The 15th SDAFF Spring Showcase opens with THE ROAD TO SYDNEY, a sweeping and heartfelt journey of identity, belonging, and unexpected connection.

A letter and a one-way ticket from a mysterious Englishman send young Māori woman Mary Stevens from New Zealand to North Yorkshire in search of answers about her past. Raised as an orphan, Mary hopes the journey will uncover the truth of her lineage—but what begins as a personal quest soon leads her somewhere entirely unexpected. When a dead end turns into an opportunity to work as a governess in a shadowy, unfamiliar home, Mary finds herself navigating secrets, solitude, and the possibility of forging a new future.

Both intimate and expansive, THE ROAD TO SYDNEY is a moving exploration of home, heritage, and the winding paths that shape who we become. Join us for Opening Night and experience the start of Spring Showcase together—on the big screen and in community.

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Director Benito Bautista and Film Subject Sydney Loyala are scheduled to appear for a post-screening Q&A.

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