19/9 - 7pm - LIKE MY BROTHER - Opening Night with Special Guests

Four talented Tiwi Island Indigenous girls dream of AFLW stardom, and with the support of their community, face the social and physical obstacles standing in their way. This is an inspirational story of human endurance, ancient resilience and the power of sport to act as a force for change. Filmed over 6 years, the documentary explores the different worlds that the girls must traverse from the remote Tiwi Islands to mainland Australia as they are selected by the Essendon Football Club for their talent and unique style of play. Navigating the competitive world of professional football while dealing with the weight of cultural expectations, distance and financial barriers, the girls encounter triumphs and disappointments before defining success on their own terms to become an inspiration for the next generation of their community.

Screening with short - Winimaku Ara Papa Wiimatjaraku.

20/9 - 7.20pm - SUJO

Winner, World Cinema Dramatic Grand Jury Prize, Sundance Film Festival 2024. After a cartel gunman from a small Mexican town is killed, his four-year-old son Sujo is left orphaned and at risk. Rescued by his aunt, Sujo grows up in isolated poverty, constantly threatened by his father’s dangerous legacy. As a teenager, Sujo rebels and joins the local cartel but ultimately seeks a fresh start away from violence. As he matures, Sujo must confront his family history and face his future front on.

Screening with short - Pegasus Highway

21/9 - 3pm - THERE'S STILL TOMORROW

All Delia has ever wanted is to be a wife and mother. She lives in Rome in the late 1940s – a city divided between the positive thrust of liberation and the miseries of the war that has just ended – with her husband, Ivano, and their three children. Ivano may be a harsh master; his father even more so. However, Delia has a best friend with whom to share moments of levity, and her daughter is about to get married. She accepts her fate – the good with the bad – until a mysterious letter arrives.

Screening with short - kwatye urrewe

21/9 - 6pm - THE MONK AND THE GUN

In 2006, Bhutan embraces all things modern, with the introduction of internet, television, and democracy. To prepare citizens for voting, authorities set up a mock election, but the rural population remains skeptical. As an election supervisor travels to remote areas where religion often outweighs politics, he uncovers that a monk is planning a secretive ceremony on election day. This charming insight into a fascinating country won the Special Jury Prize at the Rome Film Festival and the Audience Choice Award at the Vancouver International Film Festival.

Screening with short - Making Revisions

22/9 - 3.45pm - MY FAVOURITE CAKE

At 70, Mahin lives alone in Tehran after her husband’s death and her daughter’s move to Europe. Her solitary routine shifts dramatically following a lively afternoon tea with friends. This gathering rekindles her interest in romance, setting off an unexpected and unforgettable evening where Mahin embraces new possibilities. As she experiences a whirlwind of emotions that revitalise her spirit, Mahin realises that it’s never too late to discover joy and love. Winner, FIPRESCI Prize, Berlin Film Festival.

Screening with short - The Fix-It-Man And The Fix-It-Wooman

22/9 - 6.30pm - WE WERE DANGEROUS with SPARK

In 1954 New Zealand, Nellie, Daisy and Lou find themselves in an island facility for delinquent girls, and become aware that disturbing events are unfolding under cover of night. ‘We Were Dangerous’ explores a sinister history of eugenics in New Zealand while managing to be funny and uplifting - as befits a film with Taika Waititi as executive producer - and premiered at South by Southwest. 

Screening with the SPARK - NT Short Film Initiative

Winimaku Ara Papa Wiimatjaraku - screening with Like My Brother on Opening Night

Directed by Rosalyn Brenda Boko, David Boko

A Ngunytjuku Mamaku Tjukurpa Kanyini Wanka production. Based on paintings and a story by Margaret Nampitjinpa (Williams) Boko, about her grandson Harry Meneri’s little dog. 

Made in partnership with Tangentyere Artists, with support from UNSW Big Anxiety Research Centre and emLAB, and the Australian Research Council DECRA program. © Margaret Boko and Tangentyere Artists. Film still derived from original painting by the artist [2016/2024].

Pegasus Highway - Screening with Sujo

Directed by Katherine's own, Ethan Grahek

Two Bronies (Adult male fans of small, collectable Pony toys) are out to buy weed for their first time. Unbeknown to them, it is also their dealers first deal. What should have been a simple transaction quickly devolves, forcing one of the Bronies to chauffeur the eccentric drug dealer on a psychotic road trip. But there is more to these Bronies than the dealer could ever fathom.

kwatye urrewe - screening with There's Still Tomorrow

Directed by Kieran Mpetyana Satour

How does living on Country inspire writing? Be immersed as writers and poets from language groups across the Central Desert share their work.

Making Revisions - screening with The Monk and the Gun

Directed by Matthew Deavin

This film chronicles a collaborative project between Central Australian Warlpiri painters and British artist Patrick Waterhouse, focused on revising colonial era documents.

The Fix-It-Man And The Fix-It-Wooman - screening with My Favourite Cake

Directed by Nelson Armstrong & Cornelius Ebatarinja

A Yarrenyty Arltere Artists story featuring their unique and vibrant artwork. An unfortunate event unites two people with a knack for fixing things.

SPARK - NT Short Film Initiative. Screening with WE WERE DANGEROUS on the closing night.

The SPARK Short Film Initiative returns with three incredible short films, created bespoke for the festival. Three teams of emerging NT filmmakers received funding and support from Screen Territory to produce short fiction films.

Bear (SPARK)

2024 | 12m | NT | UC15+ | Directed by Rebecca Parker, Produced by Sarah Price, Rebecca Parker, Written by Rebecca Parker

Bev, a small-town grandmother, has a difficult decision to make. Her grandkids are visiting and her daughter has given her an ultimatum – she must put her dog, ‘Bear’ down before they arrive. Bear has attacked and mauled three children. Whilst waiting in the vet clinic, Bev meets a woman called Sherrie. When Sherrie discovers what Bev is planning to do, she cannot restrain her outrage and Bev is forced to question her decision.

Live from the Alice (SPARK)

2024 | 12m | NT | UC15+ | Directed by Damon van der Schuit, Produced by Emma Smith, Written by Damon van der Schuit

Sensationalist news reporter Jessica is sent to Alice Springs and told to file a report about social disorder. She has a day to put together a piece for the evening news and cover a press conference by the inbound Prime Minister. On arrival, she meets easy-going camera operator Harley, a local man. What she hopes to be a quick and easy hit-piece is comically derailed as she gets to see the many other sides of the community.

Fence (SPARK)

2024 | 12m | NT | UC15+ | Directed by Samantha Alexis Laughton, Produced by Rarriwuy Hick, Samantha Alexis Laughton, Written by Samantha Alexis Laughton

A young woman slaves to maintain the boundary line fence of a remote cattle station for a brutal boss man, until a mysterious captive is brought in, revealing an ancient inner strength to her from the foremothers of her homelands. She is given the courage to escape the fence that has entrapped her womanhood and spirit since birth - returning back to herself, on country (Apmere).