Search films, venues, guests...

Whistle

Directed by Christopher Nelius
Australia
2025
84 mins

Synopsis

An offbeat Aussie crowd pleaser following the world’s greatest whistling competition, from the eccentric competitors to passionate devotees, as egos clash and notes soar. Toronto 2025.

Unsurprisingly, whistling as a competitive sport attracts an eccentric crowd – among them an anxious New York actress, a fiercely ambitious Spanish competitor, a perpetual runner-up Japanese muso and a piping pop star. Wrangling this multifarious mob, is ‘Whistling Diva’ producer Carole Anne Kaufman, a contentious figure, who’s on a mission to elevate the artform and the competition. Directed by Christopher Nelius (Girls Can’t Surf, SFF 2021) and produced by the Oscar-nominated team behind Porcelain War (SFF 2024), this highly entertaining documentary in the tradition of Best in Show and The Golden Spurtle, celebrates persistence and lip-pursing talent as it captures the highs and lows of competitive musical whistling.

“A heartwarming, feel-good watch that celebrates talent, dedication, and the quirky joy of a world where every note counts.”
Rachel West, Alliance of Women Film Journalists

Tickets

Fri 5 June 2026, 6:15pm
Selling Fast
Sydney Opera House Playhouse
Assisted ListeningWheelchair
Sun 7 June 2026, 9:30am
State Theatre
Assisted ListeningWheelchair
Presented By
  • Program Strand
    Documentary Australia Award
  • Year
    2025
  • Classification
    All Ages
  • Country
    Australia, USA, Spain, Japan
  • Language
    In English, Spanish and Japanese with English subtitles
  • Director
    Christopher Nelius
  • Producer
    Camilla Mazzaferro, Louise Smith, Luke Mazzaferro, Al Hicks, Casey Ventura
  • Screenwriter
    Christopher Nelius, Al Hicks
  • Cinematographer
    Kathryn Milliss
  • Editor
    Matias Bolla, Johanna Scott
  • Genre
    Documentary, Australian, Comedy, Music, Women’s Stories, Sport
  • Premiere
    Australian Premiere
  • Company Credits
    Australian Distributor: Madman Entertainment

If you like this, you might like...

Documentary
Rodeo Dreams
The story of four young Australian bull riders as they follow their dreams across North West Queensland to win the prestigious yet cash-strapped Mount Isa Rodeo.
Documentary
The Valley
A meditative cinematic portrait of a place and community, Kangaroo Valley, about two hours south of Sydney. World Premiere directed by Ian Darling (The Final Quarter, SFF 2019).
The Loneliest Man in Town
Legendary Austrian bluesman Al Cook stars in this deadpan docufiction delight about an ageing musician whose home is marked for demolition. Berlinale Competition 2026.
The American Dream
In this joyous buddy movie from the producers of The Intouchables, two French outsiders brave all obstacles to achieve their dream of breaking into the world of professional basketball.
Aboriginal FlagTorres Strait Flag

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.

Don’t miss a thing!

Whether you’re in Sydney or one of our rural locations, sign up to our newsletters for all the latest news and offers.

SFF
About
Support
General Enquiries
Ticketing Enquiries
Office Hours

MONDAY – FRIDAY: 9AM – 5PM AEDT

Discover
Follow
In Partnership With:
Website by ED.

Don't miss a thing!

Whether you're in Sydney or one of our rural locations, sign up to our newsletters for all the latest news and offers.