Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival 2008
Since many years Sydney is host to the Indigenous Film Festival. The festival premiers a fine selection of Indigenous films in drama, documentary, comedy and shorts. Many of the film reviews you find on this site come from my visits to the Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival which is very popular.
Every screening will be followed by a short Q&A session. For the first time, the festival will also include two days of special screenings for secondary students on July 2 and 3.
Venue: Sydney Opera House, Playhouse.
Aboriginal filmmakers have used the lens to capture the feelings and thoughts of our people, talking about their lives at a turning point in Australia's history—Darren Dale, Blackfella Films, co-host of the film festival
9th Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival 2008 program
| Friday, July 4 | Saturday, July 5 | Sunday, July 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11am - 12.30pm | River of No Return Darlene Johnson A touching story of change and transformation, this fascinating film follows Frances Djulibing (Ten Canoes) as she strives to achieve her dream of becoming a Hollywood movie star. Followed by an artists talk with the movie's star and director. (52min) |
When Colin met Joyce Rima Tamou A profile of political activist Joyce Clague and her husband. (52min) | |
| 1pm - 2.30pm | Spirit Stones Allan Collins This beautifully filmed film uncovers uncanny real-life phenomena from the 1940s and 50s. (52min) |
Mad Morro Kelrick Martin A powerful and dramatic story about familial love follows James Morris as he returns to Taree after 13 years in prison. (52min) |
|
| 3.30pm - 5pm | More Aboriginal movies | Australian & International Shorts: Yolngu Guya Djamamirr, One River All Rivers (not in official program) Who Paintin' Dis Wandjina?, Bollywood Dreaming, Nikamowin, Sikumi, Storytime |
Wanja: Warrior Dog Angie Abdilla Aunty Barb has been living on the Block in Redfern for 12 years and Wanja was her dog for 6, attacking and chasing the police, keeping them at bay from her family. (26min) Courting with Justice Debbie Carmody A former Norseman pub manager was charged with the manslaughter of an Aboriginal man, but found not guilty. The dead man's partner searches for justice. (26min) |
| 5.30pm - 7pm | Warlpiri Media Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the invention of Aboriginal Television. Hosted by Rachel Perkins in conversation with Warlpiri Media's Francis Jupurrula Kelly, Simon Japangardi Fisher, Simba Jupurrula Nelson and Connie Nakamarra White. |
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| 6pm - 7pm | Panel Discussion: When Film Intervenes in Life The panel of speakers includes Marcia Langton, Tom Zubrycki and filmmaker Julie Nimmo. They discuss the politics of representation using clips from Julie's unfinished documentary The Intervention which details the Government's controversial move into remote Aboriginal communities. | ||
| 8pm | Gala Opening Night and Party Featuring River of No Return, the premiere of the short film Yolngu Guya Djamamirr, and the Bob Maza Fellowship Award. All tickets $50 |
View the Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival 2007 program.
Message Sticks Film Festival. Often the audience gets the chance to have questions and answers with the
film makers.
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