Watch the most anticipated Australian film of the year at Sydney Film Festival’s Opening Night

• Sydney Film Festival returns in June for its 72nd annual celebration of cinema.
• The Opening Night film has been announced and it stars real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie.
• State Theatre and cinemas in the CBD, Newtown, Cremorne, Randwick and more will host 11 days of events.
• READ MORE: A 14-hour documentary is coming to Sydney Film Festival 2025

Autumn in Sydney brings some of the country’s best arts and culture festivals to the Harbour City. There’s Vivid Sydney, Sydney Writers’ Festival and the Biennale on alternating years, for example. Returning for 11 days in June, Sydney Film Festival is one of the best cultural offerings of the season, bringing the city to life with the bright lights of the big screen.

We’ve had a few program announcements, such as that 14-hour documentary, but now we know the Opening Night film. And it continues the festival’s fascination with body-horror, which began with last year’s screening of The Substance before it became an Oscar-winner.

SFF72 Opening Night

Australian writer-director Michael Shanks makes his debut with his off-the-wall film Together, which was a breakout hit at Sundance at the start of the year.

Real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie star as long-term love Tim and Millie.

They relocate to the country seeking a quieter life. Millie adapts to the slower pace more easily than Tim, who becomes more codependent as he struggles to adjust. Things start to get strange with staring dogs, unexpected strands of hair and caves all featuring in the story that’s as hilarious as it is unhinged.

Also starring Aussie actor Damon Herriman (Justified and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Together will screen at Sydney Film Festival almost two months before its official Aussie and US cinema release date.

Having Together open Sydney Film Festival is a huge honour. Despite our US leads, this is an Australian film through and through and I’m so proud to showcase what amazing crew and cast we have in our local industry. I got altitude sickness in Utah when the film premiered in Sundance, and thankfully that’s far less likely to happen when it premieres in Sydney

— Writer and director Michael Shanks.

Tickets for the opening night screening are available to book online now.

Don’t miss the Afterparty

After watching one of the most anticipated Australian films of the year, head to Sydney Town Hall for an equally cinematic celebration. Soak up the post-premiere buzz by rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in the industry, as canapés, cocktails and DJ sets create the ultimate afterparty. Take a look at last year’s Opening Night below…

Sydney Film Festival

When: Wednesday, June 4 until Sunday, June 15 2025.
Where: 12 venues across Sydney, including State Theatre, IMAX Sydney and the Art Gallery of NSW.
Price: Vary depending on event. Check online.

For more information and to plan your itinerary, visit sff.org.au

Read more

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• Vivid Sydney to shut down Surry Hills with massive street parties
• Review: Sydney Comedy Festival Gala Night – Laugh? I could have died…