About this submission

Months after a distant volcanic eruption, a cloud of ash looms over northern Australia, plunging the region into an eternal night. As residents flee south, two brothers remain, sealed inside their apartment caring for their ailing grandmother. Between them, a quiet struggle unfolds – one longing to flee, the other clinging to what remains.

Starring Joe Bird (A24’s Talk to Me and Neon’s upcoming Leviticus) and Critics’ Choice nominee Ed Oxenbould (Wildlife), Despite the Night is a restrained psychological drama about care and devotion in the shadow of collapse.

Jack Zimmerman

Creator

Jack Zimmerman is an American-Australian filmmaker primarily based in Gadigal Land / Sydney. His films have screened at numerous Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying festivals, and is the recipient of a Young Directors Award. His upcoming projects included a short documentary about the AIDS Crisis, narrated by Oscar-nominated actor Guy Pearce, and a sci-fi environmental drama short starring Joe Bird (star of Neon's upcoming Leviticus). His films have received widespread national coverage in Australia with features in The Sydney Morning Herald, ABC, and The Age. In addition to filmmaking, Jack also has experience in development, having spent time at Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine. more...