E2. Best Documentary (Nominee)
Breaking the Cycle
From Samuel Godfrey
A man reflects on a childhood shaped by abuse, fear, and instability, and the small acts of kindness that helped change the course of his life. As he navigates the lasting effects of generational trauma and embraces his role as a father, he is confronted with a difficult question: can he create a different future for his family and truly break the cycle of abuse?
Hello! My name's Sam Godfrey and I'm from Brisbane, Queensland. I'm currently in my third year of Film & TV studies at Griffith University, and my film 'Breaking the Cycle' was shortlisted under the Directing category for this year's festival. It's a docudrama created with my close collaborator Gabriel Cochrane during our second year of university, and the film follows his father as he reflects on an abusive childhood and the conscious choices he made to break the cycle for future generations. This is our first ever festival entry, so we're incredibly excited to see how people respond to the film and to have the chance to share it outside of the university environment.
What inspired you and your work?
This project originated from a place of curiosity and emotional discovery. The co-director, my friend and closest collaborator, Gabriel Cochrane, was compelled to explore the history behind the man who raised him with kindness and stability. As his dad's past began to surface - marked by abuse, neglect, and trauma- Gabe and I saw an opportunity to investigate how someone can overcome such a history and consciously build a different life. The film serves as both an exploration of one man’s story and a broader reflection on the power of breaking harmful generational patterns.