Go Karts (film)

Go Karts

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	2019
Headquarters	Australia
Products	Sports drama film

Go Karts, alternatively titled Go!, is a 2019 Australian sports drama focusing on teen coming-of-age, marking the feature film debut of director Owen Trevor. The cast includes William Lodder, Frances O'Connor, and Richard Roxburgh. The narrative, echoing themes from the 1984 movie The Karate Kid, centers on a determined underdog within Western Australia's kart racing scene who ultimately secures victory at the National Kart Championship.

Initially named Go!, the movie had its first screening at the 2019 CinefestOZ Film Festival before its theatrical release across Australia on 16 January 2020. Retitled Go Karts, it became available internationally on Netflix (excluding Australia and New Zealand) on 13 March 2020, where it received a range of critical responses.

Plot

After relocating to a small Western Australian town with his single mother Christie, Jack grapples with the recent death of his father Hooper from cancer. While assisting his mother in launching her new enterprise, Jack attends a gathering at a go kart track and uncovers both a talent and enthusiasm for kart racing. Determined, he begins rigorous training to participate in the Australian National Go Karts Championship, aiming to outperform leading competitors. With guidance from his mentor Patrick and encouragement from friends Colin and Mandy, Jack confronts intense rivalry from Dean, whose racing team is managed by his father Mike.

Cast

• William Lodder as Jack Hooper
• Frances O'Connor as Christie Hooper
• Adam T Perkin as Hooper
• Richard Roxburgh as Patrick
• Dan Wyllie as Barry
• Darius Amarfio-Jefferson as Colin
• Anastasia Bampos as Mandy Zeta
• Cooper van Grootel as Dean Zeta
• Damian de Montemas as Mike Zeta

Production

Go Karts represents Owen Trevor’s first full-length directorial effort, following his prior work on short films. The project was entirely financed through crowdfunding and received additional backing from Screen Australia, Screenvest, Lotterywest, Spectrum Films, Create NSW, Media Super, and Fulcrum Media Finance. Filming commenced in April 2018 in Busselton, Western Australia. To enhance authenticity, producers sourced drivers, teams, officials, and spectators via online platforms for participation during shooting. The entire production took place within Australia, mainly around Perth and at regional kart racing facilities such as Cockburn International Kartway and Bunbury City Kart Club.

Roadshow Films unveiled the official trailer on 22 August 2019 ahead of the film’s premiere at the 2019 CinefestOz Film Festival. Subsequently, Netflix secured global distribution rights outside of Australia and New Zealand, releasing its trailer on 27 February 2020.