Phenomena, a Psychedelic Journey into the Universe, Premieres at CPH:DOX

The documentary Phenomena, directed by Australian filmmaker and artist Josef Gatti, continues its international festival run with its European premiere at CPH:DOX 2026, following its world premiere at the True/False Film Fest 2026. Produced by Sandbox Films, the project offers a sensory cinematic experience that blends science, art and visual experimentation to explore the forces that shape the universe.

Written, directed, produced, photographed and narrated by Gatti, the film unfolds as a psychedelic odyssey into the fabric of the cosmos, guided by a series of immersive practical experiments designed to reveal nature’s hidden mechanisms. Captured entirely in camera — without visual effects or digital manipulation, Phenomena presents striking hyper-real imagery that moves from the subatomic scale to the vastness of the cosmos.

The visual experience is elevated by music from acclaimed composer and pianist Nils Frahm, alongside an original electronic score by Rival Consoles, whose atmospheric sound design transforms scientific observation into a hypnotic audio-visual journey.

The film is produced by Rob Innes, with Jessica Harrop, Caitlin Mae Burke and Jad Abumrad serving as executive producers. It is a production of Gatti and Mashup Pictures, with principal funding from Sandbox Films and Screen Australia, in association with VicScreen.

Phenomena marks Josef Gatti’s feature documentary debut. Based in Melbourne, Gatti is known for his distinctive visual approach that merges documentary filmmaking with experimental practice. The film expands on his earlier multi-platform project of the same name, which aired on ABC in Australia and screened at international festivals and immersive exhibition spaces, where it was praised for its innovative approach to visual storytelling.