Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival

Celebrating its 11th year, the Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival returns to Brisbane Powerhouse with more remarkable storytelling. This year’s festival focuses on a new crop of indigenous filmmakers from Australia and abroad showcasing the great diversity of indigenous culture and artists.

Film powerfully reveals the world of the storyteller, and our festival is unique in its exclusive focus on indigenous film makers. Over the past ten years, Message Sticks has gathered a loyal collection of people who come together to share this world as a family of sorts, both on screen and behind the camera, and in the audience. For those who have been with us from the beginning, we welcome you back and for the newcomers, we are delighted to introduce you to the beginning of another decade of the best indigenous films from here and around the world.

Darren Dale and Rachel Perkins, Curators

WINNER 2009
The TDC Inside Film Award for Best Film Festival

Session 1: Saturday 14 August 8pm

Daniel's 21st
Boxing for Palm Island

Duration 1hr 5 mins

Session 2: Sunday 15 August 11.30am

Shimasani
Reel Injun

Duration 1hr 35 mins

Session 3: Sunday 15 August 6pm

Big Fella
Lani's Story 

Duration 1 hr 20mins

The Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival hits the road in June and will tour to nine venues around the country, visiting Adelaide, Canberra, Townsville, Broome, Perth, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin and Melbourne.

In addition to the Film Festival, live music on the Turbine Platform will feature local Indigenous music makers.

Waxing Lyrical from 5pm – 7pm on Sat 14 August will showcase local Indigenous singer/songwriters, featuring Adam James, Fred Leone (Impossible Odds) and more to be announced.

Live Spark from 3.30pm on Sun 15 August will feature alt-country/Indie Indigenous bands. Artists to be announced.