The full festival program will be revealed on August 14 with the NT Premiere of powerful new documentary Luku Ngärra: The Law of the Land which focuses on Yolngu clan leader, traditional lawman, spiritual leader and civil rights activist Rev. Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM and his 40+ year campaign for freedom and justice for Indigenous Australians.
Presented by the Darwin International Film Festival and Our Generation Media in association with Darwin Festival, this incredibly special event screening will feature special guests and a Q&A with Rev. Dr Djiniyini Gondarra OAM and Director Sinem Saban.
Deckchair Cinema General Manager James Parker said “DIFF is thrilled to present the NT Premiere of this incredibly powerful and timely film. Luku Ngärra: The Law of the Land takes the audience on an intimate journey deep into Arnhem Land for a thought-provoking and entertaining cinematic event. The film goes to the heart of the current national conversation and we are proud to present this event in association with Darwin Festival.
“Audiences on the night will get their first look at the 2023 DIFF Program which is promising to be an outstanding selection of Australian and world cinema, a packed industry program and festival favourites like Best of NT Shorts and SPARK films,” he said.
Tickets on sale now at diff.net.au
Calling all filmmakers – submissions open for DIFF23
We’re open to submissions from filmmakers from Australia and across the globe, with categories including Best of Northern Australia Shorts, Best of South East Asian Shorts, Australian Feature and International Feature. Submissions can be made through FilmFreeway – https://filmfreeway.com/diff_nt
Deadline – July 14
About Luku Ngärra: The Law of the Land
Filmed over 5 years in Northeast Arnhem Land and as a result of a 16 year friendship, Luku Ngärra – The Law of the Land is a confronting and intimate journey into the world of the Yolngu First Nations of Australia.
At its centre is a remarkable man, Rev. Dr Djiniyini Gondarra, who has been a tireless beacon for freedom and justice for Indigenous Australians for the last 40+ years, as well as a highly respected clan leader, traditional lawman, spiritual leader and civil rights activist.
The film will deeply challenge audiences’ understanding of the Yolngu world, the crisis currently facing remote Indigenous communities today, and offer a better way forward that upholds the dignity, respect and sovereignty of the oldest living culture in the world.
It offers viewers a fascinating exploration of their customary law and how it has kept Yolngu people in balance with the environment and with each other for tens of thousands of years. Following true to Dr Gondarra’s well known straight talk, he and many other Yolngu present how their law has been completely at odds with the dominant mainstream paradigm which has, in effect, created chaos to their lives and the environment.
By opening big questions that require a humanitarian response, audiences will be compelled to question their own world and the views and structures that come with it. The film is a timely vehicle of wisdom from one of Australia’s most respected Indigenous Elders, that addresses the challenges of our times with soul and compassion. Its director, Sinem Saban has been closely interwoven with the Yolngu of Northeast Arnhem Land for more than 20 years, and directed the award-winning and groundbreaking documentary on Indigenous rights – Our Generation (2010).
The 2023 Darwin International Film Festival is presented by the Darwin Film Society, NT Major Events and Screen Territory. DIFF gratefully acknowledges the support of Screen Australia and Randazzo Properties.
Tickets – https://diff.net.au
ON SALE NOW: August 14 DIFF Program Launch and NT Premiere of event screening of Luku Ngärra: The Law of the Land
ON SALE FROM AUGUST 15: Full DIFF23 program.
