Kangaroo, filmed in Alice Springs and Bondi, hopping into cinemas this September

The Australian made movie – which has been filmed in and around Alice Springs – will be hopping into cinemas later this year. Find out when.

Lily Whiteley makes her big screen debut as Charlie in Kangaroo, a new feature film shot in Alice Springs and Bondi, which is now set to be released in September 2025. Picture: Supplied

A feature film – shot in and around Alice Springs and other iconic Australian locations – is hopping into cinemas this September.

Kangaroo was shot in and around Alice Springs and Bondi Beach last year, but now a date has been set for the film’s full theatrical release.

The film is based on the real life story of Chris “Brolga” Barnes, the man behind the Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs.

Featuring an all-star cast – including some newcomers – the story follows a TV weatherman named Chris who befriends an 11-year-old Indigenous girl named Charlie.

Together the duo rescue and rehabilitate an orphaned joey, an endeavour which proves life changing for both.

Ryan Corr stars in the lead role, with newcomer Lily Whiteley making her screen debut as Charlie.

Ernie Dingo, Deborah Mailman, Roy Billing, and many more star in supporting roles in the Studiocanal produced film.

Kate Woods has directed the movie, with Screen Territory director Jennie Hughes describing the feature as a “crowd-pleasing delight”.

The production supported 150 local jobs in Alice Springs and engaged about 100 businesses, Ms Hughes said in November last year.

The Northern Territory Government contributed $900,000 to the film’s production.

Kangaroo will hop into cinemas in Australia on September 18.