NAIDOC Week Shorts

From Boorloo to the misty scrub of Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country, our NAIDOC Week film program presents six short films on Blak resilience and excellence.

In keeping with this year's NAIDOC theme “Keep the Fire Burning, Blak, Loud and Proud”, this shorts program explores personal reflections on adversity and excellence; demonstrating how culture and a connection to Country is the great uniting and healing force for mob.

TO BE SILENT, explores the experience of codeswitching, and the power of not changing who you are. Written and directed by Noongar and Spinifex woman Tace Stevens.

We Are Warriors is more than just a film, it’s a movement. Founded by Yuin & Thunghutti rapper Nooky, it's dedicated to celebrating Blak excellence and empowering Indigenous youth. Alongside We Are Warriors is three other films produced by First Nations led creative agency Garuwa: Ngurrawaana, Power to Country, and babban darrang (mother tree).

Noongar filmmaker Brooke Collard grew up hearing stories about her uncle Chris – world champion kickboxer Chris Collar. In 1999 he became Australia's first Aboriginal World Kickboxing Champion. Aboriginal Warrior tells his story.

– Jenna Warwick, Curator

Ngurrawaana
Dir. Kieran Satour, Australia, 2023, 2 mins.

Aboriginal Warrior
Dir. Gary Hamaguchi, Australia, 2021, 14 mins.

To Be Silent
Dir. Tace Stevens, Australia, 2022, 9 mins.

Power to Country
Dir. Josef Jakamarra Egger, Australia, 2023, 10 mins.

We Are Warriors
Dir. Gabriel Gasparintos, Kieran Satour & Nooky, Australia, 2023, 8 mins.

baban darrang (mother tree)
Dir. Genevieve Grieves, Australia, 2022, 9 mins.

Crew Night

Before the screening, from 6pm, you can mingle, connect and talk film with fellow cinephiles, creatives and industry folks at the ACMI Cafe + Bar. Find out more about Crew Nights.