Back to Back Theatre’s film feature Shadow set for debut at South by Southwest festival in the US

A Geelong entertainment group known for their theatre productions has earned a major coup, set to have their debut film shown at one of the world’s biggest indie arts festivals.

Internationally acclaimed Geelong-based Back to Back Theatre’s debut feature film Shadow will have its world premiere in March at South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival in Texas.

Filmed on location in and around Geelong in December 2020, Shadow builds upon the success of Back to Back’s debut short film, Oddlands, creating a feature film that is provocative and challenging, and opportunities for people with disabilities both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.

A Back to Back Pictures Production, Shadow is a darkly humorous 56-minute film based on Back to Back Theatre’s award-winning The Shadow Whose Prey The Hunter Becomes.

Jointly funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, the City of Greater Geelong Arts and Culture Department’s Arts Industry Commissions Program and supported by Screen Australia through the COVID-19 Budget Support Fund Program, Shadow stars Back to Back’s professional ensemble, with Scott Price, Simon Laherty and Sarah Mainwaring in lead roles, playing a trio of disability activists who hold a public meeting, desperate to save the world.

SHADOW key cast and creatives Mark Deans, Scott Price, Sarah Mainwaring, Breanna Deleo and Simon Laherty. SHADOW key cast and creatives Mark Deans, Scott Price, Sarah Mainwaring, Breanna Deleo and Simon Laherty

As the meeting unravels, they discover the greatest threat to their future is already in the room.

Shadow is one of seven Australian screen projects selected for the 29th SXSW film festival.

Actor and co-writer Scott Price said Shadow was a story that needed to be told.

“It’s about artificial intelligence and disability activism,” Price said.

“The fact that it is premiering at a festival such as SXSW shows that it is a beautiful piece of work, and the importance of telling stories from perspective of people with disabilities.”

Producer Alice Fleming said Back to Back’s transition into the screen space was extremely exciting.

“Shadow’s world premiere status at SXSW is something we dreamed about, but didn’t imagine would be possible for our debut into feature filmmaking,” Fleming said.

“It is strong evidence for more inclusive filmmaking and storytelling teams.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Director Bruce Gladwin said Shadow used a combination of dramatic and documentary-style elements to tell the story of a group of activists who held a public meeting only to discover their own prejudices were their biggest obstacles to saving the world.

“Thematically, we wanted to understand individual and collective responsibility and question how we come together to make decisions that are in the best interests of society,” Gladwin said.

“As artists we are seeking alternative models of story creation and screen production.

“Created over two and a half years through conversation and improvisation, the performers are also the co-authors, 95 per cent of the people on screen are people with disabilities, and the majority of the crew roles are fulfilled by interns who identify as people with disabilities supported by professional mentors.”

Shadow will screen in the SXSW festival’s visions section on March 12 and be followed by a Q&A with the ensemble.

Originally published as Back to Back Theatre’s film feature Shadow set for debut at South by Southwest festival in the US