
2025 • 1h 50m • Drama
Brought to you by
Blue Harbor Distribution
Availability
Available Worldwide except US
Brought to you by
Blue Harbor Distribution
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About the film
Lou Wells has hit rock bottom after a promising start to her Hollywood career. Now broke and aimless, she reluctantly accepts a plane ticket from her estranged father, Rory to return home to South Australia’s ruggedly beautiful Kangaroo Island. As years of unresolved tension start to resurface, the reunion turns even more complicated when Lou and her sister Freya learn about Rory’s secret.
Awards & recognition
Grand Prix - Best Picture - London Frames International Film Festival
Winner: Grand Prix for Best Film 2026
Nominated Best International Feature Film - Seattle Film Festival
Nominee: Best International Feature Film 2025
Best Australian Director - London Director Awards
Winner: Best Australian Director - London Director Awards 2025
Best Debut Feature - Montreal Independent Film Festival
Winner Best Narrative Film: First Time Filmmaker
Film Critics Circle of Australia
Nominated - Best Picture, Best actress, Best supporting actress, Best Score
Chelsea Film Festival
Closing Film 2025
Adelaide Film Festival
Closing Film 2024
Grand Prix - Best Director - London Frames International Film Festival
Winner: Best Director - London Frames International Film Festival 2026
What people are saying
‘Life, death, God: The small film tackling the biggest questions Husband and wife team Timothy David and Sally Gifford’s Kangaroo Island is a small but perfectly judged film about some Very Big Topics. It’s potentially heavy stuff, but handled with a deftness of touch and perfectly judged comedy that is utterly impressive given this is the debut feature of both Gifford and David, a veteran of the New York advertising world.‘
Karl Quinn
‘With its world-class performances and breathtaking locations, Kangaroo Island was the perfect choice for the closing-night gala of the Adelaide Film Festival. While local audiences will be thrilled to spot well-known haunts such as Snellings Beach, Stokes Bay, the Vivonne Bay General Store and even the airports in Adelaide and Kingscote, it is even more exciting to think about how the local places and wild species we treasure will be viewed by the rest of the world, showcased as they are in this stunning piece of cinema.‘
Rachael Mead
‘“We wanted to create a bold and philosophical film that explores our reality that life is as beautiful as it is traumatic,” said director Tim David. “And how people deal with that determines the quality of their life and relationships.” “The film has a lot of depth in contrast to the majority of cinema today where too many mistakes edgy subject matter for interesting story.” Kangaroo Island showcases not only a powerful human story but also the natural splendour of one of the world’s most unique destinations.‘
Staff
‘Five Stars: The best Australian film in a long while, KANGAROO ISLAND is a rich, multi layered story, intelligently written, deftly directed and beautifully acted.‘
Richard Cotter
‘"KANGAROO ISLAND" is an excellent indie drama & is now playing in U.S. theaters! Exceptionally well-written & directed by TIMOTHY DAVID with amazing performanc from REBECCA BREEDS & @AdelaideClem feels like an Australian "Sentimental Value — SEE IT!‘
Scott Mantz
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