Beat the Lotto

Directed by Ross Whitaker
Ireland
2025
80 mins

Synopsis

A rip-roaring tale about the mathematician who, along with a ragtag syndicate, plotted to fix Ireland’s National Lottery in 1992, captivating the nation and sparking rabid debate.

In Ireland, the public became obsessed when the National Lottery arrived, none more so than mathematician and avid stamp-collector Stefan Klincewicz. Using mathematical analysis, he reckoned the system could be beaten if he could just gather enough people to form a syndicate to buy every single ticket combination – and front up all the cash, of course. Director Ross Whitaker fashions this unbelievable true story into a gripping thriller, mirroring the tension felt by the public as the lottery authorities caught wind of the plan. With insightful interviews and fantastic archival footage, the film is a look back at Ireland in the 1990s and a compelling tale of one man’s attempt to outsmart the system.

Limited seats are available for patrons requiring access for wheelchairs, low vision and hearing loop. Please contact our ticketing team directly on 1300 733 733 or tickets@sff.org.au to complete your booking.

Whitaker’s film unexpectedly plays out like some sort of rural Ocean’s 11. Nicely pitched for a dramatic remake, Beat the Lotto is a ripping yarn from a director who’s good at telling them.
Fionnuala Halligan, Screen International

Tickets

Sat 7 June 2025, 6pm
Ritz Cinemas Randwick - Cinema 3
WheelchairAssisted Listening
Mon 9 June 2025, 4:15pm
Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 11
WheelchairAssisted Listening
  • Program Strand
  • Year
    2025
  • Classification
    Unclassified 15+
  • Country
    Ireland
  • Language
    In English
  • Director
    Ross Whitaker
  • Producer
    Aideen O’Sullivan, Ross Whitaker
  • Cinematographer
    Alex Sapienza
  • Editor
    Nathan Nugent
  • Genre
  • Premiere
    International Premiere
  • Company Credits
    World Sales: Metfilm Sales
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Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

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