Continuing to shine a spotlight on local film, TV and more, Supanova Comic Con & Gaming’s Showcase Australia! line-up will boast some of the biggest names in the industry alongside exciting exclusives in Melbourne (6-7 April) and on the Gold Coast (13-14 April).

Leading the program is What About Sal?, the latest offering from Supanova favourite and writer/director John Jarratt, who will be joined by star Gerard O’Dwyer for exclusive premiere screenings in Melbourne on April 6, before it also screens on the Gold Coast on April 13.

‘What About Sal?’

The film follows Sal (O’Dwyer), a man in his 30s with Down syndrome whose mother is dying of lung cancer. Sal embarks on a journey across Sydney to find his father – the lead singer of a rock band, with more information available via the Supanova website.

Also appearing at both shows will be multi-talented creator Maria Lewis, who will screen her directorial debut, The House That Hungers, after the horror premiered at Sydnova last year to rave reviews. Lewis will partake in a Q&A after the short screens, joined by costume designer Kate O’Boyle in Melbourne.

US comedian Arj Barker, who will be in Melbourne for his International Comedy Festival dates, will stop past Melbnova for a panel on his new film, family comedy The Nut Farm, which sees him star as a failed US crypto trader who inherits a macadamia nut farm in Australia that’s under threat from some evil New Zealand gas frackers.

‘The Nut Farm’

Melbourne will also see animation fans treated to a behind-the-scenes look at shows such as Koala Man via a panel from Princess Bento Studio, as well as an exciting look at upcoming game The Phantom with director Ash Nicholls, while SF3 presents a crash course on smartphone filmmaking.

One of Australia’s most exciting directors, Luke Sparke returns to the stage on the Gold Coast to discuss his recent hit, Bring Him to Me, as well as upcoming horror Scurry and more, while the team behind animated film Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back, Queensland’s own Dominic Morris (writer) Nadine Bates (producer) and Ricard Cussó (director), make a comeback after winning fans over at Brisnova last November.

After featuring on the Showcase Australia! program in 2023 to promote their films Subject and Bliss of Evil, burgeoning filmmakers Corrie Hinschen and Tristan Barr will share a masterclass on indie horror filmmaking via their Terror Down Under panel.

Luke Sparke

The familiar faces continue and round out this latest announcement, with writer and director Stephen Osbourne, who Supa-Fans might recall from Strangeville, bringing his latest offering Dome House Six to the Gold Coast, joined by stars Madyn Raem, Prem Sagar Krishnan and Jordan Abbey-Young.

The Showcase Australia! talent will join previously announced Supa-Stars Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who, Broadchurch), Temuera Morrison (The Book of Boba Fett), Emily Bett Rickards (The Arrowverse), Evanna Lynch (Harry Potter series), Karen Fukuhara (The Boys) and many more at Supanova in Melbourne (6-7 April) and Supanova on the Gold Coast (13-14 April).

Lead Image: Arj Barker in ‘The Nut Farm’, next to poster imagery for John Jarratt’s ‘What About Sal?’ and Maria Lewis’ ‘The House That Hungers’