In 2007, a small indie film captured the specific, restless energy of Brisbane’s creative class. All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane became a cult hit by asking a generation of locals a difficult question: Should I stay, or do I owe it to my ambitions to flee for London or Sydney?.
Twenty years later, the conversation has changed—and so has the city. Filmmakers Stephen Vagg (writer/producer) and Louise Alston (director/producer) have returned with a “spiritual sequel” that explores the complexities of coming home. Fresh off winning Best Queensland Feature Film at the Gold Coast Film Festival, All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane is a testament to what happens when you stop waiting for permission and start making your own luck.
A Journey from “Leaving” to “Living”
The new feature explores the “midlife crisis” of returning. The story follows Cris (played by Nelle Lee), a lawyer who returns to Brisbane after a decade in London following a sudden breakup. She finds herself back in the familiar orbits of New Farm and the West End, navigating old flames and a city that has moved on without her.
The project grew out of a stage play Vagg originally swore he would never adapt for the screen. But after years of waiting for larger projects to move forward, the duo decided to “go down swinging”. Vagg famously funded the production using his final script fees from a 15-year tenure on Neighbours shortly before the series’ second cancellation.
The $13,000 Masterclass in DIY Cinema
While the production was initially greenlit with a $10,000 cash goal, the final budget landed at a lean $13,000. The modest price tag is deceptive; by reinvesting their fees and calling in a decade’s worth of favours, the team delivered a production with an estimated professional value of $300,000.
To capture this “Brisbane story,” DP Chase Brockett used a Sony FX6 with rehoused vintage lenses to create a visual link to the 2007 original. “We wanted to make the Brisbane skyline a character in itself,” Brockett says, noting that the handheld style was chosen to reflect the “messy” journey of self-discovery his lead character undergoes.
The production was a masterclass in efficiency:
- Daylight Strategy: Louise Alston filmed exclusively in daylight so the crew could finish by 5:00 PM, prioritising respect and sustainable hours.
- Minimalist Crew: The team relied on a tiny, dedicated crew—including Gaffer Rhys Cooper and AC Angus Hodgson—to shoot the entire feature in just nine to ten days.
- Caffeine-Fuelled: The primary cash expenses were reserved for essentials: insurance, workers’ compensation, equipment, and high-quality coffee.
A Powerhouse Cast Returns
The film’s greatest asset is its cast, many of whom have gone on to major international careers. Nelle Lee, Artistic Director of Shake & Stir Theatre Co., leads a team that includes Andrew Steel (winner of Best Actor at the 2026 World Film Festival in Cannes), Dan Ewing (Love and Monsters), and Kym Jackson (NCIS).
For the filmmakers, this isn’t just about a premiere—it’s a homecoming. As the film prepares for its Brisbane red carpet, it will also head to Alston’s “second home” in Newcastle and the pair’s former home in Melbourne, where they previously worked as directors and script producers on Ramsay Street.
Upcoming Q&A Tour Dates
- Brisbane: 29 May 2026 at Five Star Cinemas, New Farm.
- Newcastle: 20 June 2026 at Tower Cinemas.
- Melbourne: 9 July 2026 at Lido Cinemas.
Credits & Sources
- Director/Producer: Louise Alston.
- Writer/Producer: Stephen Vagg.
- DP: Chase Brockett.
- Cast: Nelle Lee, Andrew Steel, Dan Ewing, Kym Jackson, Brooke Lee, Tim Ross, and Julian Curtis.
- Interviews: Based on recorded conversations with Phillip Blake (13 May 2026) and official electronic press kits.
