Sydney-based production house indiVisual Films – international is bringing its latest venture, Home Before Night, to India’s Film Bazaar co-production market. The film blends drama with science fiction and explores the emotional landscapes of migrants in Australia.
Ana Tiwary, founder of indiVisual Films and known for projects like Rhapsody of Love, described the film as “a hauntingly beautiful story that mixes drama with elements of science fiction and authentically represents the experiences of migrants in Australia.”
Written and directed by Kalani Gacon (Sapana ko Awaz), Home Before Night traces the intertwined journeys of two women: Chanda, a Nepali aged-care worker in Australia grappling with permanent residency decisions, and Orana, an Australian of Nepali heritage searching for her estranged father. Their paths intersect through a futuristic memory-donation program designed for homesick migrants.
“I want people to leave with an appreciation for the spaces between—those subtle, often overlooked places where identities intersect and cultures blend,” said Gacon, who drew inspiration from his personal journey of finding his father.
Producer Sabin Gnawali, himself a migrant, emphasized the project’s focus on the Nepali community in Australia, said, “The film’s exploration of identity and cultural belonging deeply resonates with me.”
Production is scheduled to start in August 2025, with shooting locations in Australia’s Blue Mountains and Nepal. Post-production is expected to wrap up by early 2026, aiming for a festival debut in February 2026.
The project has garnered support from Screen Australia’s Enterprise funding and has industry heavyweights like Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor (The Elephant Whisperers) and Oscar-contending filmmaker Kiran Rao (Lost Ladies) as creative and business consultants.
The film arrives at a pivotal moment for Australia-India cinema relations, bolstered by a 2023 co-production agreement between the two nations. Reflecting on this collaboration, Screen Australia COO Grainne Brunsdon remarked, “This is a significant moment for Australian cinema, and we’re proud that the project will represent Australia as part of the country of focus at the 2024 International Film Festival of India.”
Veteran Australian filmmaker Phillip Noyce, who will receive a lifetime achievement award at the festival, noted the shared cultural ties between the nations, saying, “The two nations are intensely bonded by shared colonial history plus the growing Indian diaspora in Australia and a shared love for cinema and cricket.”
Australian Deputy High Commissioner to India, Nick McCaffrey, highlighted the broader cultural significance of such collaborations, stating, “As the Australia-India relationship grows, we need to understand one another better, at a much deeper level. This year’s festival and Film Bazaar will present an opportunity to forge new partnerships, drive co-productions and to tap into India’s vast creative talents. This is just the beginning.”
In addition to Home Before Night, indiVisual Films is also seeking Indian co-producers for several other projects, including Whistle in the Mist, Unmatched, One of the Good Ones, and Letter from Busan.
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