Some documentaries aim to explain the world. Others invite audiences to experience it in a completely different way. PHENOMENA, the new feature documentary from filmmaker Josef Gatti, appears to do both — blending scientific curiosity with visual experimentation to create an immersive exploration of the universe itself.
The film has released its first teaser and poster ahead of its World Premiere at the True/False Film Fest on March 5, 2026, followed shortly by its European Premiere at CPH:DOX on March 17. The early glimpse signals a documentary that moves beyond traditional storytelling, unfolding as what its creators describe as a psychedelic journey through the forces shaping the natural world.
Executive produced by the Academy Award–nominated studio Sandbox Films and Radiolab’s Jad Abumrad, PHENOMENA follows Gatti’s practical experiments designed to reveal hidden patterns in nature. Instead of relying on digital effects or artificial imagery, the film captures its visuals entirely in-camera, transforming natural processes into something that feels both scientific and poetic.
The resulting imagery moves fluidly across scale — from subatomic phenomena to cosmic motion — inviting viewers to see familiar elements of the universe from entirely new perspectives. Accompanying the film’s hypnotic visuals is music from acclaimed composer Nils Frahm, alongside an original electronic score by Rival Consoles, creating a sonic environment that enhances the film’s sense of wonder.
For Gatti, the project represents the culmination of years spent observing and documenting the natural world. As he explains, the film grew out of nearly a decade of experimentation and exploration, searching for moments where art and science intersect in unexpected ways. The result is not simply a documentary about nature, but a cinematic experience that encourages audiences to feel its complexity rather than merely understand it.
Producer Rob Innes describes the collaboration with Gatti as a creative journey shaped by the filmmaker’s unique perspective and visual language. Through meticulous cinematography and practical experimentation, Gatti reveals details of the world that are often invisible in everyday life.
That sense of discovery also resonated with the team at Sandbox Films. Executive Director Jessica Harrop describes the project as an audio-visual experience unlike anything she had seen before — one that aims to transport audiences through both sound and image.
Industry supporters have also highlighted the film’s unusual blend of scientific inquiry and artistic imagination. Screen Australia’s Head of Documentary Richard Huddleston noted that PHENOMENA expands the possibilities of documentary filmmaking by combining scientific observation with creative interpretation, creating a work that feels both intellectually engaging and visually explosive.
The film marks a major milestone for Melbourne-based filmmaker Josef Gatti, who wrote, directed, produced, shot, edited, and narrated the project. It builds upon an earlier multi-platform version of Phenomena that was broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and screened internationally at festivals and immersive exhibition spaces. That earlier series was recognized by The Guardian as the second-best Australian series of 2021.
Behind the scenes, the feature-length documentary brings together an international creative team. Alongside Gatti and producer Rob Innes, the film includes contributions from co-writer and co-producer Joseph Nizeti, editor Johanna Scott, cinematographer Martine Wolff, sound designer Pip Atherstone-Reid, and art director Pernell Marsden, with support from Screen Australia and VicScreen.
PHENOMENA is produced by Gatti and Mashup Pictures, with principal funding from Sandbox Films and Screen Australia. The project continues Sandbox Films’ mission of supporting artist-driven documentaries that explore scientific ideas through creativity and storytelling.
As the film prepares to debut on the international festival stage, its creators hope audiences will approach it not simply as a scientific documentary but as an invitation to rediscover the beauty of the natural world. Through light, motion, and sound, PHENOMENA suggests that the universe still holds endless mysteries — and that sometimes the most powerful way to explore them is through curiosity, patience, and a willingness to look a little closer.
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