Australia’s only dedicated First Nations-led film festival, the Birrarangga Film Festival, is back in Naarm (Melbourne) from 13 to 18 March 2025, bigger and bolder than ever.
This biennial event, now in its fourth edition, will showcase more than 150 films from Indigenous filmmakers across Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Canada, the United States, Finland, Norway, and beyond, offering a vibrant celebration of global First Nations culture and storytelling.
Held across 10 venues, including the Capitol Theatre, ACMI, and Lido Cinemas, the festival will feature Australian premieres, panel discussions, live music, filmmaker masterclasses, and even 360-degree immersive screenings.
Many films will be presented in their original languages with English subtitles, ensuring authentic voices are heard.
The festival opens on 13 March at The Capitol Theatre with Je’vida, a Finnish Skolt Sámi-language drama by Katja Gauriloff, who will attend the event.
Other highlights include a masterclass with AACTA Award-winning filmmaker Ivan Sen, a Centerpiece Gala screening of Origin featuring a live performance by Stan Walker, and Arran 360, a groundbreaking collection of 360-degree Sámi films.
Closing the festival is the Victorian premiere of Tinā, a moving New Zealand drama about grief, resilience, and mentorship.
Artistic Director Tony Briggs said “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.”
For the full program, including synopses, screening dates, times, and ticketing information, visit: https://www.birrarangga.world/program
