Melbourne Documentary Film Festival 2025: Film Spotlight

Now celebrating its 10th year, the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (MDFF) has grown into one of the most dynamic and essential platforms for non-fiction storytelling in the Southern Hemisphere. What began as a grassroots showcase for bold, independent voices has, a decade later, become a global destination for filmmakers and audiences alike. The 2025 edition is the festival’s biggest yet, featuring an outstanding lineup of films from around the world—alongside a powerful slate of work from Australian filmmakers whose voices continue to shape and challenge the documentary form.

This year’s program is a vivid tapestry of perspectives—from investigative exposés to intimate personal journeys, from hard-hitting political reckonings to deeply human portraits of resilience, joy, and survival. Whether spotlighting global crises, self-transformations, or quiet moments of everyday life, these documentaries ask us to look more closely, feel more deeply, and consider our place in an interconnected world.

Below we have included the synopses and trailers of some of the must-see films screening at this year’s festival. While there are far too many amazing documentaries to list them all, we hope this overview will give you a feel for the types of documentaries screening at the festival and hopefully help you find a film you love.

“Union” directed by Brett Story & Stephen Maing

Through immersive cinéma vérité, this film follows Chris Smalls and the Amazon Labor Union’s bold campaign to organize the JFK8 warehouse. It’s a gripping account of solidarity and struggle inside one of the world’s largest corporations.

“Her Shark Story” directed by Ignacio Walker & Denis Arqueros

In the Galapagos, a young marine biologist rekindles her bond with her father through their shared efforts to protect sharks and preserve fragile ecosystems.

“Ferrari: Fury and the Monster” directed by Steve Hoover

At just 26, engineer Mauro Forghieri was handed Ferrari’s racing legacy. This sleek doc blends archival footage and interviews to trace the making of the legendary 250 GTO—and the spirit of a man who redefined motorsport engineering.

“Left Behind” directed by Anna Toomey

Approximately 200,000 New York City public school students are dyslexic, yet there is no public initiative that provides the specialized skill and care necessary for these learners. Frustrated that they had to remove their own kids from the public school system, a group of determined moms band together to do something that’s never been done before – open New York City’s first public school for dyslexic students.

“Space Cowboy” directed by Marah Strauch & Bryce Leavitt

A pioneer of skydiving cinematography, Joe Jennings has spent decades capturing breathtaking aerial moments for extreme sports competitions, Super Bowl commercials, and Hollywood blockbusters. Now in his early sixties, he reflects on his life in the sky and attempts to perform his most ambitious stunt yet: filming a car falling from the sky with passengers inside.

“Clear Sky” directed by Michael Del Monte and Shawn Clearsky Davies

An unflinching portrait of Shawn’s battle with addiction and cultural disconnection, “Clear Sky” follows his journey through psychedelic therapy and a cross-country quest to confront his mother.

“Chasing Roo” directed by Skye Fitzgerald

An intimate portrait of Australia’s kangaroo harvesting industry, juxtaposing the perspectives of wildlife rescue experts dedicated to saving kangaroos with those of professional hunters. The film immerses viewers into the parallel realities of wildlife harvest and rescue in the deep outback.

“The Social Trap: 5 Women vs The Big 5” directed by Elisa Jadot

An in-depth exploration of five women confronting tech giants like Meta, spotlighting screen addiction and the digital threats facing today’s youth.

“Peter Doherty: Stranger In My Own Skin” directed by Katia deVidas

A documentary on the life of English rock star Peter Doherty, and his struggle with addiction to hard drugs. Director and musician Katia deVidas, who is also Peter Doherty’s partner, filmed the artist over a period of 10 years. Now, this raw and intimate material is the source for the 90-minute film documenting the Libertines singer-lyricist’s descent into hell just as his popularity was peaking. Through the artist’s own words and emotions, we experience Doherty’s courageous, and often poetic fight to overcome his demons.

“Dancing Against the Odds” directed by Matt Byrne

A captivating behind‑the‑scenes feature accompanying the dance film “Counterpoise,” chronicling the highs and lows, determination, and cross-cultural collaboration of artists with and without disability. Shot in Australia and Korea amid global challenges, it highlights the resilient creativity that emerges when boundaries are blurred.

“Human Race” directed by Simon Lec

Following professor Eske Willerslev’s quest to map 5,000 ancient human DNA profiles, “Human Race” explores the origins of mental illness and the personal struggles of a scientist seeking his place in the world.

“After the Rain: Putin’s Stolen Children Come Home” directed by Sarah McCarthy

Deep in a Baltic Sea forest in Estonia, Ukrainian children who were illegally deported to Russia begin their healing journey through animal-assisted therapy. The film unravels their traumatic memories, family reunification struggles, and moments of joy and resilience.

“Dwarf Story: Little People, Big Choice” directed by Riccardo Servini

Seven years ago, a drug called Vosoritide came on the market. It provided hope for an end to a medical condition called achondroplasia, the most common form of dwarfism. The film examines the drug’s potential to address medical complications associated with achondroplasia and the broader implications of such a treatment on the lives of little people.

“Johatsu: Into Thin Air” directed by Andreas Hartmann and Arata Mori

Disillusioned individuals in Japan vanish to start anew, aided by firms providing new identities. The film delves into the turmoil of those who disappear and the loved ones grappling with their absence, exploring reconciliation attempts.

“Our Warrior: The Story of Robbie Thorpe” directed by Anthony Kelly

A powerful portrait of Aboriginal activist Robbie Thorpe, Our Warrior traces his lifelong fight for Indigenous justice, from Black Power roots to groundbreaking legal challenges against genocide.

“The Big Sea” directed by Lewis Arnold and Chris Nelson

An exploration of the toxic nature of wetsuits, the human and environmental cost of Neoprene production and surfing’s links to Cancer Alley. Using the lens of surfing to unwrap issues of environmental racism, social justice, corporate responsibility and greenwashing, this life and death tale of two seemingly unconnected communities explores the power we have as individuals to effect change.

“Lyd” directed by Sarah Ema Friedland and Rami Younis

A sci-fi documentary that follows the rise and fall of Lyd — a 5,000-year-old metropolis that was once a bustling Palestinian town until it was conquered when the State of Israel was established in 1948. As the film unfolds, a chorus of characters creates a tapestry of the Palestinian experience of this city and the trauma left by the massacre and expulsion.

“Bonegilla – The Migrant’s Journey” directed by Simon Reich

After the Second World War, the Australian government decided to accept immigrants from countries other than the British Isles. This was the real beginning of the multi-cultural nation Australia would become. In this documentary, migrants from that period tell of the many hardships and amazing survival stories of their lives. They also frankly tell of the difficulty of assimilating into Australian society. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. But most of all you’ll be truly inspired by these gutsy pioneers to a country they knew nothing about.