The Arakwal Corporation, Flickerfest & iQ Inc are thrilled to present their annual evening of inspiring First Nations storytelling celebrating NAIDOC Week 2024 and this year's theme ‘Keep The Fire Burning! Blak Loud And Proud’.

This year’s Indigenous Spotlight programme of Flickerfest favourites is curated from the recent Flickerfest Academy® qualifying Australian competition and will take you on a special journey with some incredibly strong and powerful stories, who’s compelling voices will inspire, move and delight.

The filmmakers and film creatives featuring in the 17^th Arakwal NAIDOC week screening are some of the leading lights in indigenous film today, blazing brightly on Australian screens and stage.

The programme features 9 multi award winning short films, including 3 films from Northern Rivers creative teams. Don't miss the moving personal family drama ‘Djalubuyan Nahra’, shot in New Brighton and across the Northern Rivers by award-winning local First Nations filmmaker Jahvis Loveday and a talented young crew, which tells the poignant true story of his little sister Nahra returning to country, the stunning animation ‘Duwarra Wujarra’ winner of Best Australian animation at Flickerfest 2024, created here in our region by Eltham animation director Brent McKee & animator Craig Martin; plus the contemporary post flood story from One Vision Productions and the Cabbage Tree Island community - ‘Coming Home Cabbage Tree Island’ 

Further highlights include a stunning WA film about standing firm in your culture ‘To Be Silent’, by Noongar Spinifex filmmaker Tace Stephens; ‘Just Beneath The Surface’ an award winning Torres Strait film from Erub Island by TSI writer/director and artist Jimmy John Thaiday who works with Ghost nets and sculpts art forms depicting sea creatures in the hope of bringing awareness to this issue - winner of the 2023 Telstra NATSIAA (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Art Awards) in the multimedia category; and contemporary Naarm drama ‘Allira’ about a famous Aboriginal actress who must make a decision, leave her unfaithful husband or stay with him and maintain their rare position as positive representatives of Aboriginal people in the mainstream media.

Come along & enjoy these unique stories from incredible First Nations filmmakers championing First Nations voices and this year's NAIDOC theme ‘Keep The Fire Burning! Loud Blak And Proud’ & support the celebration of First Nations culture during NAIDOC Week.

A fundraiser for the Bundjalung Of Byron Bay Arakwal Corporation & supported by The Byron Theatre.‍

Programme details & info: flickerfest.com.au/tour/byron-naidoc | 0414 779 881

Event Details:

‍5:30 pm - Venue doors and bar open

6:10 pm - Theatre doors open

6:30 pm - Screening begins

8:30 pm - Event ends