South Australia’s first full-length animated feature film, “Lesbian Space Princess,” is set to premiere at the prestigious 2025 Berlinale, the Berlin International Film Festival. This landmark selection marks a significant step for the local filmmaking community, as it is the only Australian feature confirmed for the festival so far.
Created by Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese, alongside producer Tom Phillips from We Made a Thing Studios, “Lesbian Space Princess” represents a major achievement under the Film Lab: New Voices program. This initiative is a collaborative effort by the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC), Adelaide Film Festival (AFF), and Screen Australia, aimed at fostering new talent in the film industry.
The program works by providing keen insight and financial support to emerging filmmakers, enabling them to bring their unique visions to life. The success stories from this initiative are prolific, evidenced by the international premiere of “Monolith,” the first film produced under the program, which debuted at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas in 2023.
“Lesbian Space Princess” will feature in the Panorama section of the Berlinale, which is dedicated to showcasing international films that embody bold and unconventional storytelling. This inclusion not only positions the film for the Panorama Audience Award but also makes it a contender for the celebrated Berlinale Teddy Award, which recognises exceptional LGBTQIA+ cinema.
Arts Minister Andrea Michaels MP said “Congratulations to the team behind Lesbian Space Princess for being selected to have their world premiere at Berlinale. The directors met with the team from Berlinale at the ‘Made in SA’ showcase at the Cannes Film Festival, supported by the State Government, and it is an incredible achievement to have it screened in front of tens of thousands of people on the world stage. Berlinale is one of the largest public film festivals in the world and such an accolade speaks volumes about the talent we have here in South Australia. Our government will continue to help create opportunities for our remarkable screen industry.”
The film’s directors, Emma Hough Hobbs and Leela Varghese, along with producer Tom Phillips, said “We are over the moon that Lesbian Space Princess is heading to Berlinale! We are extremely grateful to the Film Lab: New Voices initiative—this film would not exist without the South Australian Film Corporation and the support of Adelaide Film Festival and Screen Australia. Our small, amazing local team and cast poured so much love and hard work into this project. Having it shown on an international stage at a festival we could only have dreamed of being part of is truly incredible.”
Leanne Saunders, SAFC’s Head of Production and Development, and Mat Kesting, CEO and Creative Director of the Adelaide Film Festival, also praised the international recognition the film is receiving and its potential impact on the careers of its creators.
The involvement of Screen Australia was crucial, as noted by Director of Narrative Content, Louise Gough, who commended the innovation and creativity demonstrated by the Australian screen sector through projects like “Lesbian Space Princess.” She stated, “We’re thrilled to see Lesbian Space Princess selected for Berlinale, a reflection of the creativity and innovation emerging from the Australian screen sector. This animated feature, developed through the South Australian Film Corporation Film Lab: New Voices program with Adelaide Film Festival, is an exciting example of how we are nurturing fresh, diverse voices in storytelling.”
More News
