Fwends

Directed by Sophie Somerville

Australia

2025

92 mins

Two besties reunite over a weekend in Melbourne in this freewheeling, fast-talking buddy comedy about modern female friendship. A buoyant, Berlinale prize winning feature debut.

Taking a breather from her Sydney lawyer job, Em heads to Melbourne to reconnect with her old friend Jessie for the weekend. Where Jessie's head is in the clouds, Em is decidedly more level-headed. From the city to the inner north, the two twentysomethings walk and talk, bonding over office horror stories, breakups and existential crises. Long takes and meaty monologues lend a distinct vulnerability to this tale of modern female friendship from two-time Dendy Award-winning filmmaker Sophie Somerville (for Peeps, SFF 2021, and linda 4 eva, SFF 2023). Fwends, her feature debut and winner of the Berlinale Forum’s Caligari Film Prize for innovation, is a prickly and perceptive slice of mumblecore, Australian style.

Sessions at Sydney Opera House are available for SFF Flexipass redeems only until 12pm the day prior to the event. Please see our Terms & Conditions for full details.

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“At a breathtaking pace, the improvised conversations draw us into a maelstrom of single-mindedness and disorientation, climate change and mental health, nihilism and clown costumes. And all within the space of an overnight visit”

Jury statement, Caligari Film Prize

“Somerville paints a loving portrait of the city of Melbourne as two old friends banter and bicker their way to a better understanding of each other, and themselves”

Ester Bovard, Universal Cinema

Jury statement, Caligari Film Prize

Special Guests

Sophie Somerville

Director, Screenwriter

Sophie Somerville is a writer and director based in Melbourne, Australia. She graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in 2019. Her short Peeps (2019) premiered at Telluride Film Festival and has had a successful run at various festivals including Sydney Film Festival. Her latest short LINDA 4 EVA (2023) was selected at Sydney Film Festival where it won Best Director as part of the Dendy Awards for Short FIlms.

Tickets

Sat 7 June 2025, 5:45pm

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Sydney Opera House Playhouse

Sydney Opera House

Sun 8 June 2025, 8pm

Dendy Newtown - Cinema 1

Tue 10 June 2025, 6:30pm

Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 9

Event George St - Cinema 9

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Program Strand
Features
Year
2025
Classification
Unclassified 15+
Country
Australia
Language
In English and French with English subtitles
Director
Sophie Somerville
Producer
Sophie Somerville, Carter Looker, Sarah Hegge-Taylor
Cast
Melissa Gan, Emmanuelle Mattana
Screenwriter
Sophie Somerville, Emmanuelle Mattana, Melissa Gan
Cinematographer
Carter Looker
Editor
Sophie Somerville
Genre
Award Winner, Women Directors, Australian, Women’s Stories
Premiere
Australian Premiere
Company Credits
Production Company: Excellent Friends & Future Success! Pty Ltd

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

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