Under Streetlights: Star Leighton Mason speaks on overcoming cancer to make debut

After only being given three months to live, one Centralian decided to cross a longstanding dream off his bucket list: becoming an actor. Find out where you can watch the film.

Leighton Mason makes his big-screen debut in Under Streetlights, a Territory-made productions debuting at Darwin's Deckchair Cinema on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. Picture: Supplied

A self-described “accidental actor” – who was given three months left to live after a cancer diagnosis – is making his big screen debut in a homegrown film which is getting an Australia-wide theatrical release.

Under Streetlights is an Alice Springs-made feature film, premiering at Darwin’s Deckchair Cinema on Wednesday, September 18, as part of the Darwin International Film Festival. 

Leighton Mason makes his big-screen debut in Under Streetlights with Jacob Harvey. Picture: Supplied

Directed by Danielle Loy, the film also big screen debuts from Madison Hull, Jacob Harvey, Kevin Lechleitner, and Leighton Mason.

Mr Mason was previously given three months to live after receiving a diagnosis of tongue cancer.

“I was that far up the ladder with cancer I only had probably one last chance, and that was chemo and radiation,” he said.

Three years later, Mr Mason will attending the premiere of the film.

Mr Mason – who called himself an “accidental actor” – said he only took the role on a whim after his nephew told him other actors had pulled out from the production.

With a slight script change he said “everything fell into place”.

“I was meant to be a singer, but I can’t sing for crap … so we changed that script from being a singer to a dancer,” he said.

The film follows the story of an aspiring Aboriginal hip-hop artist (Jacob Harvey) who forms a relationship with the daughter (Madison Hull) of the policeman who arrested his father (Leighton Mason).

Leighton Mason. Picture: Supplied

Ms Loy said the film was born out of creative workshops she was running in Central Australia, and the film features a “100 per cent” local cast and crew.

The film features an original soundtrack, and tells a “Territory story from a raw and honest perspective”, Ms Loy said.

“It’s been an absolute labour of love,” she said.

“It’s not been made possible without support from such an incredible amount of people,” she said.

“We’ve done this completely independently.”

After Darwin, the film will then be shown in Alice Springs in October, before it’s taken around the rest of the country, Ms Loy said.

Under Streetlights will get a full cinema release in January next year.