Euro-success for ultra-indy Friends and Strangers

While most screen creators fight for a piece of the mainstream pie, true indies can be rewarded for their insane commitment to high art. To our delight.

Deep inside the ultra-prestigious International Film Festival of Rotterdam is a wonderful playpen called the Tiger Competition, which the festival describes thus: ‘IFFR’s most prestigious competition celebrates the innovative spirit of up-and-coming filmmakers from all over the world.’

Tucked into this list, among filmmakers from Serbia, China, Brazil, Thailand and France, you will find Friends and Strangers, the first feature by James Vaughan, produced by Lucy Rennick and Rebecca Lamond. It is an ultra-low budget Australian film, which is now in the slam-bang best European slot to premiere, pushed along by advice from Michelle Carey, until recently the artistic director of the Melbourne International Film Festival. 

Unlock Padlock Icon

Unlock this content?

Access this content and more

David Tiley was the Editor of Screenhub from 2005 until he became Content Lead for Film in 2021 with a special interest in policy. He is a writer in screen media with a long career in educational programs, documentary, and government funding, with a side order in script editing. He values curiosity, humour and objectivity in support of Australian visions and the art of storytelling.