.
The Festival will be held across Greater Sydney at iconic venues including the State Theatre, Event Cinemas George Street, Dendy Cinemas Newtown, The Ritz Randwick, Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace Cremorne, Palace Cinemas Central and Norton Street, the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney Town Hall, and more, including SFFTV in Martin Place.
Event Details:
Dates: 4-15 June 2025
Location: Greater Sydney