James Gray’s “Paper Tiger” will close the 2026 Sydney Film Festival, with the Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller-led film set for its Australian premiere at the State Theatre on Sunday, June 14th.
The crime thriller – which earned a 10-minute standing ovation at its Cannes world premiere earlier this month – marks Gray’s sixth title to screen in competition at the French festival. North American rights were acquired by Neon ahead of the Cannes bow.
Set in 1980s New York, the film follows a suburban family that gets entangled with the Russian mob. Driver plays Gary Pearl, a former police officer and older brother to Teller’s Irwin, an engineer, while Johansson plays Irwin’s wife Hester. The casting reunites Driver and Johansson for the first time since 2019’s “Marriage Story”, for which both received Academy Award nominations.
The closing night screening will double as the festival’s official Gala and Award Ceremony, where the winner of the $60,000 Sydney Film Prize will be announced alongside a broader slate of awards totalling a $200,000 prize pool.
“James Gray has made a meticulous, riveting film on the complexity of family dynamics in a challenging world, featuring tremendous performances,” SFF Festival Director Nashen Moodley said.
“This closing night film is one that will leave a lasting impression and will conclude the festival on a high note.”
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Sydney Film Festival runs June 3rd–14th at the State Theatre, Sydney Opera House and cinemas across the city. Click here for more details.