Phenomena
Debut filmmaker Josef Gatti, with the help of his physics teacher dad, sets out to visualise the forces and elements that shape the natural world such as light, matter, energy, entropy and life. Light is fractured, crystals form and spread, hydrocarbons flow, sound is visualised, and inner workings are revealed. Every image in the film is real, captured on camera with no visual effects or artifice – a fact that makes this visually stunning documentary even more remarkable. This art meets science adventure (which started life as an online series) is accompanied by a glorious electronic score making this mesmeric journey a truly sensory see-it-in-the cinema experience. A hit at True/False Film Festival and CPH:DOX 2026.
Special Guests
Josef Gatti is a filmmaker and artist based in Melbourne specialising in documentary and experimental film. His distinctive visual style is shaped by innovative cinematography and practical experimentation, bringing together art and science to create immersive experiences. PHENOMENA marks his feature-documentary debut. Josef also works as a creative and cinematographer in Australia’s music and arts scene, documenting and collaborating with some of Australia’s leading music festivals and acclaimed artists. Notably, in 2024 Josef directed the series MATTER for Cercle Records.
Tickets
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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