[6] After Sestier completed his work in India he travelled to Sydney where he met with Australian photographer Henry Walter Barnett, who had darkroom facilities to develop films locally.

[7] In September 1896 Sestier, Barnett and Charles Westmacott opened Australia's first cinema, the Salon Lumière in Pitt Street, Sydney.

The feature, which consisted of 10 one-minute films shown in chronological order (separate films were required due to limitations of cameras of the time),[2] was premiered at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne on 19 November 1896,[12] with Sestier giving an accompanying lecture.

It was covered in the Australian press, including The Age and The Bulletin, and has been cited as Australia's first film production.

[2] After his business partnership with Barnett ended Sestier continued to tour Australia, demonstrating the cinématographe and showcasing films until May 1897.