by FilmInk Staff
Celebrate one of Australia’s most beloved films with a special live table read of The Sapphires, presented by the Birrarangga Film Festival — one night only, Saturday 29 November at the Sofitel Arthur Steeton Auditorium.
Featuring members of the original cast, this exclusive event reunites Deborah Mailman, Miranda Tapsell, Shari Sebbens, Greg Fryer, Kylie Belling, Tammy Lee Rock and Hunter Page-Lochard, joined by Sherry Lee Watson, Nick Russell, Bert LaBonte and Corey Saylor-Brunskill. Together, they will bring The Sapphires script to life in a unique, live performance that celebrates the story’s enduring spirit and its powerful legacy.
Created and written by Tony Briggs, The Sapphires marked his screenwriting debut — inspired by the real-life story of four Yorta Yorta women whose extraordinary musical journey took them from small-town Australia to the world stage during the 1960s. The film’s warmth, humour and heart made it an instant cultural landmark, honouring First Nations voices and the power of music to connect, heal and uplift.
This special event revisits that legacy in a new light, blending nostalgia with fresh energy as a new generation of artists continues to share and celebrate this iconic story. Following the script reading there will be a Q&A hosted by creator and writer Tony Briggs.
Don’t miss this one-night-only celebration of storytelling, music and cultural pride — The Sapphires Live Table Read, proudly presented by the Birrarangga Film Festival.
Saturday 29 November, 4:30 PM | Sofitel Melbourne – Arthur Steeton Auditorium | Tickets $15–25
https://www.birrarangga.world/program/the-sapphires-live-table-read
ABOUT BIRRARANGGA FILM FESTIVAL: The Birrarangga Film Festival (BFF) is Australia’s leading Indigenous film festival, celebrating First Nations storytelling through cinema. Since its inception in 2019, BFF has grown into a premier cultural and industry event, attracting thousands of attendees, supporting Indigenous filmmakers, and fostering national and international partnerships. The core vision for BFF is to nurture leadership and provide visibility to global Indigenous filmmakers while facilitating opportunities to forge new international relationships between screen practitioners. BFF creates a platform for Indigenous storytelling, encourages emerging leaders in the screen industry and creates visibility for Indigenous filmmakers. BFF is a not-for-profit public company with DGR status (tax deductible) on the ROCO (Register of Cultural Organisations).
