Life Could Be A Dream arrives in Sydney for a special preview screening and Q&A at Palace Cinemas Moore Park, supporting Good Shepherd’s work with women and families.
Early evening settles over Moore Park with the slow rhythm of a Sydney autumn. Commuters pass through nearby streets while the lights of the entertainment precinct begin to glow. Outside the cinema entrance, small groups gather beneath the fading daylight, tickets in hand, conversations drifting between anticipation and curiosity.
Inside, the foyer carries the familiar sounds of a film night — the soft rustle of programs, the murmur of audiences arriving, the scent of fresh popcorn mixing with cooler evening air slipping through the doors.
But this particular screening holds a slightly different atmosphere.
On Wednesday 22 April, audiences will gather for a special preview of Life Could Be A Dream, an Australian feature film whose themes of resilience, family and quiet courage resonate well beyond the cinema screen.
Hosted at Palace Cinemas Moore Park, the evening forms part of a fundraising event supporting the work of Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, an organisation dedicated to advancing financial independence and safety for women and families.
The event offers something rare in the rhythm of the cinema calendar: a film premiere that also opens a broader conversation.
The Story At The Heart Of Life Could Be A Dream
At its centre, Life Could Be A Dream tells a story that unfolds quietly but with emotional depth.
The film follows Sarah, a forty-year-old woman standing at a turning point in her life. For years, she has lived within circumstances shaped by control, expectation and fear. Now, alongside her teenage son, she begins to imagine something different.
A temporary refuge appears in an unexpected place — a grand mansion she has been tasked with selling. Within its echoing rooms and expansive gardens, Sarah begins to contemplate a future defined not by survival, but by choice.
Director Jasmin Tarasin describes the film as a fractured fairytale, a story that explores the fragile moment when a person steps beyond the boundaries of their past.
In Life Could Be A Dream, the relationship between Sarah and her son becomes the emotional centre of the narrative. Together they attempt to rewrite patterns that have shaped their lives, searching for a different kind of future.
The Creative Voices Behind Life Could Be A Dream
The film marks the feature debut of Australian filmmaker Jasmin Tarasin, whose work here combines an intimate storytelling style with a broader social awareness.
The screenplay was written by acclaimed Australian author Courtney Collins, known for novels such as The Burial and Bird. Her writing brings a lyrical sensitivity to the film’s exploration of relationships and personal transformation.
On screen, actor Maeve Dermody delivers the central performance as Sarah, supported by Alexander England and newcomer Sonny McGee.
Behind the camera, Australian cinematographer Meg White shapes the visual landscape of the story, while the film’s music blends compositions from Australian musician Dan Luscombe with pieces by pianist Hania Rani and the duo Time for Dreams.
Together, these elements give Life Could Be A Dream a quiet, reflective tone — a film more interested in emotional shifts than dramatic spectacle.
Life Could Be A Dream And Conversations That Matter
While Life Could Be A Dream unfolds as a personal story, it also reflects a broader social reality.
Many forms of family violence remain hidden within everyday life, particularly those connected to financial control and coercion. The film gently illuminates these experiences, encouraging audiences to recognise the subtle dynamics that can shape relationships.
For organisations such as Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, storytelling can become an important tool in raising awareness.
The preview screening therefore carries an additional purpose. A portion of all ticket sales from the event will support programs assisting women experiencing financial abuse and domestic violence.
These initiatives focus on rebuilding financial confidence and independence — helping individuals regain control of their lives.
In this way, Life Could Be A Dream becomes part of a wider conversation about resilience and recovery.
Life Could Be A Dream And The Q&A That Follows
Following the screening, the evening will continue with a live Q&A session featuring several voices involved in the film’s creation.
Director Jasmin Tarasin will be joined by writer Courtney Collins and producers Catherine Church and Clare Lewis, along with a representative from Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand.
Together, they will discuss the ideas behind Life Could Be A Dream — from the process of bringing the story to the screen to the real-world issues reflected in its narrative.
For audiences, the conversation offers a rare glimpse into the collaboration between filmmakers, writers and organisations working to address social change.
The exchange promises to extend the themes of the film beyond the screen and into the room itself.
A Sydney Evening Of Film And Reflection
Events like this have long been part of Sydney’s film culture.
The city’s cinemas often serve not only as places of entertainment, but as meeting points where stories intersect with community life.
As the audience gathers at Palace Cinemas Moore Park, the atmosphere will likely feel both celebratory and contemplative.
The lights will dim. The screen will glow.
For the next ninety minutes, Life Could Be A Dream will invite viewers into a story about courage, transformation and the fragile hope of new beginnings.
Later, stepping back into the cool night air of Moore Park, the crowd will disperse gradually across the entertainment precinct.
The film’s title may linger in the mind.
Life could be a dream — but sometimes, it begins with the quiet decision to imagine something different.
Event Details
Life Could Be A Dream – Preview Screening & Q&A
Date: Wednesday 22 April 2026
Time: 6:00 PM
Location:
Palace Cinemas Moore Park
The Entertainment Quarter
Shop 215 / 122 Lang Rd
Moore Park NSW 2021
Official Website:
https://lifecouldbeadream.com.au
National Cinema Release:
14 May 2026