Starring Joe Bird (Leviticus, Talk to Me) and Ed Oxenbould (The Visit, Wildlife), and from directors Jack Zimmerman and Archie Hancock, the new Australian short film explores family, grief and climate anxiety in a surreal Australia.
Australian filmmakers Jack Zimmerman and Archie Hancock will premiere their latest short film, Despite the Night, in competition at the 2026 Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF). The 14-minute drama stars Joe Bird, fresh from his leading role in Leviticus following his breakout performance in A24's Talk to Me, alongside Critics Choice Award nominee Ed Oxenbould (The Visit, Wildlife).
Set in a near-future Northern Australia, Despite the Night follows two brothers caring for their ailing grandmother after a distant volcanic eruption leaves the region permanently shrouded in ash. As communities flee south in search of daylight, the brothers are forced to confront an impossible choice: leave everything behind or remain with the family they've vowed to protect.
Co-written and co-directed by Zimmerman and Hancock, the film draws on deeply personal experiences of caring for ageing family members while using environmental catastrophe as a metaphor for the uncertainty facing younger generations, reimagining Australia through a distinctly atmospheric and intimate lens.
The film was shot by award-winning cinematographer Sean Ryan (The Moogai) and produced by Praxis Pictures (Space Rats) and Switch Productions (Dipped in Black).
Zimmerman and Hancock's previous work has screened at Oscar-qualifying festivals including St Kilda Film Festival and Brooklyn Film Festival, earning multiple awards including a Young Director Award. Alongside the film, Zimmerman is co-founder of Rover, a streaming platform dedicated to short films.
