Film School
1 July, 2020
Just as the first pandemic shutdown eased, Daybreak Films director Rhys Graham embarked on a collaboration with musician and producer Joel Ma (who we've worked with for his Joelistics works in the past) for his new project 'Film School'.
The project, centring on a 15 minute dance film drawing on yokai myths to explore the idea of a spirit world returning to the empty streets, is a collaboration with butoh dancer Yumi Umiumare, performance artist and dancer Tony Yap, dancer MaggZ and artist and musician Elle Shimada.
Filmed in nume…
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Set Fire To Me
17 July, 2020
One of our favourite collaborators, composer Flynn Wheeler, has a new band and project called Taxes and we've been talking for some time about doing something stripped back and emotive for the first single Set Fire To Me.
So, in one of our friends' bars, we created a clip where, on the one hand, he plays alone to a handful of people and a backing tape - filmed simply and starkly - and on the other hand, some of the director's light paintings made up of interplaying neon tubes intercut with the performance to deconstruct the beauty o…
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Prix de Jeunesse
12 June, 2020
The Netflix & ABC series 'The Unlisted' has won the International Youth Jury Prize in the 11-15 Fiction category at Prix Jeunesse, and has also placed as runner up in the same category judged by the professional jury. Created by Justine Flynn of Buster Productions and produced by Polly Staniford and Angie Fielder of Aquarius films, Rhys Graham of Daybreak Films was the set-up director of the series, as well as writing some of the episodes. The series follows twins Dru and Kal as they uncover an ominous organisation bent on controlling…
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Space
1st June, 2020
Just as the pandemic lockdown loosened, in the few weeks before the second wave, Daybreak was able to form a small film crew to film a music video for Hands Like Houses for their song Space. Working with actor Yiana Pandelis to explore a narrative of isolation, searching out a place to call home, and finding new ways to communicate, we found some beautiful old motel locations and some wonderful collaborators to create this expansive vision of the world of the song.
With cinematography on vintage anamorphic lenses by Jensen Cope and …
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Quarantine Portraits
10 May, 2020
During the Covid-19 lockdown in Melbourne, Daybreak filmmaker and photographer Rhys Graham embarked on taking a series of portraits of those in isolation or quarantine, facing solitude and social distance. Through windows, doors, over fences, always at a safe distance, this series of photographic portraits captures individuals as they pass through the periods of solitude forced on us all during the Covid pandemic.
As the project grew, Rhys began collaborating with old friend, Sydney photographer to make companion works in and around…
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The Unlisted Launches
September 15, 2019
The Netflix and ABC Series 'The Unlisted' drops this week on ABC in Australia and on Netflix worldwide. This series, created by Justine Flynn and produced by Aquarius Films, tells the story of twins Dru and Kal as they investigate Kal’s strange abilities and happenings in their school when their class is signed up to a scheme run by the mysterious Infinity Group, along with discovering four other kids who are currently in hiding from the same group. Rhys Graham of Daybreak Films was a writer on the series as well as working as set up …
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No Time For Quiet at MIFF 2019
12 July, 2019
Daybreak editor Natalie Nalesnyik, who collaborated with Film Camp as an additional editor, is excited to announce the feature documentary No Time For Quiet will premiere at MIFF 2019. The film has also been picked up by ABC to appear on ABC iview throughout 2020. The doco, directed by Hylton Shaw and Samantha Dinning, follows 40 girls and gender diverse teens who gather for the first GIRLS ROCK! Melbourne camp. Through the camp, and months after, 5 participants find their sense of belonging and identity through rock’n’roll. Featurin…
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Transitions Film Festival presents Ranger to Ranger
1 February, 2019
On Tuesday March 5 at Melbourne's Cinema Nova, Transitions Film Festival will be hosting a link with the director of the Thin Green Line Sean Willmore and film editor Natalie Nalesnyik from Daybreak Films.
The festival which runs from 20 Feb – 6 March showcases groundbreaking documentaries about the social and technological innovations, revolutionary ideas and trailblazing changemakers that are leading the way to a better world.
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Nali and Friends
30 January, 2019
We've had a little secret project in the works for some time. After travelling in Africa together, Daybreak director Rhys Graham and acclaimed musician Dan Sultan decided to write a series of songs and stories for children. The first part of this project is now out!
An album called Nali and Friends with songs by Dan and stories by Rhys and some very cute accompanying music videos which you can see below. It's been fun to make stuff for the little peeps in our lives.
The album is released via ABC Kids and is available to purchase on…
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Ranger to Ranger
1 September, 2018
Ranger to Ranger, a labour of love in the form of a 60 minute documentary film made alongside the extraordinary Thin Green Line Foundation - who support frontline rangers across the world - is now finished.
In late 2017, Rhys accompanied a group of indigenous rangers and Thin Green Line ambassador Dan Sultan to Uganda and Kenya as they met and shared knowledge with Masai Rangers and frontline rangers working in diverse habitats and confronting profound sacrifice in the name of conservation. The result is a film that takes us into th…
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Dance of Language documentary in production
1 January 2018
We are excited to be underway in shooting a new feature documentary in Madrid directed by Rhys Graham. The Dance of Language is a documentary that explores the provocative creative collaboration between powerhouse Australian playwright Andrew Bovell and Madrid theatre collective Numero0 during a time of political upheaval in Spain.
At the end of 2017, during the Spanish winter, Andrew Bovell arrives in a rehearsal space of Madrid’s Matadero (abattoir) precinct to meet with a group of Madrid’s finest theatrical talents. At the peak of…
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Daybreak Director Judging at Slemani Film Festival
17th October, 2018
Daybreak director Rhys Graham was honoured to be invited to the Slemani International Film Festival in Kurdistan, northern Iraq, as a judge for the international competition.
The jury members also included directors Carolyn MacDonald (US), Ghassan Abdullah (Syria), Kazım Öz (Turkey),as well as Indian film critic Premendra Mazumder.
Among the awarded prizes, the Jury special award was given to “Shoplifters” from Japan directed by Hirokazu Kore’eda; best film was awarded to “3 Faces” from Iran by Jafar Panahi, feature director went t…
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Now Sound at MIFF 2018
1 July, 2018
Teaming up with KEWL Productions, Daybreak Films' Natalie Nalesnyik co-edited the feature documentary Now Sound, which will be premiering at MIFF 2018. Guided by a plethora of local artists, the documentary focuses on the vibrant music scene of Melbourne’s inner northern suburbs. Showcasing unique artists and exalting subcultures, Now Sound documents the trials and tribulations that threaten to demolish Melbourne’s iconic music culture. Featuring interviews and performances by Courtney Barnett. King Gizzard, Jen Cloher, Kirin J Calli…
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Bank Australia
1 December 2017
Recently, here at Daybreak Films, along with our lovely pals at Still Rep we've been proud to partner with Bank Australia to create their new campaign. Like most people, our relationship with the big banks is troubled so to work with a genuine community bank whose ethics align with ours has been a pleasure.
Along the way we got to meet some inspiring people working in community
to effect powerful change while making, what we hope, is a beautiful expression of a progressive society demanding more from our relationship with financial…
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Galore & Murundak at FICMY
23 August, 2017
As part of the Festival Internacional de Cine, Merida and Yucatan, director Rhys Graham has been invited as a special guest to present two of his films 'Galore' and 'Murundak' (co-directed with Natasha Gadd) alongside a presentation of a specially curated programme of important contemporary Australian films including works by Ivan Sen, Warwick Thornton, Hollie Fifer & Rolf de Heer.
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Nighthawk
1 October 2017
Some of our closest friends and collaborators, composers Flynn Wheeler and Patch Robertson have a new band among their projects: the 80s drenched summer sleaze rock band Nighthawk. Flynn composed numerous projects for us include the features Galore and The Turning. Patch scored the Berlinale prize winning short Love This Time and we made the feature performance film The Time, The Place for his platinum selling band Motorace. We've worked with Nighthawk over the last year to make a couple of stripped back music videos which we love... …
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Netflix series The Legend of Monkey underway
July 1, 2017
Daybreak director Craig Irvin has recently wrapped production directing and co-writing See Saw productions reimagining of Journey to the West, the endlessly adapted and adaptable 16th Century novel by Wu Cheng'en. Created by Jacqueline Perske for Netflix, ABC and NZTV, this version featuring a cast of Asian, Polynesian and Aus/NZ actors follows, across a 10-part half hour series, a teenage girl and a trio of fallen gods on a perilous journey as they attempt to bring an end to a demonic reign of chaos and restore balance to their world…
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1967 - Music in the Key of Yes at Sydney Festival
18 January, 2017
Over recent months we've been working on a major collaboration, creating a live performance installation of dual screens to accompany the live performers of "1967: Music in the Key of Yes".
In May 1967, as civil rights movements worldwide were at their peak, the referendum to remove passages in the Australian constitution which discriminated against Aboriginal people passed with a ‘Yes’ vote of over 90%.
As we near the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum – a crucial milestone in the ongoing struggle for the rights of Indigenous…
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Una Noche De Verano
1st January, 2017
In late summer 2016, the extraordinary flamenco cuadro Arte Kanela - made up of renowned trio, brothers Johnny Tedesco & Richard Tedesco and Chantelle Cano - hosted an intimate performance in their family bar. Joined by special guests Francesca ‘La Chica’ Grima and Andrej Vujicic, direct from Seville, along with regular collaborators Joseph Batrouney and Nathan Slater, Arte Kanela celebrated the living, beating heart of flamenco puro through their fiery compositions and choreography.
Daybreak director Rhys Graham (Galore, Murundak, T…
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Galore Now Available on VOD Worldwide
2 April, 2016
We're pleased to announce that the feature film Galore, directed by Rhys Graham and produced by Philippa Campey of Film Camp is now available on demand via iTunes and Google Play in the USA, UK, Canada as well as Australia and New Zealand.
For more information follow our Galore facebook page.
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Dirtsong & The Shadow King touring London
1 March, 2016
In May and June, Daybreak Films will be appearing in London as two major projects we've been involved in tour to The Barbican.
At the Barbican on the 4th and 5th of May, it will be possible to see the epic and stirring Dirtsong - a major project of the Black Arm Band - which features over an hour of specially created film directed and photographed by Rhys Graham & Natasha Gadd to accompany beautiful and haunting songs sung in a number of indigenous languages from around Australia.
From 22 June-July 2 at the Barbican is The Shadow K…
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In Conversation with Benny Safdie
12 August, 2015
As part of 2015 Melbourne International Film Festival, a festival Daybreak has long been involved in and which has supported plenty of our projects and screenings, Daybreak director Rhys Graham will be conducting a Talking Pictures session, a conversation with director Benny Safdie, as part of a presentation of Safdie Brothers films at MIFF this year.
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Music Victoria Membership Campaign
3 April, 2015
Daybreak Films has teamed up with Music Victoria to create their 2015 Membership campaign media.
We filled the studios with a bunch of Victoria's musical legends and some our favourites including Dan Sultan, Adalita, Joelistics, Matt Young from King Parrot, Animaux and Venue Owner, James Young.
Stay tuned for a link to the clip!
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Emma Donovan & The Putbacks 'Dawn'
10 December, 2014
Last week we had the joy of filming a new music video for the incredible soul singer Emma Donovan collaborating with supergroup band, the Putbacks, for their latest single ‘Dawn’. It was such a pleasure to work with Emma again as well as to collaborate with actor Rhimi Johnstone-Page and dancer Tina DeMelo who performed in the clip. Shout outs to our legendary crew including DOP Campbell Hynam-Smith, Jensen Cope, designer Zohie Castellano, producer Natalie Nalesnyik, and Tania Nalesnyik.
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Joelistics 'Out of the Blue'
11 November, 2014
We recently had the pleasure of filming a new music video for local artist Joelistics for his new single ‘Out of the Blue’. This song is so full of heart that it seemed fitting to cast actors Lily Sullivan and Aliki Matangi - who featured in Rhys Graham’s 'Galore' – to portray the young teen lovers. Thanks go to our dope team of fearless collaborators including Stefan Duscio, Zohie Castellano, Alex Cardy, Josh Aylett, Natalie Nalesnyik, Toby Wallace, Elijah Tovio, Nikki Avio and Ella Bancroft.
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The Turning in Berlin
Feb 12, 2014
Attending the Berlinale to premiere his feature film 'Galore', Daybreak director Rhys Graham was also present for the premiere out of competition of the epic Arenamedia produced omnibus film 'The Turning' based on Tim Winton's book. With a co-direction team including Rob Connolly, Tony Ayres, Mia Wasikowska, Warwick Thornton, Justin Kurzel, David Wehnham and Jub Clerc it was a rowdy red carpet and very hungover press conference.
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Berlinale Premieres Galore
Feb 10, 2014
Wild times. The Berlinale premiere of Galore has arrived! A packed theatre of 1000 people and our stars - the beautiful and brilliant young actors Aliki Matangi, Ashleigh Cummings, Lily Sullivan and Toby Wallace - in attendance in Berlin. Nothing could be greater than premiering our film on the famous red carpet of Berlinale. We can't thank enough those of you who helped get us here.
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Galore Wraps Shooting
7 December, 2012
After an incredible 5 weeks shooting on location in and around Canberra, our feature film Galore has finally wrapped. We are exhausted and blissed out and madly in love with our entire team, cast and crew.
Check out a bunch of behind the scenes photographs on the director's blog.
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Festival TV 2012
1 November, 2012
Again this year, Daybreak Films partnered with STUDIO TV to deliver a number of short documentaries about the many extraordinary artists and productions that form the 2012 Melbourne Festival of the Arts.
Our core team was joined by director Kasimir Burgess and producer Mary Minas to create many of these elegant arts documentaries and the subjects included photographer Gregory Crewdson, Billy Bragg, Big Freedia and the productions House of Dreaming, The Minotaur Trilogy and Chunky Move's An Act of Now.
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Murundak wins Gran Prix at FIFO
1 February, 2012
MURUNDAK – SONGS OF FREEDOM was awarded the GRAND PRIX by the international jury of the 9th FIFO – Festival International du Film Documentaire Océanien held from the 6th – 12th of February in Tahiti.
Co–directors Natasha Gadd and Rhys Graham said of the award “It was always our hope as filmmakers that MURUNDAK – SONGS OF FREEDOM could honour the journey of The Black Arm Band in sharing the songs and stories of Aboriginal Australia with audiences around the world. It is extremely rewarding for the band and our team to know that the s…
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Premio Tiempo de Historia
1 November, 2011
'murundak - Songs of Freedom' was one of only twelve films included in the prestigious Tiempo de Historia section at the 56th Seminci (Semana Internacional de Cine) in Valladolid, Spain. Co-directors Rhys Graham and Natasha Gadd were supported by Film Victoria to attend the festival and were on hand for the gala closing night when murundak was given the top prize in the documentary section - Primer Premio de Tiempo de Historia - by the international jury comprised of Pilar Pérez Solano, Laurence Jourdan & Kees Ryninks. They were also …
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