‘Phenomena’ Clip: In Dazzling World Premiere Documentary, Filmmaker Takes Viewers On “Hypnotic Adventure” Blurring Art & Science
EXCLUSIVE:Phenomena, premiering this Thursday at the True/False film fest in Columbia, MO, offers nothing short of “a psychedelic odyssey into the fabric of the universe.”
We have your first look at Josef Gatti’s visually extraordinary documentary in the clip below. The film executive produced by Sandbox Films and Radiolab’s Jad Abumrad heads to CPH:DOX in Copenhagen later this month for its European premiere after bowing at True/False.
Phenomena features music by Nils Frahm and electronic original score by Rival Consoles.
“Captured entirely by camera with no visual effects or artifice,” notes a synopsis, “Josef Gatti’s unfolding awe-inspiring hyper-real imagery is elevated by the ethereal score, transforming curious observation into a hypnotic adventure spanning from the subatomic to cosmological scales. Tracing the forces and elements shaping the natural world, Phenomena is a kinetic sensory experience, exploring the wonders of the universe and our connection to it.”
Director Josef Gatti
Courtesy of Dimitra Koriozos
Phenomena marks the feature directorial debut of Gatti, a Melbourne-based artist and filmmaker. It builds on a multi-platform iteration (also titled Phenomena) that was broadcast by the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), screened at international film festivals and immersive exhibition spaces, and was named one of the top Australian series of 2021 by The Guardian.
“This film comes from a near decade-long adventure where I’ve been obsessively documenting the beauty and intricacies of nature in the most unlikely places,” Gatti said in a statement. “I’m humbled to have partnered with Sandbox Films to bring Phenomena into its ultimate form, and I can’t wait for you to experience this epic odyssey on the big screen.”
Producer Rob Innes commented, “Partnering with Josef has been an extraordinary creative journey. His singular vision and cinematography skills reveal the world in ways few filmmakers can. Phenomena feels both an urgent and essential experience for our time.”
Phenomena is a Gatti and Mashup Pictures production, with principal production funding from Sandbox Films and Screen Australia, in association with VicScreen. The film is written, directed, produced, shot, edited, and narrated by Josef Gatti and produced by Rob Innes. Executive producers include Jessica Harrop and Caitlin Mae Burke of Sandbox Films, and Jad Abumrad. The film is co-written and co-produced by Joseph Nizeti, with editing by Johanna Scott and Josef Gatti, and cinematography by Martine Wolff.
“Phenomena is a spectacular audio-visual ride, unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” said Harrop, executive director of Sandbox Films. “We are beyond excited to share this adventure with the world… Ready to blow some minds!”
Richard Huddleston, Screen Australia Head of Documentary, said, “Ambitiously fusing science with artistic imagination, Phenomena is a magical reimagining of documentary filmmaking. Josef Gatti and the gifted production team have created an experience that is as visually explosive as it is intellectually grounded. Powered by the transcendent music of Nils Frahm and an original score by Rival Consoles, Phenomena invites audiences everywhere to feel the universe in motion.”
Written by Luke Buckmaster
March 2, 2026 9:00am