Happy Android

Street performer Paul Cooper brings joy to audiences around the world with his endearing roving act Tubby the Robot, yet he struggles to find joy within himself. Paul’s childhood was disturbed by a tragic family accident and he now suffers from depression and anxiety. Often feeling disconnected and broken, he goes through the motions of life like an automated machine. Ironically, it is when Paul performs as Tubby that he feels the most functional, the most human. Paul and Tubby inhabit very different worlds – one full of sorrow and alienation, the other filled with happiness and love. In this unique film the two worlds collide, leading to a poignant exploration of family, mental illness and the transformative power of creativity.

Jaina Kalifa is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who is passionate about working on character-led stories and projects that make a positive social or environmental impact. His documentaries have screened in film festivals around Australia and overseas and have been broadcast internationally. His film Strudel Sisters was the winner of the 2016 Devour Golden Tine Award for Best Short Documentary and in Official Selection for Hot Docs 2016 and Sydney Film Festival. Jaina recently produced Land Art, a four-part documentary series for broadcast on ABC News 24 and ABC iview, and he has a number of documentary projects in development. Filmography: Lost Contact (2021) Documentary short - director Happy Android (2019) Documentary short - director Donna (2017) Documentary short - director Struddel Sisters (2016) Documentary short - director

– Hot Docs 2019 – Official Selection World Premiere (Canada)
– Antenna International Documentary Film Festival 2019 – Best Australian Short Documentary Award (Australia)
– Melbourne Documentary Film Festival 2019 – Supreme Jury Prize Short Documentary; Best Short Director (Australia)
– Cineglobe Film Festival 2019 – Audience Award for Documentary (Switzerland)
– Lebu International Film Festival 2020 – Special Mention for Best International Documentary (Chile)