Screenwest and Screen Australia together with Madman are pleased to announce Zoe Pepper’s debut feature film, Birthright has been selected to make its world premiere at the esteemed Tribeca Film Festival 2025 in New York.
The Western Australian film is a darkly twisted tale about a disillusioned generation and their chase for the success of their baby boomer parents.
Set in a single location, filming took place in the Perth Hills across five weeks last year.
It stars Travis Jeffery (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Unbroken, Gallipoli) and Maria Angelico (The Newsreader, Strife, Sisters) together with Linda Cropper (Offspring, Upgrade) and Michael Hurst (Hercules, Spartacus).
Founded by Robert De Niro in 2002, Tribeca Film Festival brings artists and diverse audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, TV, music, audio storytelling, games, and immersive.
With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is synonymous with creative expression and entertainment. Tribeca champions emerging and established voices, discovers award-winning talent, curates innovative experiences, and introduces new ideas through exclusive premieres, exhibitions, conversations, and live performances.
Writer/Director Zoe Pepper said “We’re stoked to be playing at Tribeca Film Festival, what an honour! I’ve worked with so many talented people to bring Birthright to life, so massive kudos to everyone involved. And a massive thanks to Screenwest and Screen Australia for believing in me and Cody and Birthright – couldn’t have done it without you!”
Producer Cody Greenwood said “Producing Birthright has been a highlight of my career. Zoe and I have had an incredible time making the film together and I’m thrilled that audiences are about to see how immensely talented she is. We are looking forward to showcasing the film at Tribeca and releasing it to Australian audiences in the near future.”
The thriller comedy was made possible thanks to Screenwest’s highly coveted West Coast Visions initiative which is designed to uncover, inspire and develop talented and motivated WA filmmakers with distinctive visions to produce their debut feature film in WA.
The film is written and directed by Zoe Pepper (Lift, The Big Spaghetti) with producer Cody Greenwood (Otto by Otto, Under The Volcano, Girl Like You), co-producer Kate Neylon (Hotel Coolgardie, Below), executive producers John Maynard (Romulus, My Father, The Boys), John Battsek (Beckham, Searching for Sugarman) and Sarah Thomson (Deepest Breath, Australian Dream), and editor Luca Cappelli (You Won’t Be Alone, Acute Misfortune), as well as an all-star lineup of Western Australian crew including director of photography Michael McDermott ACS (Hounds of Love), production designer Ocea Sellar (Mystic Pines) and costume designer Texx Montana (He Ain’t Heavy).
Screenwest CEO, Rikki Lea Bestall said, “Congratulations Zoe, Cody and all the incredibly talented Western Australian crew who brought this film to the big screen! It’s fantastic to see Zoe’s debut feature film Birthright selected for Tribeca Film Festival. Screenwest is proud to have supported the film, and we are excited for WA’s talent and stories to be shared on the world’s stage.”
Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content, Louise Gough said, “Screen Australia is delighted for Zoe and Cody and the selection of Birthright to make a splash on the world stage at Tribeca Film Festival. I congratulate this trailblazing team on creating this smart, funny and wild cinematic journey for a worldwide audience.”
Production credit: Birthright is a Rush Films production. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest and Lotterywest. Local distribution by Madman Entertainment. Post, digital and visual effects supported by Sandbox Productions. Developed with the assistance of Screenwest and Lotterywest.
Birthright will make its world premiere in New York at Tribeca Film Festival 4 – 15 June 2025.
