Independent filmmaking takes center stage this summer with the upcoming release of MOCKBUSTER, an Australian documentary that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the production process behind one of The Asylum’s latest films. Following a successful festival run, the documentary will arrive in theaters and on digital platforms beginning July 10, coinciding with the lead-up to Shark Week.
Directed by Anthony Frith, MOCKBUSTER follows the filmmaker’s unexpected journey after pitching himself to The Asylum, the studio known for titles such as Sharknado and a long catalog of low-budget genre films. To Frith’s surprise, the studio greenlit his proposal to direct The Land That Time Forgot, a dinosaur adventure filmed in suburban Adelaide over the course of just six days.
While directing the feature, Frith also documented the production itself, capturing the challenges and realities of fast-paced independent filmmaking. The documentary chronicles everything from last-minute script changes and production hurdles to interactions with The Asylum leadership, including founders David Rimawi, David Latt, and Paul Bales, alongside producer Brendan Petrizzo.
Beyond the practical challenges of making a movie on a limited budget, MOCKBUSTER explores the persistence required to pursue creative ambitions. The film examines both the pressures and rewards of independent genre filmmaking while highlighting the unique production model that has helped The Asylum build an international following over the past two decades.
Co-written by Frith and Sandy Cameron, MOCKBUSTER was produced by David Elliot-Jones, Cameron, and Naomi Ball. The documentary received support from Screen Australia, the South Australian Film Corporation, Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund, and VicScreen. Executive producers include filmmaker David Farrier and several collaborators from across Australia’s film community.
For audiences interested in independent filmmaking, documentary storytelling, or the enduring appeal of B-movies, MOCKBUSTER offers a look at what happens when ambition, creativity, and tight deadlines collide on set. The film arrives in theaters and on digital platforms July 10.
