The sixth London Australian Film Festival draws to a close with the European Premiere of THE ROOSTER, the brilliant debut feature from actor turned writer-director Mark Leonard Winter (Escape from Pretoria, The Dressmaker). 

An intimate psychological drama about grief, growth, and unlikely friendships, this gripping (and often surprising) film features Phoenix Raei as a country cop, whose struggle to cope with the death of a childhood friend leads him into the orbit of Hugo Weaving’s grizzled and grumpy hermit. 

Shot in the atmospheric forests of Victoria’s Hepburn Shire, and with a beguiling soundtrack to match, a multitude of mysteries unravel between two men haunted by the ghosts of lives past. This is genre-defying, character-based drama at its finest, with Weaving turning in one of his greatest performances to date.

This closing gala will also see Mark Leonard Winter (writer-director) and Geraldine Hakewill (producer) awarded with the Cris Jones Prize, which honours outstanding debut feature by Australian filmmakers. Presented in honour of British-Australian filmmaker Cris Jones, whose debut The Death and Life of Otto Bloom closed our inaugural festival in 2017, previous debut feature nominees have included Imogen McCluskey (Suburban Wildlife, LAFF 2019), Renée Webster (How To Please A Woman, LAFF 2022), and Jub Clerc (Sweet As, LAFF 2023).

This special Closing Gala event will feature a pre-recorded Q&A with the filmmakers. Australian snacks and sweets will be on sale, and a raffle will be held before the screening.

With thanks to Yellow Affair.

Winner of Best Direction in a Debut Feature Film (Australian Directors’ Guild Awards) and Best Supporting Actor – Hugo Weaving (AACTA Awards).

“Weaving has rarely, perhaps never, been better.” – The Age (Karl Quinn)

“Mark Leonard Winter’s visionary storytelling proves that he is not just a talented actor, but a genuine filmmaker.” – Cinema Australia (Matthew Eeles)

WHY WE CHOSE THIS FILM
Laila (Director): "We are so proud to award this stunning film our Cris Jones Debut Directors Prize. The direction is sublime. The cinematography is exceptional. And, OMG if you think Hugo is one of Australia’s gems, then you need to see this. Mr Weaving has long been a favourite actor of mine (before The Matrix, Proof was in my top 10), and this is him strutting his finest acting chops. An extraordinary depiction of desperation, mental health and male bonding. Was gripped from start to finish. For me, the prize was a no-brainer"

Stephen (LAFF Co-Programmer): “When I watched this brilliant film it immediately leapt to the head of the queue for the Cris Jones Debut Prize. Hugo and Phoenix are utterly brilliant on screen, and first-time director Mark and producer Geraldine have crafted an absolutely beautiful film that will have you enthralled from the very start.”