Australia’s Filmbarr Formally Launches With Pair of SXSW Titles

Newly fashioned Australian unbiased manufacturing banner Filmbarr is making its formal debut at SXSW 2026 with two movies within the pageant’s lineup, anchored by the world premiere of psychological thriller “And Her Physique Was By no means Discovered,” whereas concurrently unveiling a four-title slate that spans elevated horror, true crime and status drama.

Based by Tristan Barr (“Topic,” “Head Depend”), longtime collaborator Josh Doke – one of many forces behind breakout indie hit “Skinamarink” – and producing associate Erin Crittenden (“The Grand Tour,” “Seven Snipers”), Filmbarr is positioning itself as a house for formally creative, filmmaker-driven style cinema constructed to journey internationally. The corporate’s mandate facilities on pairing daring administrators with recognizable worldwide casts, bridging pageant and industrial audiences at disciplined finances ranges.

“And Her Physique Was By no means Discovered,” which lands in SXSW’s Visions part for risk-taking artists, is probably essentially the most literal embodiment of that philosophy. Impressed by the self-contained filmmaking ethos of Robert Rodriguez, Banks and Cohen wrote, directed, and starred within the movie – primarily functioning as their very own crew – taking pictures throughout Washington State’s nationwide parks whereas hauling their very own gear and working out of a rental van. The script was assembled from actual arguments between the couple, reframed as a cinematic metaphor for being trapped in a communicative spiral, as their characters’ makes an attempt to reconnect devolve into homicide. The pair generated the movie’s whole finances by means of medical trial participation and bank cards.

Additionally premiering at SXSW is “Lifeless Eyes,” a visceral horror function from director Richard Williams shot solely in a specialist-designed first-person POV format. The movie stars Mischa Heyward (“Convey Her Again”), Ana Thu Nguyen (“Mortal Kombat”), Stephen Phillips (“Convey Her Again”), Alea O’Shea (“Sissy”) and Charles Cottier (“Demon Dysfunction”).

Past SXSW, Filmbarr has two further titles within the pipeline. Australian fantasy-horror “Deathkeeper” will world premiere at FrightFest in March. Primarily based on a novel, the elevated style movie follows an angel cursed to age many years every time he saves a life, and options an ensemble forged together with Shuang Hu (“5 Blind Dates”), Peter Thurnwald (“XO, Kitty”), Isabella Procida (“Rock Island Mysteries”), Charles Cottier (“Seven Snipers”), George Pullar (“Evil Lifeless Burn”) and Matt Caffoe (“Dunny Derby”). Collectively the forged instructions greater than 18 million social media followers, reflecting Filmbarr’s technique of aligning conventional style storytelling with sturdy digital attain.

Rounding out the slate is “Lower Sick,” a psychological crime drama directed by Amanda Kaye exploring the story of certainly one of Australia’s most infamous feminine murderers. The undertaking beforehand participated within the Biennale School Cinema on the Venice Movie Competition and is shifting into manufacturing later this 12 months, signaling Filmbarr’s growth into prestige-leaning true crime with sturdy worldwide pageant potential. Motion function “Seven Snipers,” starring Tim Roth, Radha Mitchell, Ioan Gruffudd and Ryan Kwanten, can be among the many firm’s upcoming releases.

“The unbiased market has tightened considerably, notably round pre-sales,” mentioned Barr. “To compete in a panorama dominated by IP and in-house streamer manufacturing, the mannequin should evolve. Audiences will at all times search for singular genuine voices and distinct cinematic experiences. We’re constructing Filmbarr round initiatives that may reduce by means of on originality.”

Crittenden added: “Budgets are contracting, however the instruments obtainable to filmmakers have by no means been extra highly effective. Know-how is enabling bold storytelling at a fraction of conventional prices. The chance now lies in backing filmmakers with daring views and giving them the inventive latitude to ship one thing the market hasn’t seen earlier than.”

Banks mentioned of “And Her Physique Was By no means Discovered”: “We actually put every part we had into this film, not solely our funds, however our experiences, our secrets and techniques, our fears. Each of us have dreamed of constructing motion pictures our whole lives, although, so what might be extra definitely worth the danger?”

Cohen added: “We studied the dysfunction in our communication inside and outside, and discovered to simply accept and depend on one another in methods we by no means thought doable.”