30 May 2025
Sydney Film Festival Announces Australian Premiere of Splitsville as Closing Night Film
Sydney Film Festival will close its 72nd edition with the Australian Premiere of Splitsville, the new comedy from director Michael Angelo Covino (The Climb), starring Dakota Johnson, at the State Theatre on Sunday 15 June.
An audience favourite at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Splitsville is a sharp and stylish comedy exploring the complexities of love, commitment and modern relationships. It follows Carey (Kyle Marvin), a good-natured husband thrown into turmoil when his wife Ashley (Adria Arjona) asks for a divorce. Seeking solace from his closest friends, Julie (Dakota Johnson) and Paul (Michael Covino), he’s shocked to discover that their secret to happiness is an open marriage — but then he crosses a line, and throws all their relationships into chaos.
“We are delighted to close the 72nd Sydney Film Festival with the Australian Premiere of Splitsville,” said SFF Festival Director Nashen Moodley. “Michael Angelo Covino delivers a witty and well-crafted comedy with outstanding performances from a brilliant ensemble cast. We always want audiences to leave the cinema feeling like they’ve had a great time, so this is a joyous and fitting way to conclude this year’s Festival.”
The screening will mark the official Closing Night Gala and Award Ceremony for the 72nd Sydney Film Festival, where the winner of the $60,000 Sydney Film Prize will be revealed alongside a slate of other major awards, totalling a $200,000 prize pool.
Sydney Film Festival runs 4–15 June 2025. Tickets and Flexipasses are on sale now. Visit sff.org.au for more information.
The full Sydney Film Festival 2025 program can be found online at sff.org.au.
Sydney Film Festival runs from 4-15 June 2025. Tickets and Flexipasses to Sydney Film Festival 2025 are on sale now. Please call 1300 733 733 or visit sff.org.au for more information or to book.
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EDITOR’S NOTES
ABOUT SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL
The Sydney Film Festival is one of the world’s longest-running and most prestigious film festivals. The 72nd edition, taking place from 4 to 15 June 2025, will showcase the very best in contemporary cinema and offer audiences the chance to experience premieres, red carpet events, and exciting special programs across Sydney.
The Festival is supported by the NSW Government through Screen NSW and Destination NSW, the Federal Government through Screen Australia, and the City of Sydney.
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FILM INFORMATION
SPLITSVILLE
In this rollicking romantic comedy, writers Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin (The Climb) act alongside Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona. A sparky, surprising take on the pleasures and perils of open relationships from Cannes.
Not long into their marriage, Ashley (Arjona) informs Carey (Marvin) that she wants a divorce, and has in fact already been seeing other people. He is utterly devastated. Seeking solace, Carey repairs to the luxurious house of his best friend Paul (Covino) and his wife Julie (Johnson). The happily married Paul and Julie reveal the secret of their longevity: having an open relationship. Carey is surprised, then titillated – and soon he initiates an intense sexual relationship with Julie, to her husband’s utter rage. The hilarious, extended fight scene that ensues is sure to go down in cinematic lore. As the two couples deal with their new realities, Splitsville takes unpredictable, joyous and moving paths. With winning performances by the leads, and a fabulous and very funny turn by Nicholas Braun (Succession) as a melancholic mentalist, this is a witty, stylish and risqué rom-com about sex and love in modern times.