Sophie Hyde facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sophie Hyde
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Hyde at the 2022 Berlin International Film Festival
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| Born | 1977 (age 47–48) |
| Alma mater | Flinders University La Trobe University |
| Occupation | Film director/writer/producer |
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Notable work
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52 Tuesdays Animals Good Luck to You, Leo Grande |
| Partner(s) | Bryan Mason |
| Children | 1 |
Sophie Hyde (born 1977) is an Australian film director, writer, and producer. She lives in Adelaide, South Australia. She helped start a company called Closer Productions. Sophie is known for her award-winning film 52 Tuesdays (2013). She also made the comedy-drama Animals (2019).
Sophie has directed many documentaries. One is Life in Movement (2011). It is about the dancer Tanja Liedtke. She has also made TV shows like The Hunting (2019). Her latest film, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, was shown at the Sundance Festival in 2022. Her next film, Jimpa, will star Olivia Colman and John Lithgow.
Contents
Sophie's Early Life and Learning
When Sophie was a teenager in Adelaide, she learned acting. She went to the Unley Youth Theatre. There, she met people she would work with later. She then studied film at Flinders University in Adelaide. After that, she went to La Trobe University in Melbourne. She earned her degree in 1988.
Sophie's Amazing Work
Starting Out in the 2000s
Sophie returned to Adelaide in 2005. She met Bryan Mason again. He is a film editor and cinematographer. Since then, they have worked together and are partners. They both work at their company, Closer Productions. They also raise their child, Audrey Mason-Hyde.
Films and Shows in the 2010s
Sophie and Bryan first made videos for nightclubs. Then they started making documentary films. They became friends with the choreographer and dancer Tanja Liedtke. They began making a documentary about her. Tanja sadly died in an accident in 2007. Sophie and Bryan finished the film. They called it Life in Movement.
This film won many awards. It was named best work at the 2011 Ruby Awards. It also won the 2011 Foxtel Australian Documentary Prize. It received AACTA nominations for best direction and best documentary.
Sophie directed her first feature film, 52 Tuesdays, in 2013. She also co-wrote and co-produced it. The film was shot in Adelaide. She spent a year sharing the film with audiences. 52 Tuesdays won many awards. Sophie won the World Cinema Dramatic Directing Award at Sundance in 2014. The film also won a Crystal Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.
In 2018, Sophie made Animals. It was based on a book by Emma Jane Unsworth. This film was shot in Dublin. It was her first film made outside Australia. It was shown at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. It was also shown at the Adelaide Film Festival.
In 2019, a drama mini-series was announced. It was called The Hunting. Sophie produced and directed it. It was shown on SBS TV. The show starred Richard Roxburgh and Asher Keddie.
In My Blood It Runs (2019) is a documentary. It was directed by Maya Newell. Sophie was one of the producers. It was made with Arrernte and Garrwa people. The film premiered in Toronto in 2019.
New Projects in the 2020s
Sophie started working as an international director. In 2021, she directed Good Luck to You, Leo Grande. This comedy film starred Emma Thompson. Katy Brand wrote the film. It was made in the UK. This was Sophie's first film as an independent director in a long time. She did not produce it herself. It premiered online at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival in January 2022. It was released in the US, UK, and Australia in 2022.
In April 2022, Screen Australia announced funding for new projects. One project was Jimpa. It is described as a family drama. Sophie is making it with co-writer Matthew Cormack. Liam Heyen is a producer. Aud Mason-Hyde is an executive producer. In May 2024, it was announced that Olivia Colman and John Lithgow would star in Jimpa. The film is being shot in South Australia, Amsterdam, and Helsinki. Sophie's child, Aud Mason-Hyde, is also in the film.
Sophie is also set to direct An Ideal Wife. This film is about the poet Constance Lloyd.
Closer Productions: Sophie's Company
Sophie Hyde helped create Closer Productions. She started it with Bryan Mason. This film company is in Glenside, Adelaide. Other team members include Bryan Mason (editor, director), Matthew Bate (writer, director), and Rebecca Summerton (producer).
Awards and Recognition
A film magazine called FilmInk praised Sophie's work in 2024. They said she has a "strong visual sense." They also noted her "sensitivity towards actors." They called her "nothing short of a national treasure."
Here are some of her awards:
- Many awards and nominations for 52 Tuesdays.
- 2009: Melbourne International Film Festival — Best Experimental Short Film — Winner (with Kat Worth) — Necessary Games.
- 2012: AACTA Awards — Nominee for Best Feature Length Documentary — Life in Movement (2011).
- 2012: AACTA Awards — Nominee for Best Direction in a Documentary — Life in Movement (2011).
- 2018: Screen Producers Australia (SPA) Awards - Online Series Production of the Year – Winner (Closer Productions) – ... Adelaide (2017).
Sophie's Filmography
As a Director
- Ok, Let's Talk About Me (2005) - short documentary.
- The Road to Wallaroo (2006) - short documentary.
- My Last Ten Hours with you (2007) - short drama/ romance film.
- Necessary Games (2009) - short drama/fantasy.
- Elephantiasis (2010) - short film. Won Best Director, World of Women Film Festival.
- Life in Movement (2011) - documentary about dancer Tanja Liedtke.
- 52 Tuesdays (2014) - drama.
- Animals (2019) - comedy/drama.
- Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (2022).
- Jimpa (Coming Soon).
- An Ideal Wife (Coming Soon).
As a Producer
- Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventure (2011) - documentary/comedy/drama.
- Sam Klemke's Time Machine (2015) - documentary.
- My Best Friend is Stuck on the Ceiling (2015) - short comic film.
- In My Blood It Runs (2019) - documentary.
Television Work
- ... Adelaide (2017) - TV comedy drama mini-series (6 short episodes) for ABC TV.
- The Hunting (2019) - four-part drama miniseries for SBS.
Other Work
- Beyond Beliefs: Muslims & Non-Muslims in Australia (2007) - documentary video.
- Wastelander Panda (2012) - a three-part webseries.
See also
