29 May 2024

BIRRARANGGA Film Festival | Windcatcher + Q&A with Boyd Quakawoot

| NFSA
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Still from Windcatcher showing a boy smiling and running

Windcatcher (Tanith Glynn-Maloney, 2024)

PG | 80 mins | 2024 | DCP | AUS | D: Tanith Glynn-Maloney

Percy Boy Collins (Lennox Monaghan) likes to run. A lot. That’s why he’s getting up at quarter to five in the morning. He needs a new pair of sneakers and he’s earning the cash by helping out at a local farm. Or rather, he was. Today’s his last day, because there’s a big race at his school and the prize is all he needs to get his savings across the line.

While training for the big day, Percy Boy discovers a supernatural ability to see Lost Souls – a gift passed down from his grandfather. Percy Boy must overcome his fears and past loss to chase his dreams.

Preview short film: The Water Walker
2020 | Unclassified | 13 mins | DCP | CAN | D: James Burns

The Water Walker is the first project from Seeing Red 6Nations, an Indigenous-owned media company based on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. It stars teenage climate activist Autumn Peltier, who is Anishinaabe-kwe, from Wiikwemkoong First Nation (Manitoulin Island, Ontario). The film is narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Graham Greene (Oneida, Six Nations of the Grand River Territory (Ontario)).

The Water Walker is a short documentary tracing the roots, passion and perseverance of young Autumn. We follow her story as she prepares to speak at the United Nations. Autumn is an influential figure in the Indigenous and global youth-led environmental movement. In 2019, 14-year-old Autumn was named the chief water commissioner by the Anishinabek Nation, a position previously held by her late Great Aunt Josephine Mandamin, an Elder and founding member of the water protectors movement.

Adding to the richness of the storytelling, the filmmakers incorporate Michif (Métis) artist Christi Belcourt’s renowned paintings, brought to life with stunning animated sequences that capture the sacred qualities of water.

Join us for a post-screening Q&A with Windcatcher writer Boyd Quakawoot.

The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is proud to partner with BIRRARANGGA Film Festival, celebrating global Indigenous films that explore the curatorial themes of ‘strength, resilience and the environment’. View the full program

The details

What: Windcatcher screening + The Water Walker short film + Q&A with writer Boyd Quakawoot
When: Saturday 22 June at 1pm
Where: NFSA (Arc Cinema)
Cost: $17–22; $13 Blak Tix; discounted 3-Film and 5-Film passes available. Book tickets

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