Spare Time

A charming ode to the local legends and big-hearted hobbyists of Preston’s bowling scene, chasing glory one frame at a time.

At The Keys Leisure Centre in Preston, a close-knit group of tenpin titans prepares for the annual Professional-Amateur Bowling Competition – Australia’s highest-paying bowling prize. Spotlighting the good-natured goofballs that make up the local league, this comic documentary from Aussie directors Maria Angelico and Rhys Mitchell pits hometown underdogs against out-of-town pros as they vie for a $10,000 cash reward.

A labour-of-love documentary about a labour-of-love pastime, Spare Time introduces a colourful cast of would-be lane legends, a ragtag bunch whose idiosyncrasies occasionally brush up against mockumentary territory. Yet the film never tips into ridicule; Angelico and Mitchell are clearly endeared to their subjects, celebrating the small triumphs, shrugging off the losses and capturing a community bound by competition, camaraderie and countless pints.

The screening on Fri 20 Feb will be followed by a Q&A with filmmakers Maria Angelico and Zachary Bradtke.