PRESS RELEASE
Australia’s only and largest dedicated First Nations led film festival, Birrarangga Film Festival, returns to Naarm from March 13-18, 2025, with events at multiple locations across the city.
A biennial celebration of Indigenous films and storytelling from around the globe, the festival continues to grow in scope and diversity. The fourth edition, announced today, promises to be the biggest yet, featuring over 150 films from across the globe over six immersive days.
Audiences can look forward to a vibrant program showcasing First Nations filmmakers from Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Canada, the United States, Finland, Norway, Russia, Mexico, Hawaii, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Fiji, Peru, Taiwan and many more. Many of these films will be presented in their original languages with English subtitles. Highlights include Australian premiere screenings, guest appearances, panel discussions, live music performances, filmmaker masterclasses, 360-degree immersive screenings and networking events.
Says Tony Briggs, Artistic Director of Birrarangga Film Festival, “We are proud to promote once again the rich diversity of global First Nations culture that we at the Birrarangga Film Festival celebrate. We look forward to uniting people from around the globe to share stories that reflect the beauty of our respective cultures and again provide Australia with the opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary offerings that First Nations global communities have to share with everyone right here in Naarm!”
Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks says, “The Allan Labor Government has proudly backed Birrarangga from the start, and it’s fantastic to see the festival return in 2025 bigger than ever before to showcase First Peoples films from around the globe. Congratulations to Tony Briggs and the team – we share your commitment to nurturing First Peoples leadership, and with Treaty underway here in Victoria, events like Birrarangga play an important role in celebrating First Peoples culture and talent, and truth-telling.”
The Festival spans 11 venues across the city and inner suburbs, offering dozens of screenings and special events at the Capitol Theatre, Lido Cinemas, Kino Cinema, Sofitel Arthur Auditorium, Palace Westgarth Cinemas, Treasury Theatre, Classic Cinemas, VCA Theatre (Victorian College of the Arts), ACMI and Nant Studios (Docklands Studios Melbourne). Each feature film screening will be preceded by a short film.
Opening night on Thursday, March 13, at the Capitol Theatre will feature Je’vida, an award-winning Finnish Skolt Sámi–language drama written and directed by Katja Gauriloff. The film tells the story of Iida, an elderly Skolt Sámi woman who has abandoned her past under the pressures of assimilation, exploring the experiences of Finland’s Indigenous peoples across three historical eras.
Other program highlights include:
- A 3-hour masterclass with AACTA Award-winning Australian filmmaker Ivan Sen.
- An opening weekend Centerpiece Gala film event screening of Origin with live performance by acclaimed singer and actor Stan Walker, a multi-ARIA Award nominee and recipient of numerous New Zealand Music Awards.
- A screening of Academy nominated Documentary film Sugarcane directed by Julian Brave Noisecat
- Arran 360 and Arran 360 2.0 - This first-of-its-kind film project features original 360-degree films created by leading Sámi filmmakers from across Sápmi.
- Wayibu Dhumba Shorts Program, a showcase of Australian short films.
- Lucky Us Shorts Program, a collection of Indigiqueer Canadian short films curated by Jason Ryle, programmer at Toronto International Film Festival.
Closing the Birrarangga Film Festival will be the Victorian premiere of Tinā, the acclaimed New Zealand film by award-winning director Miki Magasiva who will be in attendance with lead actress Anapela Polataivao. This poignant and ultimately uplifting drama follows Mareta, a grieving mother who, after losing her daughter in the Christchurch earthquakes, becomes a substitute teacher at an elite school. There, she discovers students in need of guidance and takes on the role of an inspiring mentor.
Birrarangga Film Festival is presented with support from Principal Partner Creative Victoria, Major Partner VicScreen, design partner Ortolan, and presenting partners Canadian Consulate , RMIT The Capitol, Lido, Classic, Palace Kino, Palace Westgarth, VCA Federation Hall, Treasury Theatre, Nant Studios, ACMI and Federation Square,
For the full program, including synopses, screening dates, times, and ticketing information, please visit: https://www.birrarangga.world/program