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First Nations

Sydney Film Festival’s program of First Nations’ filmmaking is overflowing with diverse ideas and themes, unique perspectives and traditional stories.

Two feature films will be presented, one (Vai) by nine women directors from the South Pacific, and the other (The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open) by two Canadian filmmakers (one from a Blackfoot woman, and the other from Kainai First Nation as well as Sámi from northern Norway).

Two documentaries in the program focus on strong Indigenous women filmmakers, Frieda Glynn from Australia (in She Who Must Be Obeyed Loved, a film directed by her daughter and produced by her granddaughter) and Merata Mita from New Zealand (in a documentary directed by her son, Hepari Mita, and produced by Chelsea Winstanley).

Another key element in the line-up is the environment, a unifying force in Vai, and under threat in two brand-new documentaries from Australia; Saving Seagrass and Warburdar Bununu: Water Shield. Rounding out this outstanding program are four short films from New Zealand (this year’s Country of Focus in the festival), and five from Australia.

Thank you to the New Zealand Film Commission.

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Between Two Lines

When two First World War enemy soldiers become stranded in no man’s land, an unlikely bond is formed. Will they still be able to pull the trigger if the time comes?

The Body Remembers When The World Broke Open

A chance-encounter between two Indigenous women on a Vancouver street initiates this affecting story of women, violence and social inequality. Selected for Berlinale 2019.
SOLD OUT

Dark Place

A very special SFF and FMO presentation: the world premiere of an Australian Indigenous horror anthology. Five terrifically twisted tales by five Indigenous filmmakers. 

Doug the Human

An alien kidnaps a man (Gabriel Willie) and turns him into his pet.

Elders

Two Elders feel that their grandson is old enough to start learning important lessons about his Country. But is he ready for the challenge?

Hinekura

The story of one young woman’s rite of passage as she steps in to her destiny, and finally understands her place as a protector of her people.

Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen

A fascinating portrait of trailblazing Māori filmmaker, Merata Mita (reportedly the first Indigenous woman to direct a feature), crafted with love by her youngest son.

Saving Seagrass

An exploration of the priceless environment of Roebuck Bay, Western Australia – the traditional lands of the Yawuru people – now under threat on many fronts.
SELLING FAST

She Who Must Be Loved

A celebration of the life and work of the trailblazing Alfreda Glynn, a history-maker, mother, and a central figure in Indigenous filmmaking from the heart of the country.

Shed

An Aboriginal girl held captive and at the mercy of the station’s stockmen makes an unlikely friend and finds the courage to set herself free.

Ties That Bind

A young man (Kamil Ellis) is at odds with his single mother (Elaine Crombie), who pushes him away with her bullying ways.
SELLING FAST

Vai

Fabulously rich storytelling from the South Pacific: the imaginary figure Vai is every woman of every age. A beautifully crafted portmanteau feature by nine women filmmakers.
SELLING FAST

Warburdar Bununu: Water Shield

In the late ’70s, Borroloola elders co-produced a landmark film to expose the threat to their homelands from mining development. In 2019, the eco-battle re-ignites.
Wed 5 at 8:30pm Dendy Opera Quays Cinema 2

Shed

An Aboriginal girl held captive and at the mercy of the station’s stockmen makes an unlikely friend and finds the courage to set herself free.
Thu 6 at 6:15pm Dendy Opera Quays Cinema 1

The Body Remembers When The World Broke Open

A chance-encounter between two Indigenous women on a Vancouver street initiates this affecting story of women, violence and social inequality. Selected for Berlinale 2019.
Thu 6 at 6:30pm Hayden Orpheum Cremorne

Shed

An Aboriginal girl held captive and at the mercy of the station’s stockmen makes an unlikely friend and finds the courage to set herself free.
Sun 9 at 4:30pm Dendy Newtown

The Body Remembers When The World Broke Open

A chance-encounter between two Indigenous women on a Vancouver street initiates this affecting story of women, violence and social inequality. Selected for Berlinale 2019.
Sun 9 at 6:45pm Event Cinemas George St 9

Between Two Lines

When two First World War enemy soldiers become stranded in no man’s land, an unlikely bond is formed. Will they still be able to pull the trigger if the time comes?
Mon 10 at 6:35pm Dendy Opera Quays Cinema 1

Elders

Two Elders feel that their grandson is old enough to start learning important lessons about his Country. But is he ready for the challenge?
SOLD OUT
Mon 10 at 6:35pm Dendy Opera Quays Cinema 1

Warburdar Bununu: Water Shield

In the late ’70s, Borroloola elders co-produced a landmark film to expose the threat to their homelands from mining development. In 2019, the eco-battle re-ignites.
Mon 10 at 6:35pm Dendy Opera Quays Cinema 1

Saving Seagrass

An exploration of the priceless environment of Roebuck Bay, Western Australia – the traditional lands of the Yawuru people – now under threat on many fronts.
Mon 10 at 8:45pm State Theatre

Doug the Human

An alien kidnaps a man (Gabriel Willie) and turns him into his pet.
Tue 11 at 6:45pm Dendy Newtown

Saving Seagrass

An exploration of the priceless environment of Roebuck Bay, Western Australia – the traditional lands of the Yawuru people – now under threat on many fronts.
SELLING FAST
Tue 11 at 6:45pm Dendy Newtown

Warburdar Bununu: Water Shield

In the late ’70s, Borroloola elders co-produced a landmark film to expose the threat to their homelands from mining development. In 2019, the eco-battle re-ignites.
Tue 11 at 6:45pm Dendy Newtown

Elders

Two Elders feel that their grandson is old enough to start learning important lessons about his Country. But is he ready for the challenge?
Thu 13 at 3:55pm State Theatre

Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen

A fascinating portrait of trailblazing Māori filmmaker, Merata Mita (reportedly the first Indigenous woman to direct a feature), crafted with love by her youngest son.
SOLD OUT
Fri 14 at 6:00pm Event Cinemas George St 3

She Who Must Be Loved

A celebration of the life and work of the trailblazing Alfreda Glynn, a history-maker, mother, and a central figure in Indigenous filmmaking from the heart of the country.
Fri 14 at 6:00pm Event Cinemas George St 3

Ties That Bind

A young man (Kamil Ellis) is at odds with his single mother (Elaine Crombie), who pushes him away with her bullying ways.
Fri 14 at 6:15pm Event Cinemas George St 4

Between Two Lines

When two First World War enemy soldiers become stranded in no man’s land, an unlikely bond is formed. Will they still be able to pull the trigger if the time comes?
SOLD OUT
Fri 14 at 8:30pm Dendy Opera Quays Cinema 1

Vai

Fabulously rich storytelling from the South Pacific: the imaginary figure Vai is every woman of every age. A beautifully crafted portmanteau feature by nine women filmmakers.
Fri 14 at 8:45pm The Ritz Cinema Randwick

Doug the Human

An alien kidnaps a man (Gabriel Willie) and turns him into his pet.
Sat 15 at 2:00pm Event Cinemas George St 5

Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen

A fascinating portrait of trailblazing Māori filmmaker, Merata Mita (reportedly the first Indigenous woman to direct a feature), crafted with love by her youngest son.
SELLING FAST
Sat 15 at 7:00pm Dendy Opera Quays Cinema 1

She Who Must Be Loved

A celebration of the life and work of the trailblazing Alfreda Glynn, a history-maker, mother, and a central figure in Indigenous filmmaking from the heart of the country.
Sat 15 at 7:00pm Dendy Opera Quays Cinema 1

Ties That Bind

A young man (Kamil Ellis) is at odds with his single mother (Elaine Crombie), who pushes him away with her bullying ways.
Sat 15 at 7:30pm Casula Powerhouse

Vai

Fabulously rich storytelling from the South Pacific: the imaginary figure Vai is every woman of every age. A beautifully crafted portmanteau feature by nine women filmmakers.
Sat 15 at 8:45pm Event Cinemas George St 5

Doug the Human

An alien kidnaps a man (Gabriel Willie) and turns him into his pet.
SOLD OUT
Sat 15 at 8:45pm Dendy Newtown

Dark Place

A very special SFF and FMO presentation: the world premiere of an Australian Indigenous horror anthology. Five terrifically twisted tales by five Indigenous filmmakers. 
Sun 16 at 11:00am Hayden Orpheum Cremorne

Hinekura

The story of one young woman’s rite of passage as she steps in to her destiny, and finally understands her place as a protector of her people.
SOLD OUT
Sun 16 at 2:30pm Dendy Opera Quays Cinema 1

Vai

Fabulously rich storytelling from the South Pacific: the imaginary figure Vai is every woman of every age. A beautifully crafted portmanteau feature by nine women filmmakers.
SOLD OUT
Sun 16 at 6:30pm Dendy Newtown

Dark Place

A very special SFF and FMO presentation: the world premiere of an Australian Indigenous horror anthology. Five terrifically twisted tales by five Indigenous filmmakers. 
SELLING FAST
Tue 18 at 6:15pm Dendy Newtown

Vai

Fabulously rich storytelling from the South Pacific: the imaginary figure Vai is every woman of every age. A beautifully crafted portmanteau feature by nine women filmmakers.
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