Ranking in BFI’s Sight & Sound’s Top 50 Films of 2021, James Vaughan’s debut feature, Friends and Strangers explores displacement and disconnection in contemporary Australia.

Part absurdist comedy, part satire of colonial accidie, the film follows directionless twenty-somethings Ray and Alice as they navigate a series of prosaic but increasingly agonising situations.

Afraid to think deeply about the past and unable to look forward with confidence, the film presents a culture snared by its own affluence and moral cowardice in a meaningless and interminable present.

Runtime: 84 minutes

Format: 2k Digital / Arri Alexa / 1.85:1

Australian sales and distribution: Bonsai Films

North American distribution: Grasshopper Films

Streaming: MUBI

 

World Premiere
50th International Film Festival Rotterdam 2021


Domestic Festivals
Melbourne International Film Festival, Melbourne 2021
Sydney Film Festival, Sydney 2021
Brisbane International Film Festival, Brisbane 2021
Gold Coast Film Festival, Gold Coast 2021
Screen Wave Film Festival, Coffs Harbour 2021


Int’l Festivals
New Directors/New Films Festival, New York USA 2021
Jeonju International Film Festival, Jeonju South Korea 2021
Chicago Film Festival, Chicago USA 2021
Black Canvas, Mexico City Mexico 2021
Wisconsin Film Festival, Wisconsin USA 2021
Beijing International Film Festival, Beijing China 2021
Cinemajove, Valencia, Spain 2021
New Holland Island Film Festival, St Petersburg Russia 2021
Echo Film Festival, St Petersburg Russia 2021
Cinemancia, Colombia 2021
Festifreak, La Plata Argentina 2021
Lima Alterna Film Festival, Lima Peru 2021
Dohok International Film Festival, Iraq 2021
Asian Film Festival, Barcelona Spain 2021
Cormeran Film Festival, Acuna Spain 2021
Zsigmond Vilmos Film Festival, Hungary 2022


Awards
Jury Prize- Jeonju Int’l Film Festival, South Korea 2021
Audience Award (4th) – Sydney Film Festival , Australia 2021