Toronto’s Midnight Madness Has a New Favorite Son

The Toronto Film Festival has long been a launchpad for emerging talent, but this year’s Midnight Madness section has added another notch to its belt by showcasing the work of Australian filmmakers. Blue Finch Films’ acquisition of worldwide sales rights (excluding Australia and New Zealand) to Nick Kozakis’ “Kick On” is the latest example of Toronto’s appeal to up-and-coming talent from Down Under.

Kozakis, a veteran of the horror genre, has already made a name for himself with his previous film, “Godless: The Eastfield Exorcism,” which won an award at the Sitges Film Festival. With “Kick On,” he takes a more bombastic approach, as four friends stumble into a chaotic world of crime and violence.

The ensemble cast, featuring Markella Kavenagh from Amazon’s “Rings of Power” and Nikolai Nikolaeff from Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” adds to the film’s potential. Mike Chapman, president of Blue Finch Films, describes “Kick On” as an “adrenaline-fueled rollercoaster ride that will bring the house down in Toronto.”

Blue Finch’s recent slate includes a pair of Fantasia premieres and George MacKay-fronted “Mission,” backed by BBC Film and Screen Scotland. This suggests the company is betting big on new talent, with Kozakis’ film being a key part of its strategy.

Kozakis has said that “Kick On” is the kind of movie that believes in excess – more blood, more mayhem, more action. But what does this say about what audiences are really looking for? Is it the intensity and unpredictability of these films, or something deeper?

Behind-the-scenes, Fableist Films, the production company behind “Kick On,” is making waves with its sustainable model, designed to give directors like Kozakis as much creative freedom as possible. The company’s founders, Stephanie Troost and Simon Bell, have a vision for ambitious cinema that’s meant to be watched in community – preferably with the volume up.

As the film industry continues to navigate the challenges of global audiences fragmented by streaming services, it remains to be seen what this means for international film sales. However, one thing is certain: Toronto Midnight Madness has just gained another exciting addition to its roster.