The First Nations Film Festival (FNFF), a platform celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Indigenous cinema, will run a NAIDOC 2023 edition from July 2-31.

Featuring six new feature films, a collection of short films, and a special live Q&A session, FNFF 2023 will showcase titles that touch upon issues like the stolen generation and other historical themes that elders had to contend with.

The festival aims to honour First Nations artists and filmmakers who have used their talents to inspire change and make a difference for their communities.

Among the six new feature films are stories of Indigenous dancers, ancestral rites, and the journey of Aboriginal community leaders.

Also included is Scott Quayle’s documentary short The Grey Line, which portrays the liminal space of Aboriginal assimilation in Australia via the story of Helen Dwyer, a member of the Stolen Generations, who was raised by a non-Indigenous foster family and found herself in a unique cultural position. Quayle explores the pain and
intergenerational trauma experienced by Dwyer and other members of the Stolen Generations.

A special event will be held on July 5, featuring a collection of First Nations short films followed by a live Q&A with moderator James Williams, a proud First Nations actor, broadcaster, comedian, and musician. Williams will be joined by Fred Hollows Foundation director of Social Justice and Regional Engagement Jaki Adams, and Kayah Wills, the producer of The Grey Line.

The discussion will delve into film themes, panelist experiences, and the NAIDOC Week theme, For Our Elders.

The FNFF 2023 is supporting the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF), a national charity working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander remote communities across Australia. ILF provides culturally relevant books, resources, and programs to these communities.

All films will be available to stream on FanForceTV.