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PHENOMENA
directed by josef gatti
Australia / 86 Mins / English
Logline:
A psychedelic odyssey into the fabric of the universe, guided by a filmmaker’s immersive practical experiments that transcend into a deeply hypnotic audio-visual experience of awe and human connection to the natural world.
Synopsis:
A psychedelic odyssey into the fabric of the universe, guided by a filmmaker and his immersive practical experiments that blur the lines between art and science to reveal nature’s inner workings. Captured entirely by camera with no visual effects or artifice, the unfolding awe-inspiring hyper-real imagery is elevated by music from legendary Nils Frahm and an ethereal electronic original score by Rival Consoles, transforming curious observation into a hypnotic audio-visual adventure spanning from the subatomic to cosmological scales. Tracing the forces and elements shaping the natural world, PHENOMENA is a kinetic sensory experience, exploring the wonders of the universe and our connection to it.
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‘A Trippy, Psychedelic Musical Odyssey’ - Filmmaker Magazine
‘Visually extraordinary’ - Deadline
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Josef Gatti is a filmmaker and artist based in Melbourne specialising in documentary and experimental film. His distinctive visual style is shaped by innovative cinematography and practical experimentation, bringing together art and science to create immersive experiences. PHENOMENA marks his feature-documentary debut, made in collaboration with Academy Award–nominated production studio Sandbox Films. The project builds on the success of a multi-platform iteration of the same name, broadcast by the ABC (Australia) and screened at international film festivals and immersive exhibition spaces. It was named the second-best Australian series of 2021 by The Guardian, and described by DOC NYC as “a film that just has to be experienced”. Beyond longform filmmaking, Josef works as a creative and cinematographer in Australia's music and arts scene, documenting and collaborating with some of Australia’s leading music festivals and acclaimed artists. Notably, in 2024 Josef directed the series Matter for Cercle Records.
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2026
World Premiere: True/False FF 2026
European Premiere: CPH:DOX 2026
Belgium Premiere: Docville 2026
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Year: 2026
Country: Australia
Length: 86 mins
Director: Josef Gatti
Producers: Rob Innes, Jessica Harrop, Caitlin Mae Burke, Jad Abumrad & Josef Gatti
Cinematographers: Josef Gatti & Martine Wolff
Editors: Johanna Scott & Josef Gatti
Music: Nils Frahm & Ryan Lee West (Rival Consoles)