Isabel Darling - Director / Writer
Isabel is currently in Cannes seeking distribution for her feature documentary THE CARNIVAL, which had its World Premiere at Sydney Film Festival in 2023 and went to Melbourne International Film Festival and CinefestOZ.
There is also a shorter 59 minute version that is currently screening on Australian national broadcaster, SBS.
Isabel Darling is an acclaimed director and producer known for her quintessentially Australian observational documentaries. Her feature documentary, The Carnival, which followed an Australian carnival family for seven years, made its debut at the 70th Sydney Film Festival and will be broadcast on SBS in 2024. The Carnival received considerable recognition, with features in The Guardian and other major publications. The Monthly hailed it as one of the ‘top two Australian films at the Melbourne International Film Festival’.
In 2023, Isabel was nominated for a prestigious Walkley award, for her work on The Carnival, in collaboration with producer Tom Zubrycki. Isabel, who was part of the Director Pathways Program in 2020, also achieved recognition as a finalist at the AIDC Viceland 'Australiana' pitch in 2018. Her film, Being Frank, which tells the story of a Czech immigrant and Australia's oldest living Olympian, was screened internationally and her 2017 film, Corey the Warrior, was a finalist at both the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival and the Cannes International Film Festival on Disability.
PROJECTS
THE CARNIVAL [LA FÊTE FORAINE]
Feature Documentary - Director, Writer
COMPLETED
Isabel spent 7 years filming a 6th generation carnival (fun fair) family across the entirety of Australia, with broadcaster funding coming on board 5 years into production. It was a solo effort that was then backed by national broadcaster SBS, Shark Island Foundation, Screen Australia and Create NSW.
THE CARNIVAL had its World Premiere at Sydney Film Festival in 2023 in the Documentary Australia Award category, then went to Melbourne International Film Festival and CinefestOz. Isabel was shortlisted for a prestigious Walkley Award for Excellence in Journalism for her work on the carnival, alongside producer, Tom Zubrycki.
WATCH TRAILER
LITTLE GIFTS
Short Film - Director, Writer
In post-war 1950’s Australia, 9-year-old Peter attempts to make his mother feel loved again after his father walked out on them. Realising she’s oblivious to his love and now pushed to breaking point, Peter gives her a gift he can never take back.
IN POST-PRODUCTION
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COREY THE WARRIOR
Short Documentary - Director, Writer
Aboriginal man, Corey Stewart, shines as he tells the story of his new life as an artist living with a brain injury.
COMPLETED
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BEING FRANK
Short Documentary - Director
Escaping war-torn Europe, Frank Prihoda, now Australia’s oldest living Olympian, finds solace in the beauty of the Australian Snowy Mountains.
COMPLETED
