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Agatha’s Almanac

Directed by Amalie Atkins
Canada
2025
86 mins
This exquisite and delightful portrait of 90-year-old Agatha, who lives and thrives alone on her farm with quiet joy, was lovingly crafted by her artist niece. Hot Docs 2025.

Untouched by modern conveniences, Agatha Bock’s farm in southern Manitoba has remained the same since the 1950s. She has no mobile phone, nor a car. She spends her days merrily preserving heirloom seeds, and planting and harvesting all manner of things, from watermelons to beans, by hand, using traditional methods. Nothing goes to waste. On camera, Agatha shares vivid, humorous stories from the past as she works. Shot on luminous 16mm by an all-female crew over the course of six years, this striking documentary debut by artist and filmmaker Amalie Atkins is both enchanting and quietly profound. It offers a gentle reminder of the beauty in simplicity and the value of stepping back from our hyperconnected world.

Limited seats are available for patrons requiring access for wheelchairs, low vision and hearing loop. Please contact our ticketing team directly on 1300 733 733 or tickets@sff.org.au to complete your booking.

“In the magical, naturally zesty Agatha’s Almanac, Amalie Atkins delivers one of the year’s most indelible portraits… Rhayne Vermette’s camera brings a lusciousness, a vibrance so exquisite and glimmering that it gently soaks us.”
Debanjan Dhar, High on Films

Special Guests

Amalie Atkins
Director, Producer

Amalie Atkins (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker based in Canada. Her works have been screened and exhibited nationally and internationally. Her debut feature, Agatha’s Almanac, was shot on 16mm film with an all-female crew over six years. It premiered at CPH:DOX and won Best Canadian Feature at Hot Docs.

Tickets

Fri 6 June 2025, 10am
State Theatre
WheelchairAssisted Listening
Sat 7 June 2025, 4:15pm
Dendy Newtown - Cinema 1
WheelchairAssisted Listening
Mon 9 June 2025, 2:15pm
Event George St - Cinema 11
WheelchairAssisted Listening

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Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

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