Australia's only Indigenous film festival returns to Bunjilaka

Australia's only Indigenous film festival returns to Bunjilaka

Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival returns to Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum from 4 to 7 September 2010 with a unique selection of new Indigenous films.

Celebrating 11 years, the 2010 Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival will showcase Indigenous storytelling from Australia and abroad through a variety of films about Indigenous culture. Powerful documentaries, including the moving Lani's Story, about an Aboriginal woman's journey from victim to victor, and Reel Injun, exploring how Native American Indians are portrayed in Hollywood, will show alongside a series of shorts.

Curated by award winning filmmakers Rachel Perkins and Darren Dale from Blackfella Films, Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival is the only festival in the country that is solely committed to presenting films made by and about Indigenous people and all screenings are free.

"Film powerfully reveals the world of the storyteller, and our festival is unique in Australia in its exclusive focus on Indigenous storytellers," says Rachel Perkins. "Over the past ten years, Message Sticks has gathered a loyal collection of people who come together to share this world as a family of sorts; both on screen, behind the camera and in the audience".

A highlight of the festival promises to be Lani's Story, an intimate documentary following Lani Brennan's experience of two relationships - one she has to escape to survive and the other she cannot live without. Directed by Genevieve Grieves, this documentary is a moving portrait of a young Aboriginal woman's journey from a broken and violent relationship to discovering the redemptive power of love. A special Q&A session with Lani Brennan will follow the screening of the film at the festival.

A double feature of Indigenous director Adrian Willis includes his short film Daniel's 21st, starring Deborah Mailman as the worried mother of Daniel, who is in trouble on his 21st birthday. Boxing for Palm Island is Willis' intriguing documentary about the remarkable boxing revival on Palm Island, a place with a dark history and a notorious reputation, featuring a group of young boxers defying stereotypes and fighting for a new era of hope, strength and courage.

In an Australian premiere, Reel Injun, by Canadian director Neil Diamond, takes an entertaining and insightful look at the creation of the Hollywood Indian we have all become familiar with. Travelling through the heartland of America, the film looks at how the myth of "the Injun" has influenced the world's understanding - and misunderstanding - of 'Natives'. Reel Injun features interviews with directors, writers, actors and activists, including Clint Eastwood and Jim Jarmusch, as well as clips from hundreds of classic and recent films.

A series of shorts, including the documentaries Nin's Brother and Big Fella, as well as inspiring short films from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, complete the extensive line up at the 2010 Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival.

Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival
Presented by Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street Carlton
4 to 7 September 2010.
All films FREE

Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street, Carlton. Open 10.00am to 5.00pm daily. Admission: $8 Adults, children and concession FREE. For further information, visit museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum or ph 13 11 02.
Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival 2010 program

Saturday 4 September
1.30pm - 2.45pm / Lani's Story followed by Q&A with Lani Brennan

Sunday 5 September
12.30pm - 1.30pm / Nin's Brother / Big Fella
2.00pm - 3.30pm Nundhirribala's Dream / Shimasani / The Cave / Barngngrnn Marrangu Story / Redemption

Monday 6 September
6pm - 7.30pm / Daniel's 21st /
Boxing for Palm Island

Tuesday 7 September
6pm - 7.30pm / Reel Injun

Presented by Blackfella Films in association with Screen Australia, The National Film & Sound Archive, Screen NSW and SBS Television.

Proudly supported by Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Melbourne Museum.