The highly anticipated documentary, It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, is set to grace the screens at the 2025 Sydney Film Festival. The film has been officially selected and will be screened from June 4th to June 15th, offering festival-goers a profound look into the life of the revered alt-rock artist.

Directed by Amy Berg, known for her work on Janis: Little Girl Blue, this new documentary is described as a tender portrait of Jeff Buckley. It meticulously traces Buckley's journey, from his early childhood and the complexities of his relationship with his father, through his immersion in the vibrant 1990s New York art scene, to the creation of his seminal and only studio album, Grace.

The film delves deep into Buckley's world by drawing upon rare, never-before-seen footage and personal archives. Despite releasing just one studio album before his untimely death in 1997, Buckley's influence has resonated through decades, and the documentary aims to highlight his enduring impact on subsequent generations of artists and music fans. Viewers can expect a rich tapestry woven from live performances, intimate interviews with those who knew him best, and poignant excerpts from his personal notebooks.

Director Amy Berg shared her profound connection to the project, stating, “This film has been a labor of love.” She elaborated on the film's intimate nature: “It feels as close as one could get to Jeff without knowing him. His story really comes alive when you sit with the three main women in his life and hear their stories and feel their pain. The film starts and ends with them because you get to know him through his music and these defining relationships.” Berg also reflected on the five-year journey of making the film, describing it as “a giant chapter in my own life” and hoping it will be “as much a journey for me as I hope it will be for its audience.”

It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, garnering attention before its Sydney screening. Its inclusion is part of a wave of new titles announced by the Sydney Film Festival, which also features other acclaimed international films. Among these are Cannes winners such as Sentimental Value, a family drama by Joachim Trier, and Sirât, a rave-fuelled road movie produced by the legendary Pedro Almodóvar.

Nashen Moodley, the SFF Festival Director, expressed enthusiasm about the late additions, emphasizing the festival's commitment to bringing fresh and exciting cinema to its audience. “The Festival starts in just two days, but we think it’s never too late to add the most exciting new films to the Festival, fresh from their international premieres,” Moodley stated.

The addition of It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley further enriches the diverse lineup of the 2025 Sydney Film Festival, promising a compelling experience for music lovers and cinephiles alike. For those interested in exploring the full festival program, details are available on the official Sydney Film Festival website at sff.org.au.