The Arakwal Corporation, Flickerfest and iQ Inc are thrilled to present an inspiring evening of aboriginal storytelling celebrating NAIDOC Week 2021 and this year’s theme:
‘Heal Country!’

This year’s programme curated from Flickerfest favourites will take you on a special journey with some incredibly strong and powerful stories who’s compelling voices will inspire, move and delight.

The filmmakers featuring in the 14th Arakwal NAIDOC Week screening are some of the leading lights in indigenous filmmaking today, blazing brightly on Australian screens and stage.

The programme includes:

Multi award winning short film The Moogai by Casino writer/director Jon Bell; Closed Doors by award winning Australian actor Hunter Page-Lochard (Cleverman), starring Wayne Blair; the delightful and inspiring documentary Djuwalpada, from Wagilak songman Daniel Wilfred all the way from North East Arnhem Land; the moving sibling story Bala, the first short film by Bangarra Dance Theatre’s former senior choreographer Deborah Brown, and Bama by local emerging filmmaker Jahvis Loveday, winner of the jury and audience award at this year’s iQ/Flickerfest Byron All Shorts.

Come along and enjoy these unique stories from incredible First Nations filmmakers championing aboriginal voices through this year’s NAIDOC theme ‘Heal Country!’ and support the celebration of aboriginal culture during NAIDOC Week.

A fundraiser for the Arakwal Corporation and supported by the Indigenous Coordination Centre.

2021 Programme

BREAK IT DOWN ‘BUNYARRA’ / 4mins / 2020
Wri/Dir/Prod: Desert Pea
Bunyarra is the Bundjalung word for ‘in good health’, and Local Arakwal elder Delta Kay shares stories about her land and staying healthy on country during the pandemic.

BAMA / 5mins / 2020
Wri/Dir/Prod: Jahvis Loveday
After the first day of private school in the city, a young aboriginal boy reflects on his fear of losing the magic of family and community after being so far away from them.

WIRUN / 9mins / 2020
Wri: Ebony McGuire, Chad O’Brien | Dir: Chad O’Brien | Prod: Jemma Douglas
A young Indigenous girl must dig deep to own her performance of a Shakespearean sonnet for her high school drama class.

THE MOOGAI / 15mins / 2020
Wri/Dir: Jon Bell | Prod: Samantha Jennings, Kristina Ceyton, Taylor Goddard, Mitchell Stanley
An Aboriginal psychological horror, THE MOOGAI is the story of a family terrorised by a child-stealing spirit.

SPARKLES / 13mins / 2020
Wri: Tina Fielding | Dir: Jacqueline Pelczar | Prod: Cody Greenwood
A 30-something-year-old Down Syndrome woman leaves her past behind, and runs away from a small country town, heading towards the city. Along her journey, she makes an unlikely friendship with a Drag Queen from the Outback, teaching us all not to be afraid to celebrate who we are.

BALA / 10mins / 2020
Wri: Melissa Lee Speyer | Dir: Deborah Brown | Prod: Georgia Noe O’Brien
In this poetic short, a former navy officer reunites with his cousins to grieve after learning of his much-loved grandfathers’ death, soon after the break-up of a relationship.

CLOSED DOORS / 15mins / 2019
Wri/Dir: Hunter Page-Lochard, Carter Fred Simpkin | Prod: Mitchell Stanley, Toni Stowers
Regaining consciousness in a car wreck, a young father finds that his daughter is missing.

DJUWALPADA / 14mins / 2019
Wri/Dir: Daniel Wilfred | Wri: Nicola Bell | Prod: Courtney Collins
Djuwalpada is the story of a young songman from southeast Arnhem Land sharing his culture to keep it alive.

BETWEEN TWO LINES / 15mins / 2019
Wri/Dir: Jack Steele | Prod: Mitchell Stanley, Toni Stowers
A story of two men’s journey for their identity set in WW1.

ELDERS / 10mins / 2019
Wri: Tracey Rigney | Dir: Tony Briggs | Prod: Damienne Pradier
Two Elders feel their grandson is ready to start learning vitally important lessons that will equip him with the tools to maintain the future survival of his culture.

Please note this is a general admission event, no allocated seating.