by FilmInk Staff
Screening at Golden Age Cinema between August 29th and September 7th is Groovescooter’s 5th annual STROBE Music Film Festival
STROBE Music Film Festival is back at its beloved home, the Golden Age Cinema & Bar, running across two weekends from 29 August to 7 September 2025. This year’s program once again delivers a stellar lineup of Sydney premieres and music-driven cinematic gems.
Opening the festival on Friday 29 August is Alfonso Maiorana’s Goddess of Slide: The Forgotten Story of Ellen McIlwaine. This revelatory documentary celebrates the life of the groundbreaking—but often overlooked—Canadian slide guitar virtuoso and singer. Known for opening shows for legends like Odetta, Richie Havens, and Jimi Hendrix (over six electrifying nights), McIlwaine’s defining moment came in 1971 at New York’s Carnegie Hall, sharing the stage with funk pioneers Mandrill.
Also receiving its Australian Premiere at STROBE is Electronic Body Music, a kinetic dive into the dance-floor evolution of industrial music. Tracing its roots through Post-Punk and Neue Deutsche Welle, the film explores how this sound laid the foundations for techno and modern club culture.
Other program highlights include: I Can’t Be Anyone But Me – a powerful new documentary on blues powerhouse Big Mama Thornton, who emerged from rural Alabama to record classics like ‘Hound Dog’ and ‘Ball & Chain’, the latter reinterpreted and made famous by Janis Joplin.
We see a return of Whoopee Blues after two sold-out sessions at Antenna Film Festival earlier this year, with. It’s an emotional rollercoaster of laughter and heartbreak and follows the unforgettable story of the Conway Brothers, a tale that resonates long after the credits roll.
STROBE expands beyond documentaries with a rare screening of Christopher Petit’s cult road movie – Radio On. Set in late-’70s Britain, the film follows a London DJ on a brooding, existential journey west in search of answers about his brother’s death. Moody and atmospheric, it’s powered by a soundtrack featuring David Bowie, Kraftwerk, Devo + more.
Closing night with Oscar Peterson: Black + White – a celebration of the life and legacy of legendary Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. This documentary explores his remarkable journey and influence, featuring interviews and a special tribute session performed by renowned jazz musicians. Archival footage and interviews with some of the greats including Quincy Jones, Ramsey Lewis, Herbie Hancock, Billy Joel and many more jazz greats.
STROBE Music Film Festival: August 29 – Sept 7th is curated by Georgie Zuzak.
STROBE MUSIC FILM FESTIVAL | GOLDEN AGE CINEMA
