The First Nations Film Festival (FNFF), a platform celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous cinema, is excited to announce its NAIDOC 2023 edition.
The festival will run from 2nd to 31st July 2023, aligning with NAIDOC Week, and will feature six new feature films, a collection of short films, and a special live Q&A session.
The NAIDOC 2023 theme, “For our Elders,” highlights the significant role that elders have played and continue to play in our communities and families. In honour of this theme, FNFF 2023 will showcase films that touch upon issues like the stolen generation and other historical themes that elders had to contend with. The festival aims to honour First Nations artists and filmmakers who have used their talents to inspire change and make a difference for their communities.
Among the six new feature films are stories of Indigenous dancers, ancestral rites, and the journey of Aboriginal community leaders. Also included is The Grey Line, a film that portrays the liminal space of Aboriginal assimilation in Australia. This film tells the story of Helen Dwyer, a member of the Stolen Generations, who was raised by a non-Indigenous foster family and found herself in a unique cultural position. The film explores the pain and intergenerational trauma experienced by Dwyer and other members of the Stolen Generations.
A special event will be held on July 5th, featuring a collection of First Nations short films followed by a live Q&A with moderator James Williams, a proud First Nations actor, broadcaster, comedian, and musician. Williams will be joined by Jaki Adams, Director of Social Justice and Regional Engagement at The Fred Hollows Foundation, and Kayah Wills, the producer of The Grey Line. The discussion will delve into film themes, panelist experiences, and the NAIDOC Week theme, “For Our Elders”.
In addition to the new films, the festival offers access to the collection of films from the previous edition, allowing audiences to explore a wealth of First Nations storytelling. FNFF continues its commitment to making films accessible to a wide audience.
The FNFF 2023 is supporting the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF), a national charity working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote communities across Australia. ILF provides culturally relevant books, resources, and programs to these communities.
The First Nations Film Festival offers a platform to showcase important First Nations creative work, drive discussion of critical First Nations issues and themes, and support First Nations content creators and relevant First Nations-led initiatives, causes, and organisations.
To donate to the fundraiser, click here https://fundraising.ilf.org.au/fnff2023
Tickets for the individual virtual screening events are $6.99 USD with an All Access Festival Pass available for $19.99 USD.
For more information visit https://www.fanforcetv.com/pages/fnff2023
