The prestigious Melbourne International Film Festival has announced its comprehensive program for 2024.
More than 250 features, shorts, and XR experiences will be showcased at different venues in Melbourne, across Victoria and online from August 8-25.
Four Indigenous films and documentaries have been highlighted among the array of films and filmmakers.
The documentary Like My Brother is a World Premiere film co-directed by Danielle MacLeanh and Sal Balharrie. It follows the journey of four young women from the Tiwi Islands who aspire to become professional AFLW football players.
Despite their dreams, they must overcome challenges such as leaving behind their families, coping with homesickness, and confronting the obstacles that often hinder the success of Indigenous youth.
This World Premiere film Voice provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the Indigenous-led group Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) as they travel 3,000 kilometres across the country to rally support for the Indigenous Voice to parliament.
Directed by Krunal Padhiar and co-directed by DIYDG co-founder and chair Semara Jose, this documentary is a groundbreaking portrayal of the last year's Voice referendum journey.
"Kajoo Yannaga" (Come, let us walk together), presented by Now or Never and ACMI tells an immersive two-channel projection journey, a cinematic story guided by First Nations knowledge.
Real-time motion tracking maps body movement, connecting viewers to place and transporting them to a vivid Spirit realm filled with signs and signals for those who seek to see.
Artist and Wiradjuri-Scottish woman of the galari/kalari peoples from the Yuin Nation, April Phillips, lead the project.
Her work celebrates First Nations futurism, intergenerational healing, and digital experimentation, showcasing the potential of computer art for a new world.
Making his directorial debut with The Moogai, Jon Bell is known for his work on TV series like Redfern Now, Cleverman, and Mystery Road. His feature film, The Moogai is an expansion of his short film from 2020.
The short film received praise at MIFF and SXSW, winning the Jury Prize for Midnight Shorts at the latter, and earning a nomination for Best Short Film at the AACTA Awards.
The feature film is anchored by powerful performances from Shari Sebbens and Meyne Wyatt, who are reprising their roles from the original short, and is filled with deep symbolism.
