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The Ending Goes Forever: The Screamfeeder Story

A feature-length documentary about a band that emerged from the cultural explosion that changed Brisbane forever, and who continue to forge their way through Australian culture. This is the story of Screamfeeder…

It wasn’t just the 4ZZZ Market Days, the Livid festival or Metropolis, The Zoo or Funkyard, The Orient, Triple J, Rockinghorse Records or the Target building, or a fresh barrage of bands performing to dozens, then hundreds, then thousands of faces from the next generation.

It was all of it, slamming together to be greater than the sum of its parts. It was the thick taste of sweat in the humid air, and the sound of pounding drums and discordant guitars. It was word-of-mouth, gig posters, street press, cheap rent, and a groundswell so strong it kicked down the doors of the mainstream world and announced its arrival like a tropical cyclone.

Within this maelstrom, Screamfeeder burst onto the scene in 1991. They went on to burn their names into the psyche - and history books - of Australian music. By 1993 they were touring Europe and had a US deal. They were ripe for the picking, but when the major labels came calling…they said no thanks.

They became one of the most beloved local acts of the ‘90s, enjoying significant success at radio and on the festival circuit; 1996’s Kitten Licks delivered on the promise of the band’s early years, imprinting their music on a whole generation, and receiving recognition as one of the decade’s best albums.

Screamfeeder navigated the changes in the music business with good humour, gratitude and a tireless work ethic, and continue to make vital and engaging music. This is the true story of those decades – struggle and success, heartbreak and failure, intoxicating highs and crushing lows. An oral history told through interviews with fans, journalists and critics, fellow musicians, music industry figures and the band themselves, this film is a vivid and compelling journey along the road less travelled.

From homemade cassettes to US record deals, from the pubs of Brisbane to the stages of the US and Europe, it examines friendship, talent, hard work and luck, both good and bad. Sometimes poignant, sometimes hilarious, sometimes inspiring but always unflinchingly honest.

“I think when you talk about the big four out of Brisbane (Powderfinger, Custard, Regurgitator and Screamfeeder) the interesting thing there is that Screamfeeder is the only one not on a major label. So it’s pretty impressive that they’re even there.” (Magoo – record producer)

Screamfeeder forged their own way: a path built on respect, loyal fans, passion and never losing sight of why they picked up guitars in the first place. A path still being forged, more than 30 years on.

  • Jacob Schiotz
    Director
  • Joe Woolley
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 20 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 29, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    60,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Brisbane International Film Festival
    Brisbane, Queensland
    Australia
    November 3, 2023
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Jacob Schiotz

Jacob Schiotz – Director & Cinematographer

Jacob Schiotz is an experienced filmmaker and editor and SCREAMFEEDER: THE ENDING GOES FOREVER is his debut feature documentary.

Jacob has over 15 years’ experience in documentary, music video, branded content and national broadcast television. He started his professional career producing branded content throughout Australia and Asia for high profile clients such as Porsche, Virgin and Hastings Deering. With a passion for music, he has also produced a wide range of music videos for Australian band such as The Cairos, Tijuana Cartel and We All Want To.

He has also worked on numerous documentaries, including 'My Son Sam' (ABC Australian Story - Associate Producer), 'Annie' (ABC Short Documentary - Director) and 'Clive James: Lenses Shiver' (Queensland Poetry Festival Documentary - Editor). Jacob previously worked with Heiress Films on several productions for ABC and SBS and before that, spent three years with Network Ten, editing feature stories for national sporting broadcasts including Formula 1, V8 Supercars, Big Bash League and international rugby.

In recent years, he has started pursuing the stories he is personally drawn to and making his own, longform documentaries. His first, Still Running, a 1-hour film that explores Pomona’s legendary ‘King of the Mountain Race’, was acquired by SBS in 2022.

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Director Statement

When Tim Steward and Kellie Lloyd formed Screamfeeder in 1991, I was 20 years old, and I misspent many nights and early mornings in the same dark venues that became home to Brisbane’s musical revolution and went on to define the 1990s.

They were great times, and years later, in 2018, when Tim asked me to be involved with making a film about the band, I was immediately interested.

Together we researched the history of the band and the first thing that struck me, aside from their musical achievements, was the importance of chemistry and relationships within the group. In particular, the relationship between Tim and Kellie. There is a huge amount of respect and love between these two, and it became obvious that this was going to be a major theme within the film. The way they support each other and allow each other the space to express themselves creatively, and the impact when their creative forces combine, is undeniable.

Conversely, there were also times when the relationship with other members wasn’t working, and this served as a counterpoint to reinforce the importance of maintaining the group dynamics that have allowed them to continue their productive output for so long. Initially, we filmed some exploratory interviews with the band members on their own. But, as soon as these themes of relationships became apparent, I resolved to film them together as often as possible.

In fact, I followed the band around with a camera for nearly 3 years, filming them on tour, writing, rehearsing and recording their latest album, Five Rooms. I always knew that most of this footage was not destined to be used, but my intention was to get them so familiar with me and the camera around, that I would eventually capture their natural interactions and be able to show the strength of their relationships from the inside. It took some time to build that trusting relationship but I’m very happy at the way it all turned out.

In the end, this film celebrates both Screamfeeder and the amazing community they built around them. Things weren’t always easy for them, but their perseverance and belief in each other has allowed them to create compelling music and indelible memories across three fruitful decades. And they continue to show that their motivation was never money or fame - it was always about making music and, more importantly, making music together.

Throughout the production, everyone within the band has shown me the same level of respect that they show each other, and I’m honoured to stand alongside them and present a film of which we are all extremely proud.