Sydney Film Festival returns to the Orpheum

The Sydney Film Festival is back for its 73rd edition, running 3-14 June 2026. For another year the Hayden Orpheum, Cremorne will be the hub of the festival on the North Shore, screening 25 different films. Here are the films you can catch at the Orpheum this film festival: The American Dream Directed by Anthony Marciano – In this joyous buddy movie from the producers of The Intouchables, two French outsiders brave all obstacles to achieve their dream of breaking into the world of professional basketball. Arru Directed by Elle Sofe Sara – In this powerful, song-filled drama, a Sámi reindeer herder confronts a mining project threatening her ancestral lands and way of life. Behind the Palm Tree Directed by Maryem Benm’Barek – Cannes award-winning filmmaker Meryem Benm’Barek charts the risky affair of an opportunistic Moroccan man and a wealthy French woman. The Birthday Party Directed by Lea Mysius – Straight from the Cannes Competition, this taut thriller stars Hafsia Herzi and Monica Bellucci as neighbours whose plans for a pleasant birthday party go badly awry. Boss Cat Directed by Genevieive Clay-Smith – A rousing World Premiere about family, friendship and the power of krumping. A heartwarming Sydney production made with an inclusive cast and crew from Bus Stop Films. Clay-Smith will be at the Orpheum for this screening. Dead Men’s Wire Directed by Gus Wan Sant – Bill Skarsgård, Dacre Montgomery and Al Pacino star in a thrilling, true account of a 1977 hostage standoff in Indiana, USA. The Death of Robin Hood Directed by Michael Sarnoski – Hugh Jackman stars alongside Jodie Comer in this radical and brutal reimagining of the Robin Hood tale in which he’s anything but a hero. The Fox Directed by Dario Russo – Jai Courtney and Emily Browning star alongside Olivia Colman as a talking fox and Sam Neill as a magpie in this absurdly comic Australian folktale Gentle Monster Directed by Marie Kreutzer – Léa Seydoux stars as Lucy, a renowned pianist, in an emotionally charged study of a wife and mother forced to confront the unthinkable about her husband. The Good Boy Directed by Jan Komasa – Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough star as a couple who kidnap a young delinquent with the aim of training him to become a ‘good boy’. Hen Directed by Gyorgy Palfi – An amazingly courageous hen is the star of this beguiling survival drama. Late Fame Directed by Kent Jones – Former poet, now postman, Ed (Willem Dafoe) has his work rediscovered by a group of NYC poseurs in this clever and engrossing film, also starring Greta Lee. Mama Directed by Or Sinai – Or Sinai’s debut feature centres on a migrant housekeeper in Israel who is confronted by changing family dynamics on a rare visit to her home in Poland. The Man I Love Directed by Ira Sachs – A moving and sensual romantic drama set during the AIDS crisis 1980s New York, starring Rami Malek, Tom Sturridge, Luther Ford and Rebecca Hall. Parallel Tales Directed by Asghar Farhadi – A layered, complex drama about a writer using surveillance for inspiration, with an all-star French cast of Isabelle Huppert, Vincent Cassel and Catherine Deneuve. Pressure Directed by Anthony Maras – Andrew Scott and Brendan Fraser star in the true story of one meteorologist’s mighty impact on D-Day. An edge-of-your-seat view of a world-changing event. Queen at Sea Directed by Lance Hammer – Juliette Binoche stars as Amanda who is deeply divided with her stepfather on the issue of care for Amanda’s mother who suffers from advanced dementia. Queen Kelly Directed by Erich von Strohelm – After almost a century, visionary silent director Erich von Stroheim’s lavish and unwieldy final film is restored and reimagined, starring the great Gloria Swanson. A victim of the censorious Hays Code, the film was never completed. Rays and Shadows Directed by Xavier Giannoli – Based on true events, starring Oscar winner Jean Dujardin, in an epic tale of collaboration and compromise in Nazi-occupied France. Rose of Nevada Directed by Mark Jenkin – George MacKay and Callum Turner star as a pair of lost and bewildered fishermen in this beguiling time travel mystery. Rosebush Pruning Directed by Karim Alnouz – Elle Fanning, Callum Turner, Riley Keough and Jamie Bell star in Karim Aïnouz’s stylish, savage family satire about the coddled existence of four wealthy siblings. Sundays Directed by Alauda Ruiz de Azua – Bright 17-year-old Ainara surprises everyone by trialling convent life in this piercing drama about faith and family. The Wizard of the Kremlin Directed by Olivier Assayas – Paul Dano, Jude Law, Alicia Vikander and Jeffrey Wright star in political thriller about the rise of Vladimir Putin. Yellow Letters Directed by İlker Çatak – A family descends into turmoil after a simple act of disobedience triggers authoritarian persecution. Yesterday Island Directed by Sam Voutas – Hapless Amos is tricked onto an island with a time loop where the day never ends. Who can he lure to take his place? Let’s start with the ex-wife. A quirky, dark Aussie comedy.