The Golden Spurtle at Sydney Film Festival 2025

Documentary Australia-supported film The Golden Spurtle is a crowd-pleaser set in a picturesque Scottish village where contestants from around the globe have gathered for the annual World Porridge Making Championship.

The sleepy Highlands community of Carrbridge comes alive each year when the Porridge Committee begins their preparations. Then the contestants arrive, including reigning champ Lisa and seven-time finalist Nick, a health food aficionado, along with contenders from Canada, the Netherlands, Zimbabwe, and Australian newbie Toby (a taco chef!). The judges pick up their spoons… the oatmeal battle is on.

Director Constantine Costi captures the charm and spunk of this Highlands competition with warmth, respect and lashings of humour.

Documentary Australia: What does it mean to you to be nominated for the Documentary Australia Award?

Constantine Costi: The entire team was absolutely thrilled to be nominated for this award. When we first set out to make The Golden Spurtle, it was a small, curious idea — something sparked by a desire to try something different, to explore new ways of telling stories and creating work.

I started this project with just wandering around Carrbridge, just watching people get on with their lives. We were drawn to the creation of a new tradition – a porridge competition – and the people who cared so deeply about it. The fact that this humble beginning has led to recognition, and a nomination for the Documentary Australia Award, is honestly quite moving. It’s a reminder that stories with heart, no matter how niche or unexpected, can resonate widely when they’re made with care and conviction. We’re incredibly proud of the journey and grateful to be recognised alongside such an inspiring group of filmmakers.

DA: How did support from Documentary Australia help shape your journey?

CC: Documentary Australia played a crucial role in helping us bring The Golden Spurtle to life by offering a strategic and creative platform that allowed us to grow the project in ways we wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. In a world where its increasingly difficult to bring to life ideas that are left of the field. Their framework gave us access to fundraising opportunities that simply wouldn’t have been available to us as an independent team. Just as importantly, they provided a trusted space to communicate directly with our donors, which helped build lasting relationships and a real sense of community around the film.

With their support, we were able to think more ambitiously and dig deeper into the heart of the story — one that’s not just about oats, but about passion, tradition, and the joyful absurdity of chasing a dream.

DA: Do you have any advice for emerging filmmakers who want to create change through documentary?

CC: Our advice to emerging filmmakers? Follow your nose. Let curiosity lead the way, stay open to the unexpected, and approach every subject with empathy. Big stories often grow from small beginnings.