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A poetic interpretation of storytelling passed on through the images taken by my father as he traveled and worked through the Southern Hemisphere in the 1960s and 70s. Stories of personal and parallel struggles across lands and oceans.

Much of the romance associated with the development of the gold industry is to be found at Kalgoorlie on the golden mile, that rich strip of Western Australian territory. This film illustrates life in the town and the work of the miners: the school of mining, the vast store of mining tradition, the old-time prospectors who still search the surrounding countryside for new and fabulous strikes. It takes the viewer underground, deep into the galleries where the gold holding rock is blasted out, and shows the intricate business of separating the valuable metal from the rock that is undertaken on the surface.

A young Aboriginal man heads north in search of a girl, but discovers much more than he ever expected.

The Book Keeper will murder to protect his books, but his tiny world is turned around when he catches Granny chewing on TS Eliot.

A pioneer of indie music, Sarah Blasko walks the line between commercial success and artistic integrity with dignity. Narrated by Sarah herself, this film is an intimate portrait of the artist as she writes her new album.

Keith Adams, his wife Audrey, his sister Margaret and their fox terrier Tiger travel in an old Buick from their home in Perth, Western Australia across the Gibson Desert to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The evening seemed very disturbing to me, as if the approaching night was something to be feared. It was as if, when night fell, you couldn't escape and had to face unspecified consequences. Maybe the earth will remember and the night will reveal what we could have done...

THE NARROW BRIDGE is a searching journey into the souls of four people who, after searing pain, develop strengths they never had before. We watch with wonder as Bushra, Rami, Meytal and Bassam, women and men who lost a child or parent in violent conflict, transform their grief into a bridge for reconciliation.

In 1848, convict Joe is assigned as a labourer to settled Isaac Bowman in Western Australia. Joe escapes and takes refuge with a tribe of aborigines led by Te Mana Roa, who tell him about a mountain of gold.

The film outlines the history of the redevelopment of the Sydney suburb of Waterloo. Residents are interviewed and archival footage is used to outline the history of change in the area. The documentary emphasises the need for consultation and shows the results of more recent residents’ action groups.

This acclaimed adaptation of Tchaikovsky's fabled masterwork from Graeme Murphy and the Australian Ballet tells the story of a famous Russian ballerina who immigrates to Australia in the 1940s, only to find a newly tumultuous life awaiting. Noel Smith conducts the State Orchestra of Victoria, and Vicki Attard, Siobhan Elsmann, Steven Heathcote and Dame Margaret Scott star in this 1994 production. Nutcracker was recorded live at the State Theatre, Melbourne, Sep. 22, 1994.

Australia's strange and often beautiful wildlife is no more apparent than in the Lyrebird with its exotic courting displays and its ability as a mimic, which is unrivalled in the world of birds. Following its life for a year through Australia's great rain forests, we see a large variety of songbirds and the marsupials who share its natural environment.

Xavier, a man living with Bipolar disorder, wakes with a goading presence in his room, soon joined by a more supportive character. As these two presences battle, he must rise above the bickering and ready himself for the day.

In ‘Koriam's Law’ Australian anthropologist Andrew Lattas meets his match in philosopher-informant Peter Avarea of Matong village, Pomio, Papua New Guinea. Motivated by their lively dialogue the film sets out to traverse that most misconstrued cultural phenomenon: the Melasanian ‘cargo-cult’. A local leader called Koriam founded the Pomio Kivung Movement in 1964. In the face of official condemnation its political and religious philosophy sought to uncover that path to a perfect existence which whites so convincingly seemed to have found and, so selfishly, monopolised. ‘Koriam’s Law’ concerns itself with the contemporary works and understanding of the Pomio Kivung. Its leader is keen to show that the movement has nothing to do with ‘waiting for cargo’. Rather, its mission is to prepare the way for the coming ‘change’ and, at the same time, to organise for a better society in the here and now.

Charming, light-hearted and fizzing with subversive wit, Neil Armfield's sparkling production of the marriage of Figaro captures Mozart's most popular Opera. In this classic performance, recorded live at the Sydney Opera House, Patrick Summers conducts a energetic fresh-voiced cast, headed up by baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes and Taryn Fiebig who make a vivacious, appealing pairing as Figaro and Susanna, while Peter Coleman-Wright triumps as the lascivious Count Almaviva.

The surviving seven-minute fragment (original length unknown) shows street scenes of Ballarat is believed to be part of the 1907 film, the second feature film made in Australia (after the 1906 production, The Story of the Kelly Gang). Other scenes in the lost reels of the film were believed to have included gold seekers leaving London; the issuing of licences; the rush at Canadian gully; the arrival of the first women at the goldfields; licence hunting; diggers chained to logs and rescued by mates; the murder of Scobie; diggers burning Bentley's Hotel; the Rebellion; Peter Lalor addressing the miners; burning the licenses; building the stockade; troops storming the stockade; the stockade in ruins; and a look at Ballarat 55 years later

Spokes follows the story of a boy and his enchanting journey for love. He lives out his fantasies through his quirky imagination. After finding the perfect flower for his crush he sets off on his fantastical mission to deliver the object of his affection. An angry French ant, a pack of nasty schoolgirls, and an old lady with a wild glint in her eye, all help (and sometimes hinder) the boy on his quest for true love.

Aki's Imagination is imbued through Tobu Himeo aka the Floating Girls. As a Japanese born Australian artist, Aki Yaguchi moulds her artwork around the interplay between her heritage and being a women within a male dominated space.

A reflection on experiences as a woman and cultural commentary on stereotypical portrayals of women in film. Inspired by film noir, Andy Warhol’s Screen Tests and Joseph Cornell’s The Midnight Party. The film explores female representations using unique imagery and symbolism.

Impressions of the city of Volos, Greece.

SORELLA'S STORY explores the story behind a single atrocity photography of a group of women and 11-year-old Sorella, during the Holocaust.

After nearly three years living in Japan, Fergus Gregg finds himself struggling to bid farewell to this beautiful country. On a journey tracing the path of his hero, the poet Matsuo Basho, Fergus decides to trek the northern landscapes of Tohoku. As he travels, he encounters more than he bargained for - facing setbacks, meetings with traditional hunter-gathers, and dances at northern Japan's largest Summer festival. Join Fergus Gregg on his 'Road to the North'.

When Blake discovers that his bicycle has gone missing, he goes on a journey throughout his town to find it, leading him to discover what it means to finally grow up.

A young man finds a box by the seashore. On looking inside it, he sees a view of the ocean floor, travelling through seaweed and other sea life.

A comedy about a prisoner, Mohamed, relating to three fellow inmates the tale of how he landed in jail. He tells the story of his misadventures with Apolonia, a drag queen he meets at the door of a night club; realising that Apolonia is not what he'd like her to be.

Above the tip of Cape York, beyond the northernmost point of the Australian continent, are the Torres Strait Islands. The economy here is based on home gardens and pearlshell fishing. The culture, with its basis in music, dancing and ceremony, provides a striking contrast to that of mainland Australia. This film, shot in the late 1960s, shows how strongly old traditions still affect Torres Strait Islander people, even though they also have most of the trappings of modern life.

From the remote, islands of Vanuatu, comes an extremely unique and rarely seen tradition, water music.

After responding to an internet ad without thoroughly reading it, a traveller stays with an old Australian couple under the guise of a working holiday.

A broken relationship between Dahlia and her mother are torn further when an old crone trespasses on their property, transferring a curse of horrors onto the family.

Leah is dedicated to her future. The only thing that stands between herself and that future is her girlfriend. And the ends truly do justify the means.

In the Brisbane Creative Leisure Centre, conducted by the Cantrills, children are shown reproductions of stained glass windows and then make large transparent pictures with black paper, coloured cellophane, and other materials such as discarded x-ray pictures and textured fabric, with a minimum of instruction. These are taken indoors and fastened to window panes.

A father's takes his estranged son on a fishing trip as a way of bonding, but when the car breaks down he realises it's not the only thing that needs fixing.

'25' are two unknown, indie songwriters in a bare bones studio on a train in the industrial West of Melbourne - Australia’s music capital. They plan to write, record then release a fresh song every two weeks of the year. Cath loves pop; Nick loves garage rock. She wants jazz flute; he wants a dirty guitar. Is this ever going to work or are they totally deluded? Is it an impossible goal?

Two motorcycle racers, Adam Riemann and Mark Portbury endure a 7000km mission across Europe, in hope of reaching the Pyramids of Egypt. Avoiding Syria, the find a way across the Mediterranean and venture into the aftermath of the recent Cairo massacre. Despite military confrontation, they defy the odds and make it inside the ancient compound of the Pyramids, but triumph turns to treachery as they must continue into one of the Middle East's most lawless regions... the Sinai Peninsula. Putting their lives further at risk, the boys wander into the Sinai only to stumble upon one of religion's most sacred landmarks. Motonomad isn't just a motorcycle adventure - it's a story of discovery, friendship and the undeniable power of chance.

It's the night of Pickman's big art show, but where are the guests? When nervous art critic Thurber arrives, Pickman's plan to make friends doesn't quite go to plan...

Known for his lanky frame, dirty jokes and pre-pubescent moustache, Frenchy only promises one thing from his show - laughs. This aint a TED talk, this is an odd looking humanoid telling a bunch of dark jokes you shouldn't laugh at, but do. A brilliant, off-the-cuff improviser, his 'crowd work' is some of the best in the world and always keeps the show feeling spontaneous. Edgy, Dirty and Absurd, this epic live show will have you wondering if he is some sort of bogan genius, or simply an overgrown stick-insect who's sniffed too much paint.

Thirty worlds in less than a blink and oh-so many more...

This arresting vision of a city's secrets is composed of over 8000 drawings worked on by director, writer, animator, producer Cathy Linsley in her bedroom.

This film re-animates stereoscopic images of Melbourne from the 1920s. Technically the film makes a statement about how each new iteration of moving image technology reclaims artifacts and gestures from the past. Such an archeology enables the viewer to approach these images in new ways. Further, just as the image has become unstable so have our beliefs. Living in the Past recycles Jethro Tull’s lyrics to indicate that we no longer understand the political situation we live in. This film re-animates stereoscopic images of 1920s Melbourne to create a dynamic Cubist space. Technically the film makes a statement about how each new iteration of moving image technology reclaims past artifacts and gestures. Just as the image has become unstable so have our beliefs.

At the request of a dying Tiwi man and his family on Melville Island, this film was made of the pukumani (bereavement) ceremony to follow his death. The film observes the family through the long period of preparation for the ceremony, following age-old traditions. Dancing and face-painting are rehearsed, to the family’s satisfaction, and because “things should be right for this film”. For the two days of ceremony, the community moves to Carslake Beach where a smoking ritual is held to protect the participants from spirits. The cemetery poles are erected, traditional dances are performed along with personal dances by family members. Facial and body decoration is elaborate and spectacular. After saying a final farewell to the old man, the community and the family leave the Beach and return to the village where routine life resumes.

Maia's grandpa was her hero. Despite his weak heart, he loved the outdoors, especially hiking the mountains near their home town. There was just one climb he couldn't finish, and her greatest wish was to finish it for him.

During the 1980s, claims of satanic ritual abuse ran rife throughout the western world, uncovered by hypnotic therapists and perpetuated throughout the media, including high-rating television talk shows. In Demonic, filmmaker Pia Borg delves into this bizarre chapter of history, examining the elusive line between fact, fiction and the persuasive power of the media.

a quiet noise

Two women living in the same apartment block are drawn to each other as if through the power of a shared fantasy.

Lucid Dreaming is a non-linear narrative, delving into the subconscious and surreal. Join Macy in her early 20s as she distances herself from friends and family, seeking to deal with trauma through self-reflection and dream journaling, only to discover the ability to lucid dream. Be taken on a journey of discovery, exploring dreams through a unique first-person point of view perspective. Macy finds that lucid dreaming can unlock the potential of the human mind by accelerating learning and developing greater internal awareness. Later in life, Macy, now in her 60s, is the leader of a mysterious group promoting the power of lucid dreaming, she has assembled a collection of dream experts, and is beginning to handpick new recruits to grow the movement.

A hybrid film, part-documentary, part-fiction, on the history of Greek radical music.

Out of boredom, a high society girl visits her father's outback cattle station. After several adventures involving a gang of ruthless cattle duffers, she falls in love with the manager of the station. Only part of the film survives today.

1942, Croker Island, as Japanese bomb the North, 95 Aboriginal children and their missionary carers make a remarkable journey to safety 3000 miles across the Australian continent.

Voice of Change is set on Bougainville, an autonomous region of PNG coming out of a 10 year civil war. Humanitarian Sister Lorraine lived through the crisis emerging as a mediator to promote peace and reconciliation. Now she leads the Nazarene Centre, assisting individuals and families with their daily struggles, as Bougainville is not just re-building infrastructure, but its people.

Walter Lee, aka Vivien, provides voice over for this short documentary. Stills, vintage footage, and re-enactments paint an amazingly vivid backdrop to exhibit the life of a "squishy" drag queen through wartime service and 1950s repression.

Emma is performing a monologue about unreturned love, however because of being in her first stable relationship she refuses to perform it the way her director intends.

Joao Texeira de Faria, also known as John of God, is a world famous spiritual healer from Brazil who has been attributed to many miracles that science cannot explain. His work attracts both controversy and acclaim. For the past 30 years, thousands of people from all over the world have been flocking to his remote village in Brazil in search of cures for illnesses Western medicine offers little hope. Film maker Michelle Mahrer follows the journey of two of her friends on a healing odyssey to Brazil - Lya Shaked from Australia has terminal cancer, and Fred Porter from USA has HIV. Will they be lucky enough to receive a miracle?

A young man tries to make a short film where difficulties surround him

An undercover cop must eliminate a high profile target, to save her family

Angie (Marshall) could have been one of Australia’s leading musicians, but she sabotaged her own career. Now in her forties, she’s dying and alone – but determined to record one last album. Money is tight and the odd gig at the local pub doesn’t exactly fill the coffers. When she meets teenage runaway Ruby (Maisie Owens), the pair form an unlikely bond. Angie teaches her to play the guitar and write songs, but despite their closeness Angie just can’t bring herself to tell Ruby the truth about her illness. Marshall’s own songs, and resonant voice, alongside the Newcastle setting, bring a tender authenticity to this rebellious music-driven drama.

Aboriginal singer Zaachariaha Fielding is taking the Australian music industry by storm; touring the nation and the world with his groundbreaking electro-soul band Electric Fields. From winning New Talent of the Year at the National Indigenous Music Awards, Zaachariaha returns to the tiny central desert community of Mimili to reveal the inspiration behind his unique music. Through revealing interviews with Zaachariaha and his family, we learn of the challenges he was forced to overcome as a child, and his journey to music stardom as a proud member of the LGBTQ community.

Take in Sydney from the rooftops in this gently surreal, wordless short. With a cheeky animated interlude and sweeping harbour views, this is 1970s city life with a twist.

In this "Best Concept" award-winning film, after meeting the love of his life, Brian is sent off to war. Upon his return, he learns of his dementia and has to come to terms with his reality.