With its World premie at New Zealand’s highly regarded DocEdge Film Festival, the thrilling new Australian documentary Ice Maiden will circumnavigate its way through Australian and New Zealand cinemas in August and September. “It has been exciting seeing our film get out to the world,” says director Nathaniel C.T. Jackson. “It’s really affirming that we have an entertaining and engaging film. When you’re making a film and you’ve watched it a million times in the editing process, it can be hard to know how it will be received by a fresh audience.”

Audiences at large are set to get that opportunity in August when Jackson’s new documentary Ice Maiden will cruise into Australian and New Zealand cinemas. Ice Maiden – co-directed by James Blannin-Ferguson – is the gripping, edge-of-the-seat story of Aussie solo sailor and adventurer Lisa Blair, who daringly circumnavigated Antarctica on her own, non-stop, and with no physical assistance. From terrifying storms and near fatal collisions with looming ships to personal anguish and constant danger, it’s a story steeped in anxiety, but also in hope and inspiration, as the brave and uncompromising sailor hurls herself at every obstacle with positive energy and a relentless will to win.                                                                                                  

“As a solo sailor, it’s really hard to describe the challenges and obstacles I face out there, so I’m so excited for Ice Maiden to be seen. The film really captures the essence of life at sea where every day was a new game of survival for me,” says Lisa Blair. Before Australian audiences get the opportunity to become part of Lisa Blair’s extraordinary story, Ice Maiden will first screen on June 26 (with three encore screenings to follow) at New Zealand’s DocEdge Film Festival, which runs from June 19 to July 31, and features the best non-fiction filmmaking from around the world. Ice Maiden will then make its way through cinemas in NSW (Hayden Orpheum, August 11, The Ritz Randwick, August 12), Victoria (The Classic Cinema, August 18) and Queensland (New Farm Cinema, August 25), with further screenings announced soon. Audiences in New Zealand will also become part of Lisa’s journey with screenings in Christchurch (Hoyts, June 26, Alice Cinema, June 30), Wellington (The Roxy, July 14) and Auckland (The Capitol, July 14). To get a taste of the gorgeous, striking imagery and narrative intensity on display in Ice Maiden ahead of its upcoming theatrical release, you can view the thrilling new trailer for the film now.