Best of Sunshine State
Sunday 12 October 2025
9.30am to 11.00am
Gympie Cinema, Monkland Street Gympie Qld 4570
Celebrate the creativity of Queensland with this showcase of locally made films highlighting diverse voices across our home state.
We had so many solid gold films to choose from this year we made two special sessions. If you love these films, and this “Best of” selection are the Festival Director picks from the two sessions.
And the Ocean Agreed
Australia
14 Minutes
Directed by Tanya Modini
Produced by Tanya Modini, Stephanie Dower, Luisa Martiri
Written by Tanya Modini
Vina is fading away, lost to dementia, but on a rare outing to the ocean, she finds herself and a chance for freedom.
Strawberry Cheesecake
Australia
9 minutes
Directed by Sean L. McParland
Produced by Dianna La Grassa and Diana Fisk
Written by Sean L. McParland
An ice cream cart, a sunset, and a shared memory—two strangers rediscover a connection that speaks louder than words.
The Oldest Heart
Australia
14 minutes
Directed by Jessica Sherlock
Produced by Jessica Sherlock
Written by Jessica Sherlock
The Oldest Heart is a short documentary that follows the inspiring journey of Australia’s oldest female amateur boxer, Lyn Joy Mills, who at 71, embarks on an extraordinary journey toward her first official fight.
a film about my dad
Australia
20 minutes
Directed by Daniel Jeppesen-Field
Produced by Daniel Jeppesen-Field
Written by Daniel Jeppesen-Field
A short documentary exploring the past, present and future of my dad, through the lens of our relationship as father and son.
Beyond the Waves
Australia
7 minutes
Directed by Oliver Marsden, Karen Jackson
Produced by Oliver Marsden, Karen Jackson
Written by Joy Nomani, Hayden Keable, Sonya Doust, Andrew Barton
When a wary, neuro-diverse boy watches his adventurous four-legged best friend get swept off a Far North Queensland beach in a storm, he must go on a courageous journey beyond the waves and into a world of unexpected magic, with the help of an enchanting Lightning Monster, if he is to reunite with his best friend.
Where the Girls Are
Australia
6 minutes
Directed by Zion Poy and Lukas Schulz
Produced by Zion Poy
Written by Zion Poy
A short documentary by 17 year old Zion Poy on one of the first female longboard surfers in Australia, Noosa local Lynette Clemitson.