Fresh out of cinemas, Jimpa – the new film by acclaimed director Sophie Hyde (Good Luck to you, Leo Grande) – is now available for community-hosted screenings across Australia.
Community ‘hosts’ will have exclusive access to a live Q&A with actors Olivia Colman, Kate Box, Aud Mason-Hyde and filmmaker Sophie Hyde on Tuesday May 13th at 9.30pm (AEST), to celebrate the launch and to spark meaningful conversations in the lead up to the International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination (IDAHOBIT, May 17th).
Director Sophie Hyde, said, “We are thrilled to have Olivia Colman join us on May 13th as we bring JIMPA to homes, workplaces and communities, to spark conversations and connections between generations and mobilise support for LGBTIQA+ communities.”
Jimpa is Hyde’s most personal film to date, inspired by her own family. Filmmaker Hannah (Colman) takes her trans nonbinary teenager Frances (Aud Mason-Hyde) to Amsterdam, to visit their gay grandfather – lovingly known as “Jimpa” (Lithgow). But Frances’ desire to stay with Jimpa for a year abroad means Hannah is forced to reconsider her beliefs about parenting and finally confront old stories about the past.
In an interview with Variety, actor Olivia Colman said, “I love the fact that this film is about learning how to listen to each other without throwing the toys out the crib. I don’t understand how you can get so upset about it when someone is different”, and with Vanity Fair, Colman said, “If I could work with the queer community and trans people on every film, I’d have the happiest life. Also, I learned more about myself.”
Funny, accessible, full of sadness and joy, and with a wonderful multi-generational cast, Jimpa is a celebration of LGBTIQA+ culture. It brings a queer family to screen, taking a nuanced look at just how much has changed in terms of social expectation and our understanding of family over three generations.
Actor Aud Mason-Hyde, said, “I think it’s so rare that we see characters like Frances and Jim, queer characters who live full happy lives and whose problems don’t arise solely from their queerness… I hope these characters – and this film – can offer an opportunity for queer, trans communities and our allies to commune, organise and connect across generations.”
Australian stage, film and television actor Kate Box (Deadloch) will join Colman, Mason-Hyde and Hyde for the live Q&A on the evening of Wednesday May 13th.
Sophie Hyde said, “Kate is such a fine actor. I think everyone in Australia knows that and putting her and Olivia in scenes together was quite electric.”
The community-hosted screenings program is available to organisations, workplaces, community groups, schools and universities and individuals hosting ‘watch parties’ at home.
Upon licensing the film, hosts receive promotional resources, additional videos from the film team, and a conversation guide built in partnership with Transcend Australia, Trans Justice Project, ACON Love Project and Life Rites.
The ‘Host a Screening’ program will open to communities, workplaces and individuals in New Zealand in August 2026.
Find more information here: jimpafilm.com/host-screening
