This special event screening will be followed by a Q&A with Canberra-based filmmaker and film critic Simon Weaving, the writer-director of The Competition. He will join us, along with other special guests, for a discussion about the film, its journey to the big screen, and more. Stay tuned for more details closer to the date!

Steffie Waters has lived her whole life in a small and strangely musical country town, brought up by her grandmother Maria. Steffie would love to get to the big city but is held back by her loyalty to her boyfriend Mike and best friend Allie. But when Sebastian Johnson and Kev Plummer, two ageing judges from a struggling reality TV show, “Band in Australia”, arrive in town to run a music competition, Steffie has to make some tough decisions about her future. As the week in the small country town unfolds, Sebastian – who is Maria’s old flame – is confronted with the consequences of his past, and he and Steffie must both work out what is truly important in life.

Featuring a superb soundtrack – with the music of Owen Campbell, Chanel Cole, The Fuelers, Alchemist, Julia & The Deep Sea Sirens and many more Canberra bands – The Competition is a warm-hearted story of music, life, and what it really takes to follow your dreams.

Filmed in and around the ACT and Capital Region, The Competition was made using an all Canberra cast and crew and stars Leah Baulch, Geoffrey Borny, Tony Turner, Andrea Close, Dallas Bland, Ian Croker, comedian Jay Sullivan and features newsreader Natalie Forrest.