Maŋutji (Catching Eyes)

Directed by Siena Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs

Australia

2026

11 mins

Unclassified 18+

Set in the Aboriginal community of Yirrkala in Arnhem Land, this love story explores how two teens navigate their mutual feelings while maintaining cultural boundaries and kinship.

Special Guests

Siena Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs

Director

As a young Yolŋu woman, Siena Stubbs has grown up in the community of Yirrkala surrounded by her family and culture. The foundation of Siena’s film industry began at The Mulka Project where she evolved her skills as a storyteller and artist. In 2020, her work SHINKANSEN was awarded the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award – Multimedia Prize. In 2023, Siena graduated from the Queensland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film). Siena’s short film MAŊUTJI (CATCHING EYES) was chosen as one of five to make the collection of Proper Loved Up shorts at SFF 2026.

'Maŋutji (Catching Eyes)' is screening with

Proper Loved Up Shorts

Thu, 4 Jun 6:30pm

Event Cinemas George Street – Cinema 9

Proper Loved Up Shorts

Sat, 6 Jun 4:15pm

Dendy Newtown – Cinema 3

Dendy Awards

Sat, 13 Jun 2:30pm

Event Cinemas George Street – Cinema 4

Dendy Awards

Sun, 14 Jun 3:30pm

Event Cinemas George Street – Cinema 5

Sydney Film Festival acknowledges Australia’s First Nations People as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, upon whose Country SFF is based.

We honour the storytelling and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.

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