Audiences will be transported into a radical and thought-provoking world with Planet City: Live, a speculative fiction experience from acclaimed designer and director Liam Young, which envisions a future where the entire global population resides in one hyper-dense metropolis, allowing the rest of the planet to rewild. This immersive event features live narration by Young himself and a live score performed by Forest Swords.
The second event will see the New South Wales premiere screening of Justin Kurzel’s (Snow Town) documentary debut Ellis Park, followed by a conversation and short musical performance with the film’s subject, celebrated musician Warren Ellis, at Ellis Park: An Evening With Warren Ellis.
“Sydney Film Festival has always been a place for bold and innovative storytelling, and we are delighted to join forces with Vivid Sydney to present these two unique cinematic experiences,” said SFF Festival Director Nashen Moodley. “These events push the limits of film, sound, and imagination, offering audiences something truly unforgettable.”
Vivid Sydney Festival Director, Gill Minervini said, “The partnership between Vivid Sydney and Sydney Film Festival represents a powerful fusion of artistic vision that embodies the spirit of creative innovation we champion and allows us to connect with audiences in meaningful new ways.”
“These immersive film events perfectly amplify our 2025 theme of ‘Dream’ by inviting audiences to explore alternative realities through the intersection of cinema, music, and live performance.”
PLANET CITY: LIVE
Presented in partnership with Vivid Sydney and City Recital Hall
Tuesday 10 June 2025, time 7pm
City Recital Hall, Sydney
In a world of escalating climate crises, bold dreams aren’t optional—they’re essential. What if, instead of unchecked expansion and environmental destruction, we radically reversed our course? What if the entire global population lived in one hyper-dense city, leaving the rest of the planet to rewild? In a world-first, designer, director, and BAFTA-nominated producer Liam Young brings his visionary speculative film Planet City to life in an immersive experience like no other. Accompanied by live narration by Young himself and a live performance by Forest Swords of its haunting score, this boundary-pushing event presents a breathtaking vision of a radical new world order.
About Liam Young
Liam Young is a designer, director, and BAFTA-nominated producer working at the intersection of fiction, design, and future thinking. Described by the BBC as “the man designing our futures,” his visionary films explore urgent environmental questions. His work has premiered on Apple+, Channel 4, SXSW, Tribeca, and the Venice Biennale and is held in collections at the New York Met, Victoria & Albert Museum, and Art Institute of Chicago.
ELLIS PARK: AN EVENING WITH WARREN ELLIS
Presented in partnership with Vivid Sydney
Sunday 8 June 2025, time 7pm
City Recital Hall, Sydney
NSW Premiere Screening of Ellis Park
Sunday 8 June 2025, time 4pm
State Theatre, Sydney
Warren Ellis is an Australian music icon—Dirty Three founder, longtime Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds collaborator, film composer (The Proposition, The Road), and one of the most celebrated multi-instrumentalists of his generation.
There’s another side to Warren you might not know.
In this special Vivid Sydney presented in partnership with Sydney Film Festival (SFF), Warren Ellis takes the stage for an intimate conversation about his life, music and his deep commitment to animal conservation—a journey beautifully captured in the new documentary, Ellis Park (screening as part of SFF). Listen to Warren discuss the film and his mission to protect endangered species at his sanctuary in Sumatra.
As part of this special conversation, Warren will also perform a short, intimate solo set.
Before the event, documentary Ellis Park, directed by acclaimed Australian filmmaker Justin Kurzel will screen at 4pm at State Theatre as part of Sydney Film Festival. Tickets sold separately.
 in partnership with Vivid Sydney (23 May-14 June 2025), will present two extraordinary film events that go beyond the screen, featuring live performances and groundbreaking artistry.){kind=link}