General News
23 August, 2026
‘Storm Bird’ premieres at Babinda
FEATURE film ‘Storm Bird’, shot entirely on location across Gordonvale, Babinda, Bramston Beach, Ross and Locke Park, has premiered at Babinda’s Munro Picture Theatre.
Writer, co-director and lead actor James Ivor grew up in Gordonvale. He self-funded the film with family and friends, cast mostly a local crew and spent 14 years getting it made. The story follows three strangers thrown together for one weekend in a fictional Far North town.
It’s named after the Pacific koel, known locally as the “storm bird,” a call that signals change is coming.
Filming took three weeks last year and also starred acclaimed Australian stage actor Anthony Phelan and Canadian artist Serena ven Sandalwood.
The film premiered at Babinda on 6 August, followed by Malanda on 9 August and Mareeba on 16 August, before hitting cinemas nationally.
Mr Ivor cut his teeth on stage at Cairns’ little Rondo Theatre and then went on to become an actor, writer, producer and co-director.
The heritage-listed Munro Theatre was packed for the premiere with a line down the street for tickets.
Read More: Cairns