Aged Care in the spotlight at Melbourne International Film Festival

Careless is directed by Sue Thompson who also directed the moving documentary Under Cover (2022) featuring the stories of older women experiencing homelessness.

Last updated: 29 July 2025

In a country where ageing has become a business, this funny, moving documentary follows older people’s fight to grow old their way.

When Sue Thomson’s 89-year-old mum, Margaret, begins to need additional help, they face a decision that most families will encounter: whether to consider a residential aged-care facility; and, if so, how to find a suitable one amid a sector with a reputation for neglect and mistreatment.

Margaret’s story becomes a springboard for an investigation of the political history of aged care in Australia, marred by a 40-year bipartisan privatisation agenda.

As we hear from advocates, journalists and senior citizens who have experienced the system, a group of schoolkids discuss the situation we’ve reached with aged care and where we need to go from here – and of what we can expect in the future.

Careless will have 3 screenings at MIFF commencing with the world premiere on August 16th at ACMI at 4pm.

See the link below for tickets and more screening times as they’re announced!