Audrey | |
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Directed by | Natalie Bailey |
Written by | Lou Sanz |
Release date |
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Country | Australia |
Language | English |
Audrey is a 2024 Australian comedy film directed by Natalie Bailey. It is based on an original script by Lou Sanz. [1] The film had its world premiere at SXSW 2024, where it competed for the Grand Jury Prize for Narrative Feature. Later that year, it made its Australian premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF).
In 2024, Audrey was also selected as one of four Australian films to compete for the CinefestOZ Film Prize, the most lucrative cash film award in the Southern Hemisphere, held in Perth. Notably, it became the first Australian feature film to receive the ReFrame Stamp, a certification awarded to film and TV productions demonstrating gender-balanced hiring practices, particularly in key creative and leadership roles. The ReFrame Stamp is granted by ReFrame, an initiative led by the Sundance Institute and Women in Film (WIF) to promote gender equity in the entertainment industry.
Director Natalie Bailey won Best Debut Feature at the 2024 Australian Directors Guild (ADG) Awards. In 2025, writer Lou Sanz was nominated for Best Original Screenplay by the Australian Writers Guild (AWG).
At the 2025 AACTA Awards, Hannah Diviney received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Norah, while Jackie van Beek was nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal of matriarch Ronnie Willis.
From the Screen Australia website: "A dramedy following self-appointed Mother of the Year, Ronnie Lipsick, who is living a life she never wanted, with a derailed career, a husband whose love for life has gone limp and two daughters who she struggles to connect with. When an accident lands her eldest daughter Audrey in a coma, Ronnie gets a second chance at life by taking on her daughter’s identity – only she's not the only one in the family who sees Audrey’s comatose state as an opportunity." [2]
The Guardian called it a "deliciously snarky black comedy". [3] The AU Review commended the film for delighting "in being psychologically grotesque," noting its refreshing take on homegrown comedy. Additionally, Rotten Tomatoes described "Audrey" as "utterly bonkers and hilarious," emphasizing the filmmakers' success in pushing comedic boundaries.
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