10 venues, 6 days, 150 films: Melbourne’s epic First Nations film festival returns this March

Published in Beat Magazine

WORDS BY STAFF WRITER

Australia's largest celebration of Indigenous film and storytelling returns to Melbourne with over 150 films from across the globe.

The fourth Birrarangga Film Festival will showcase First Nations filmmakers from 15 countries including Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Canada, Finland, Norway, Russia, Mexico, Hawaii, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Fiji, Peru and Taiwan. Many films will be presented in their original languages with English subtitles, alongside a program of masterclasses, panel discussions, live music performances and networking events.

The festival opens with Je’vida, an award-winning Finnish Skolt Sámi-language drama exploring the experiences of Finland’s Indigenous peoples. Writer-director Katja Gauriloff will attend the screening at the Capitol Theatre.

Birrarangga Film Festival

Multiple venues across Melbourne

March 13-18, 2025

Venues: Capitol Theatre, Lido Cinemas, Kino Cinema, Sofitel Arthur Auditorium, Palace Westgarth Cinemas, Treasury Theatre, Classic Cinemas, VCA Theatre, ACMI, Nant Studios

“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!” says Artistic Director Tony Briggs.

Program highlights include a three-hour masterclass with AACTA Award-winning filmmaker Ivan Sen, an opening weekend Centerpiece Gala screening of Origin featuring a live performance by Stan Walker, and Arran 360, a groundbreaking collection of 360-degree films by leading Sámi filmmakers.

The festival closes with the Victorian premiere of Tinā, a New Zealand drama by award-winning director Miki Magasiva. Both Magasiva and lead actress Anapela Polataivao will attend the screening of this poignant story about a grieving mother who becomes an inspiring mentor at an elite school.

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.”

Tickets and full program details available at birrarangga.world/program.