Truce director Thomas Charles Hyland picks up Best Documentary at AIDC 2024

Truce director Thomas Charles Hyland’s “This Is Going To Be Big” has clinched the title of Best Feature Documentary at the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC) 2024.

The accolade adds to Hyland’s triumphs, last year claiming the Melbourne International Film Festival Audience Award, before also earning a nomination for Best Documentary at the AACTA Awards last month. Just last week, the film received a standing ovation at the prestigious True/False Festival during its US premiere.

A co-production between Truce Films and Fremantle Media, the project was supported by Abstar Productions, Screen Australia, VICSCREEN, the MIFF Premiere Fund and inclusion partners Bus Stop Films.

The documentary chronicles the journey of a group of teens at the Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School as they prepare for their unique John Farnham-themed musical, intertwining themes of time travel and coming-of-age. Produced by Jim Wright, Josie Mason-Campbell, and Catherine Bradbury, the film stood out for its ‘highly original subject matter’, according to the jury.

The jury said: “Deceptively simple yet masterfully crafted” story, praising the inclusive approach taken by Hyland and his team in engaging young students in the filmmaking process. They commended the “patient, fly-on-the-wall editing and cinematography (which) lovingly centres the narrative within the students’ perspective to joyous and entertaining effect. One can see that the filmmaking team built a trusting relationship with the school, students, and families, resulting in a gem of a film about the power of kindness and what it means to belong.”

A broadcast version is slated for airing on the ABC in April, before the feature streams on Netflix in December.

To view Hyland’s commercial work, click here.

For commercial enquiries please contact EP’s Elise Trenorden or Michael Ciccone.