International Friendship Day: Stories Can Bring Us Together 💛
Beamafilm
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23/07/2026
In a world that can sometimes feel divided, friendship has a remarkable way of reminding us what we all have in common.
Whether it's a lifelong mate, a new connection, or someone who shows up when you need them most, friendship has the power to bridge differences, spark understanding and make life a little brighter. That's exactly why the United Nations created International Friendship Day. It's a celebration of the connections that help build more peaceful, compassionate communities.
At Beamafilm, we believe that stories can do much the same thing.
A great documentary invites us into someone else's world. It introduces us to people we might never meet, cultures we may never experience firsthand, and perspectives that challenge our assumptions. Like friendship, storytelling begins with curiosity and grows through empathy. Every film offers the chance to listen, learn and connect.
The UN reminds us that peace isn't only built through global agreements. It is created in everyday moments of trust, kindness and understanding. Watching films together, sharing conversations afterwards and discovering lives beyond our own are small but meaningful ways to foster those connections.
This year's message feels especially timely. As communities across the world navigate conflict, inequality and uncertainty, friendship isn't just something to celebrate – it is something to practise. It's about choosing understanding over judgement, dialogue over division and connection over isolation.
A Friendship Day watchlist
Looking for something to watch with a friend (or to inspire a meaningful conversation)? We've curated a watchlist of Beamafilm favourites that celebrate friendship, community and the power of human connection.
International Friendship Day on July 30 is the perfect excuse to host a documentary night, recommend a favourite film to a friend or start a conversation inspired by what you've watched.
Because every friendship begins with a connection.
And every great documentary reminds us that, despite our differences, our stories are more alike than we often realise.
This International Friendship Day, celebrate the people who broaden your world—and let a great documentary do the same.
If you can share a few Beamafilm-exclusive or featured titles you'd like to highlight, I can tailor the watchlist specifically to your catalogue and make the recommendations even more relevant.
Watch for FREE with a participating library card or on a 30-day trial. Also, you can rent a film for 72 hours.
At a home for retired musicians, the annual concert to celebrate Composer Giuseppe Verdi's birthday is disrupted by the arrival of Jean, an eternal diva and the former wife of one of the residents.
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An aspiring theatre director finds himself directing an opera at a psychiatric hospital.
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Filmmaker Agnes Varda was a French film director, photographer, and artist, widely considered one of the most important and influential figures in world cinema. Often described as the “Grandmother of the French New Wave, she...
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A sudden change forces Karin to re-evaluate her life. With the help of friends, food and passion she refuses to accept that life has an expiration date and takes the second chance she is given.
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Four lifelong friends’ lives are turned upside down to hilarious ends when their book club tackles the infamous Fifty Shades of Grey.
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Unlikely Friends explores how the power of forgiveness between victim and perpetrator can affect change within the criminal justice system.
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A former music industry mogul grieving the death of his wife retreats to an isolated lakeside home, where an unexpected friendship with two young boys helps him rediscover connection, purpose, and subtle redemption.
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Beautiful from the outside in, ‘Smile’ explores the nature of individuality, cultural diversity and the positive joy for the photographer of seeing his subjects smile.
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Vincent's car breaks down on a mountain road, leading him to a transformative encounter with Pierre.
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Award-winning director Damon Gameau explores what the future would look like by the year 2040 if we embraced the best solutions currently available to improve our planet & shifted them to the mainstream.
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Filmmaker Maya Newell follows a 10-year-old Aboriginal boy and his family as they strive to give him the best education possible.
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High school students Stella, Ed, Ingrid and Harry navigate life, exploring issues of sexuality, drug and alcohol use, identity, and consent.
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Is there an age at which you stop being an activist for change? Not according to the inspiring 85-year-old change maker, Helen Dew.
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In WWII, two Jewish boys flee occupied France.
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The daily life of a school located in Saint Denis.
Three sisters are reunited at their seaside family home by the disappearance of their father. Based on the award-winning play by Hannie Rayson.
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The inspiring story of a thriving hub helping to build resilience into its local community by growing, sewing, repairing, sharing.
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This feel-good film tells the story of PJ who loses his truck driving job of 30 years due to failing eyesight, but with the help of his partner Ronnie he finds a new place in the world.
This series explore how small acts of love and kindness can change the world, warming hearts and minds in ways that we could never begin to imagine.
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Dance Together follows two teen girls brought together by a passionate need to express themselves.
Four observational portraits of inspiring Australian teachers.
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Years after meeting a jazzman in Australia, an outback trumpeter goes to Paris and meets him again.
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Olivia is judging the Animal Showcase, Ethan is entering the pie contest, and Skye is competing for the first time in the Obstacle Challenge with her horse, Puzzle.
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