Screenings at CinesfestOZ Broome will take place under the stars at the iconic Sun Pictures. At 107 years of age, Australia’s oldest still-operating cinema is a tourist attraction that has an unfortunate history of WW2 bombings; along with the shame of racially and economically segregated seating, that was implemented up until 1967.
The cinema features in Bran Nue Dae (2009), which is set in the Broome area of 1969. These days everyone gets a deckchair, and cushions are an optional BYO item.
In the same region, for tens of thousands of years, some of this planet’s most ancient, organised community culture still thrives to this day. With such wealth of survival ability, the voice of Indigenous peoples is surely what the planet needs right now, as an uncertain future looms due to unavoidable global environmental issues.
CinefestOz Broome is an excellent opportunity to submerse into stories carrying perspectives told by a wide variety of truly Australian and New Zealand voices.
Kindred rolls first, a documentary directed by Adrian Russell Wills, a Wonnarua man, and Wodi Wodi woman Gillian Moody, with a focus on friendship and family. The screening is followed by a meet-and-greet with Adrian Russell Wills in person, and an after party at Matso’s Brewery.
Following this big Thursday night – which may just be appropriate in a town renowned for having its own time zone, namely “Broome Time”, the action continues when Goolarri Media hosts an industry and school program on Friday. Sunset sees the Sun Pictures screen light up again, with New Zealand film Muru.
At Willie Creek Pearl Farm on Saturday, hear First Nations filmmakers Kelton Pell and Adrian Russell Willis talk it up over a tapas lunch of fine local produce.
In the evening, Did’jun First Nations Shorts takes over the outdoor cinema, with a selection of seven short films.
A program of cinematic storytelling from the spirit of this country, with thematic emphasis on identity, pride, resilience, and connection – is promised.
Closing the festival on Sunday afternoon, a free community showing of the inspiring Rebels with a Cause will be held at Goolari Media. Noonuccal poet Oodgeroo Noonuccal (formerly Kath Walker) and other outstanding trailblazing First Nations people are profiled in the film.
The landscape of the Kimberly region is notoriously, stunningly beautiful, and there are deeper treasures to uncover in the area. Goolarri Media CEO and Indigenous film producer Jodie Bell stated, “CinefestOZ Broome is a fantastic opportunity to bring Indigenous filmmakers together to help raise the profile of First Nations stories, as well as Broome and the Kimberley’s rich cultural history, spectacular landscape and flourishing film scene that has produced screen successes such as Bran Nue Dae, The Circuit, Mad Bastards and Mystery Road 2.”
On behalf of CinefestOZ, Margaret Buswell shares, “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have been passing down their history through stories to the next generations for over 60,000 years and we are honoured that Goolarri Media chooses to partner with CinefestOZ to celebrate this incredibly rich culture through the powerful medium of film, and in such a beautiful part of the world.”
A special Welcome to Country by Yawuru Elders opens the event on Thursday 26, 2pm at Nyamba Buru Yawuru. Visiting First nations filmmakers, festival guests, passholders and community are all invited.
For more information, head to the CinefestOZ Broome website by clicking here
