It's Our Time: A New Indie Rom-Com Brings Sydney's Creative Scene to the Big Screen

As Sydney's indie film scene continues to grow, Joy House Productions and Avenoir Productions bring us It's Our Time, a romantic comedy where creative dreams collide with unexpected romance, and the sparks fly in the least likely ways.

Set against the backdrop of Sydney's vibrant arts and culture scene, It's Our Time delivers an inside look at the highs and lows of chasing dreams in the creative world. The story centers on Emilia Kong, a young filmmaker (played by Tiana Hogben, Thank God You're Here) on the verge of eviction who clings to the belief that her script will be her ticket to financial freedom. When her funding application is rejected, Emilia takes a bold step by heading straight to Film Reach headquarters. There, she meets Shannon Edmunds (Peter Thurnwald, XO, Kitty / Bump), a funding officer who seems like the perfect connection to make her dreams a reality"until things take an unexpected twist.

What's unique about It's Our Time is that it presents a love triangle that steers away from cliché. When Shannon finds himself drawn to Emilia's best friend, Zoe Chadwick (Bianca Bradey, Wyrmwood), Emilia's path takes an unpredictable turn. The film weaves an endearing balance between ambition and romance, friendship and competition, making for a refreshingly real take on what it's like to juggle aspirations with relationships in a bustling creative city.

Joy Hopwood, the film's director and writer, describes the project as a passion-driven celebration of Sydney's film community and the dreams that fuel it. "There's a dynamic energy to filming in Sydney, and we wanted to capture that through the characters' ambitions and their interactions," Hopwood explains. "There's always this beautiful tension between reaching for something big and staying grounded with the people around you."

For Thurnwald and Hogben, who play the central roles, the film allowed them to bring a playful chemistry to the screen that mirrors real-life dynamics in creative spaces. "One of my favorite parts of filming was the freedom Joy gave us to improvise," says Thurnwald. "The scenes felt alive, and I think audiences will connect with that. You can feel Sydney's spirit in every scene."

It's worth noting that It's Our Time also pays homage to the late Lex Marinos, who brought his signature humor and warmth to his final role in the film. His presence adds an emotional layer to the film, and Hopwood, along with the cast and crew, dedicates the film to him in a moving tribute in the closing credits.

It's Our Time hits the Randwick Ritz on February 9, before wrapping up its theatrical run at Melbourne's Lido Cinemas on February 16. Beyond its charming love story, the film is a testament to the grit, heart, and humor of Sydney's indie film scene. Don't miss the chance to experience a film that celebrates Sydney's artistic pulse and honors a remarkable talent.

Tickets  https://www.lidocinemas.com.au/movies/its-our-time