Jub Clerc, Taryne Laffar, Danielle MacLean, Kelton Pell, Ngaire Pigram, Mark Coles Smith, Mitch Torres and Tasma Walton are just some of Australia’s finest First Nations filmmakers who will be celebrating WA’s inaugural First Nations Film Festival when it kicks off this Thursday 3 November to Sunday 6 November.
“To celebrate our first year of CinefestOZ Broome – presented by Goolarri Media – we’re excited that locals and visitors will have the opportunity to ask questions and hear first-hand from some of Australia’s finest First Nations filmmakers at one of the many informal events that are part of the festival program,” said Goolarri Media CEO Jodie Bell.
“Last week we announced the talented Mark Coles Smith as CinefestOZ Broome Ambassador and I’m delighted to now also welcome Mitch Torres as Ambassador.
A local Kimberley woman, Mitch has worked in the media and film industry for more than 35 years and – in addition to her acting, directing, producing and writing achievements – she is also a journalist and was the first indigenous on-air presenter on SBS.
“I know Mark and Mitch, along with our other special guests, are looking forward to sharing their knowledge to help grow our film industry and protect our culture in beautiful Broome,” Ms Bell said.
CinefestOZ includes ticketed feature film screenings – Loveland, We Are Still Here and Sweet As – and gala events at Sun Pictures, short film screenings and after-parties at the Gimme Gimme Bar, special In Conversation dining events at Broome hotspots Wild Flower and Kimberley Sands.
There’s also the Free Community Days on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 November at the Broome Civic Centre where audiences can engage with Indigenous short films and filmmakers and explore different formats and aspects of filmmaking, including Virtual Reality, Visual Effects, Audio and Stunts.
Program highlights include:
Thursday 3 November
- Welcome to Country at Nyamba Buru Yawuru. A special welcome by Yawuru Elders to the visiting First Nations film-makers, festival guests, pass-holders and community followed by a delicious afternoon tea
- Opening Night: Feature Film Screening – Loveland at Sun Pictures
- Opening Night After Party at Goolarri Media’s Gimme Gimme Bar
Friday 4 November
- Free Community Day – engage with a range of Indigenous short films, filmmakers and the wider community; also enjoy entertainment and music
- Industry Program Session – inspiring talks, Q & A sessions and networking opportunities with local and visiting filmmakers to the region.
- Did’jun First Nation Short films set PLUS Afternoon Tea and Filmmaker Q&A at the Gimme Gimme Bar. Films include: Jarli, Wirnitj, Sunnies, The Killing of the Bilkin Brothers, My Name is Mudju and The Lost Crystals of Jessica’s Room
- Feature Film Screening: We Are Still Here at Sun Pictures
- Late Night After Party at Pearl Luggers (Willie Creek Pearls )
Saturday 5 November
- Free Community Day – A panel discussion will start the day with inspiring First Nations filmmakers: Meet: Kelton Pell, Jub Clerc, Mark Coles Smith and Karla Hart – engage with a range of Indigenous short films, filmmakers and the wider community; also enjoy entertainment and music
- Filmmakers In Conversation Lunch: We Are Still Here at Wild Flower Broome. Hear from the director of the film’s animation story – Danielle MacLean – while enjoying delicious food and ocean views.
- Feature Film Screening: Sweet As Gala Night at Sun Pictures. Enjoy local performers, a cocktail style function with drinks and canapés and a filmmaker introduction by director Jub Clerc before the screening kicks off.
- Gala Night After Party – after the screening of Sweet As, join the celebrations at the Gimme Bar including entertainment by the Struggling Kings
Sunday 6 November
- Free Community Screenings: Our Law & Did’jun First Nation Shorts retrospective at the Gimme Gimme Bar. Following the screening of Our Law is an insightful Q&A with filmmaker Taryne Laffar. Short Films include: On My Father’s Country, Aboriginal Warrior, Survivors of Wadjemup, Ties That Bind, Shed and Nulla Nulla
- Filmmakers In-Conversation Lunch: Sweet As at the Kimberley Sands. Hear from writer/ director Jub Clerc and producer Liz Kearney over a scrumptious Sunday brunch
Ambassador Profile:
Michele (Mitch) Torres
Producer; Writer; Director; Researcher; Journalist; Broadcaster; Playwright; Presenter; Actor
Mitch began her career in the media industry more than 35 years ago. A lover of dance she studied at the AIDT (Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre) in Sydney where she landed her first acting role in The Fringe Dwellers before securing a role in the seminal docudrama Babaqueria. SBS’s first Indigenous Presenter in 1988, Mitch did her cadetship with ABC TV Perth, and then was the first presenter and field journalist for GWN’s long running magazine program Millbindi. Mitch then began a successful period as a broadcaster for Indigenous radio stations: Goolarri in Broome and WAAMA 6NR in Perth before settling back with ABC Kimberley as the morning show’s presenter and producer. In the mid 1990’s Mitch turned her talents to visual storytelling and made her first short drama ‘Promise’ for the Shifting Sands Short Drama Initiative (SBS TV) and then award winning documentaries like Jandamarra’s War, and the heartbreaking ‘Whispering in our Hearts’ a historical documentary about the Mowla Bluff Massacre in the West Kimberley. An award-winning filmmaker, Mitch has directed and written a range of dramas and documentaries and theatrical plays with Yirra Yaakin, and continues to write in collaboration with other First Nations and non-First Nations film makers. In 2021 Mitch was presented with an Honorary Doctorate.
CinefestOZ Broome is proudly supported by Arts Impact, Lotterywest, Shire of Broome, Screenwest & Lotterywest and Screen Australia.
CinefestOZ Broome and Goolarri Media respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather, the Yawuru people. We recognise their continued connection to country of this beautiful place and acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded. We show our respect to the Elders and Ancestors of the First Nations people that are a part of our Festival and celebrate the traditional and contemporary storytelling of the oldest living culture.