skip to content
Ronin Films

Study Guides

AFTERSHOCKS »

AFTERSHOCKS dramatises the 1989 Newcastle earthquake and tells the story of the survivors. Writer Paul Brown and a team of researchers interviewed 32 people who experienced the collapse of the Newcastle Workers' Club during the earthquake and uses these interviews as the words of the real characters.

AFTER THE APOLOGY »

In Larissa Behrendt's riveting documentary, four Aboriginal women each face their own battle to challenge government policies and bureaucracies to bring their grandchildren home. Their grassroots actions spearhead a national conversation to curb skyrocketing rates of child removal.

AGONY OF ECSTASY, THE »

Convinced that ecstasy use is behind her struggle with anxiety, depression and memory loss, 28-year old Lise sets out to discover how the 'Love Drug' is affecting her brain and those of the half a million Ecstasy users in Australia today.

ALL ABOUT OLIVE »

Olive is 107 years old. She has decided to go home and will make the journey back to Broken Hill where she was born. The trip will trigger memories of things long forgotten, fights, funny moments and events almost too sad to bear.

ANOTHER COUNTRY »

Legendary Aboriginal actor David Gulpilil tells the story of what happened when his people's way of life was interrupted. This film speaks eloquently of the havoc caused by the superimposition of a new culture over an old culture.

BALANDA AND THE BARK CANOES, THE »

This lively and eye-opening documentary is a companion film to TEN CANOES, the landmark feature film which Rolf de Heer made with the people of the Arafura Swamp in Central Arnhem Land. (TEN CANOES and its compilation sequel, TWELVE CANOES, are both available from Ronin Films).

BEDEVIL »

NOW RE-MASTERED - Three tales of the supernatural from Indigenous visual artist, Tracey Moffatt, combined in one extraordinary feature film, rich in virtuosic design, drama and movement.

BENEATH BLACK SKIES »

Australia's largest industrial disaster. A history of coal mining in the Illawarra.

BENEATH CLOUDS »

A visually poetic feature film about two youths who, in trying to find themselves, momentarily find each other on the road to Sydney.

BETELNUT BISNIS »

An often humorous story of a "grass roots" family in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, who make a precarious living by trading in betelnut, one of the world's most widely used narcotics. The film presents us with a vivid portrait of present-day Papua New Guinea - not the "doom and gloom" stories that dominate the media, but the day-to-day realities of life for "grass roots" citizens.

BEYOND THE ROYAL VEIL »

BEYOND THE ROYAL VEIL takes us on a surprising often humorous journey behind the lavish facade of Indian aristocracy into the lives of two men who have opened up their palaces to tourism, selling the 'royal experience'. But can they save their inheritances without sacrificing their dignity?

BIG ALL AT ONCE »

What is it like to be leaving school and suddenly having to make crucial choices about your life? This documentary intimately follows three different 18-year-olds, as they are spat out of high school and struggle to piece together their adult identities in their own way.

BIG BAD LOVE »

After discovering her best friend was violently abused by her partner, stand-up comedian Becky Lucas wants to know how you can spot an abusive relationship and what you can do about it.

BIG BOSS »

The story of 95-year-old Baymarrwangga, affectionately known as "Big Boss", and her commitment to pass on the Yan-nhangu language and traditional knowledge to future generations on Murrungga Island at the top end of Arnhem Land.

BLOWN AWAY »

A powerful examination of the myths and facts of Cyclone Tracy, one of Australia's worst natural disasters which devastated the city of Darwin on Christmas Eve, 1974. The film especially explores previously unrecorded Indigenous responses to the crisis.

BOOT CAKE, THE »

A small desert town on the edge of western India's famous salt plains is the unlikely home of the world's largest population of Charlie Chaplin impersonators. The Charlie Circle of Adipur embraces businessmen, shopkeepers, a doctor who prescribes Chaplin movies for medicinal purposes, teachers, engineers, students and a 3-year-old pre-schooler.

BRIDE FLIGHTS, THE (English version) »

The one-way ticket from Spain that changed Australian migration: about 700 Spanish women arrived in Australia during the early 1960s, supported by an informal agreement between the regime of Francisco Franco (1939-1975) and the Australian Government of that time.

BUCKSKIN »

Jack Buckskin is a man whose mission is to sculpt a new urban Aboriginal language and culture, and through that bring hope back to his people.

BUILDING AUSTRALIA »

Over six half hour episodes, the presenter, John Doyle, shows us the Australian house in all of its many distinctive forms in the present and in the past. Why have we built the way we have? How has Australia shaped the Australian house? And how has the Australian house shaped the lives and culture of Australians?

CHASING GOD »

A worldwide quest from the Vatican to the Ganges, the Wailing Wall to the Dalai Lama Temple and Dome of the Rock Mosque, seeking to discover the principle that drives humanity to believe in God - whatever or whoever that may be.

CHIFLEYS OF BUSBY STREET, THE »

The Chifleys of Busby Street is an eloquent portrait of Australia's best-loved Prime Minister Ben Chifley, his wife Elizabeth, and their cherished spirit kept alive in Bathurst for the five decades since his death. Friends and colleagues share anecdotes and memories of the Chifleys in this charming documentary.

CHILD'S EYE, THE »

AVAILABLE ONLY ON DVD! Through a series of workshops across India, documentary filmmaker David MacDougall sought to empower young filmmakers to engage directly with the world around them, using cameras to interrogate and explore what they saw, from their own unique child's perspective.

CHINESE TAKE AWAY »

CHINESE TAKE AWAY is an adaptation of an acclaimed physical theatre show, uniquely blends poetic storytelling, drama and archival footage, to bring a true story to the screen.

COMMON PURPOSE, A »

Twenty-five people are convicted of the murder of one man, fourteen are sentenced to hang, one lawyer is assassinated and the other goes into exile. A Common Purpose is the dramatic story behind a notorious murder trial that marks South Africa's transition from apartheid to democracy.

COOLBAROO CLUB, THE »

A portrait of the Coolbaroo Club, an Aboriginal-run dance club which operated in Perth from 1946 - 1960. The film is delivered via the memories of those involved, stills, archive and extensive dramatisation. An award-winning documentary on post-war race relations in Australia.

CROOKHAT AND THE KULUNADA [from the CAAMA Collection] »

Stories of the water serpent, Kulunada, which inhabits a permanent waterhole in the arid desert country of central Australia.

CROSSING THE LINE »

When two young, non-Indigenous medical students go to work in a remote Aboriginal community, their professional precepts and personal ideas are deeply challenged.

DIGGER, THE »

An exploration of Australian national identity through the story of the archetypal Aussie soldier. Includes 'extra features' - Extended Interview with Peter Cosgrove • Finding the Digger (making of documentary) • Trailer.

DO NOT RESUSCITATE »

A filmmaker's journey to understand the mystery of death as three characters make choices regarding their own mortality - Steve, Mary and Judy want the right to choose when and how to die.

DREAM OF LOVE, THE »

An intensely personal story by filmmaker Lawrence Johnston about his parents' troubled 59-year mixed-race marriage and the effect of the relationship and domestic violence on the sons and daughters of the family.

DRIVE »

In 1915 the biggest killer of young Australian males was Gallipoli. Today the biggest killer of young men aged 18-25 years is the road. Young men are dying in high speed, single vehicle crashes, crumpled in metal coffins, on lonely rural roads...

DRIVEN TO DIFFRACTION »

The remarkable story of William Henry Bragg and his son William Lawrence Bragg, two shy men who joined the ranks of the most important scientists of the twentieth century. "Ideally suited to whet the scientific appetites of teenagers" - Dr Michael Kindler, Principal, Stromlo High School, ACT

DYING TO LEAVE »

A two-part series about the ever-growing industry of people smuggling and human trafficking in a globalised world.

EIGHT LADIES [from the CAAMA Collection] »

A journey through Alyawarr Country with eight ladies as they hunt echidna and gather bush tucker.

ELLA »

An intimate portrait of the first Indigenous dancer to be invited into The Australian Ballet in its 50 year history - Ella Havelka.

EMILY IN JAPAN - The Making of An Exhibition »

Behind the scenes of the blockbuster exhibition of paintings by the Indigenous artist Emily Kame Kngwarreye which toured Japan attracting record crowds.

ETCHED IN BONE »

When the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC agrees to repatriate stolen human bones from northern Australia, an Aboriginal elder creates a ceremony that restores his ancestors' spirits to their homeland.

EXILE AND THE KINGDOM »

The experiences of a community of Aboriginal people from pre-colonial times to the 1990s. The re-release of the award-winning feature documentary from 1993, made with the YINDJIBARNDI, NGARLUMA, BANYJIMA and GURRAMA people of Roebourne, Western Australia.

FACING THE DEMONS »

A powerful documentary about restorative justice and conferencing. The story of a journey to bring the family and friends of a murdered boy together in one room with those convicted of his killing.

FAIR GAME »

Fair Game uncovers the personal and professional journey of sports hero, Heritier Lumumba, formerly known as Harry O'Brien, to understand his identity as a black man - a journey which led him to challenge racism and prejudice in sport. A moving and provocative film by Jeff Daniels.

FIRST FAGIN, THE »

From New York to Hobart, and from the darkest jails and prison ships of England to the penal colony of Port Arthur, THE FIRST FAGIN brings to life the passionate love and dramatic adventures of Ikey Solomon, family man, fence, and Charles Dickens' inspiration for the character of Fagin in Oliver Twist.

FIVE SEASONS [from the CAAMA Collection] »

In these fast and modern times, the Numurindi people are still guided by the seasons and stories of the Dreamtime. This observational documentary focuses on Moses Numamurdirdi and his families fight to hold onto their culture and ways in an ever-changing world.

FOOTY CHICKS »

A powerful enquiry into sexual dynamics and gender politics, FOOTY CHICKS is a lively and dramatic first-hand view of the game played off the field.

FOR LOVE OR MONEY: A History of Women and Work in Australia »

DIGITALLY RESTORED! An investigation and celebration of women's work from white settlement to the present, a story told by Aboriginal and migrant women, convict women and today's women.

FREEDOM STORIES »

Explores the achievements of former 'boat people' who arrived from the Middle-East around the watershed year of 2001. Locked in remote detention centres and then placed on temporary protection visas, their limbo lasted for years. Now Australian citizens, they are building secure lives and contributing to their new country.

FROHE OSTERN! HAPPY EASTER »

The story of joyful Easter camping rituals celebrating the way in which a group of German families have made their home in Australia over three generations.

FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE LAKE »

An intimate portrait of Jane Campion and her collaborators at work: a personal and insightful exploration of how the creative spirit can survive and flourish against all odds.

FRONTIER CONVERSATION, A »

A fascinating journey through the Top End of Australia to explore what history means to the traditional landowners.

GALLIPOLI »

Through the use of surviving diaries and letters of the soldiers, GALLIPOLI shows the bravery and the suffering on both sides. An epic reconstruction of the battle that changed nations forever: a film of spectacular visual sweep and great emotional power.

GOODBYE REVOLUTION »

This beautiful and moving portrait of Chinese artist, Shen Jiawei, is a 'labour of love' from director Esben Storm. Shen moved to Australia at the time of the Tiananmen Square uprising. Now, 20 years later, Shen is taking us back to China. A journey of rediscovery and reflection, a journey through which we get to know the artist well.

GOUGH WHITLAM: In His Own Words »

Australia's reformist and controversial former Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, shares his views on 50 years of public life, in an in-depth conversation with Senator John Faulkner.

GREAT STRIKE 1917, THE »

To this day, the Great Strike of 1917 is still Australia's largest industrial upheaval. The story of the Strike has long been dormant in archives, and is now re-told with original film footage from the era. OFFICIAL SELECTION! Antenna Documentary Film Festival...

GREEN TEA AND CHERRY RIPE »

NOW DIGITALLY REMASTERED. A fascinating portrait of Japanese women who came to Australia as war brides, and their survival in an alien land.

GULPILIL »

A portrait of the legendary Australian actor - David Gulpilil Ridjimiraril Dalaithngu.

HACKTIVISTS, THE »

A one hour documentary that explores the world of on-line activists. These are computer experts who are using the Internet and cyberspace as very effective new means of protest against global capitalism and the power of large transnational companies.

HANGING AUSTRALIA »

A major exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, "Australia" was the largest collection of art ever to represent this country overseas.

HISTORY BITES BACK »

After the bold and brilliant Occupation: Native, Aboriginal filmmaker Trisha Morton-Thomas teams up again with Comedy Director-Writer, Craig Anderson to launch a rocket into 250 years of taboos, prejudice and ignorance. History Bites Back uses devastating satire to unpack the negative social bias of the history shared between the nation's First Peoples and modern-day Australians.

HOLDING TIGHTLY - Custom and Healing in Timor-Leste »

Holding Tightly observes seven approaches to healing in remote, rural and urban parts of the Baucau municipality in Timor-Leste, spanning contexts and experiences from the armed resistance era to the independence period. A film by Lisa Palmer and Susanna Barnes.

HOPE »

In 2001, 400 asylum seekers set out on a boat known as the Siev X. Only 7 made it to Australia. Amal Basry was one of them ...

HOPE IN A SLINGSHOT »

HOPE IN A SLINGSHOT explores the day-to-day realities of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and the effect on civilians on both sides. A journey through the underbelly of the occupation of Palestine by Israel.

HOPE ROAD »

Filmed over a 5-year period, HOPE ROAD is a film by Tom Zubrycki which follows an ambitious project undertaken by a Sudanese refugee in Australia, Zacharia Machiek, to build a much-needed school back in his home village, now part of the new nation of South Sudan...

HUNGRY TIDE, THE »

A film about a nation on the front line of climate change: the central Pacific nation of Kiribati is one of the countries in the world most vulnerable to rising sea levels. DVD includes 2 versions of the film: 53 mins abridged for television and 90 mins full unabridged version.

IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN »

Follow the Tiwi Bombers football team through their first season in the Northern Territory's big league as they strive to fulfill the dreams of their grandfathers.

INHERITANCE, A FISHERMAN'S STORY »

Follows Balazs Meszaros' passionate struggle to gain compensation for his fellow fishermen for the loss of income and livelihood incurred by the cyanide spill that devastated the River Tisza in Hungary in January 2000.

INTERVENTION, Katherine, N.T. »

Intervention, Katherine, N.T. is a one-year record of the impact of The Emergency Intervention by the Federal Government in the Northern Territory region of Katherine and the surrounding communities of Beswick, Barunga, Eva Valley and Binjari.

INTO THE SHADOWS »

Looking from afar, the Australian film industry appears glitzy and glamorous, robust and invincible. Into the Shadows challenges this notion and journeys beyond the glamour to meet the filmmakers, distributors and exhibitors who bring Australian films to the screen.

IRAQ, MY COUNTRY »

A journey into Iraq after the American invasion, as told by an Iraqi refugee returning to his homeland after 10 years in Australia. A film of raw power and immediacy, capturing images of Iraq that we will never see on the nightly news.

JAMMIN' IN THE MIDDLE E »

An Arab-Australian comedy based on the true-life stories of young people growing up in the tough Western suburbs of Sydney.

JOURNEY WEST (BUWARRALA ARYAH) »

In the Gulf of Carpentaria in northern Australia, Aboriginal Elders lead their community on a traditional walk across Country to re-connect children and youth to their culture.

KABBARLI »

KABBARLI explores the extraordinary life of Daisy Bates and her passionate involvement with Australian Aborigines. The film interweaves fiction and biography, history and memory to explore Daisy Bates' life - a dramatic map of the colonial imagination, and a portrait of a remarkable and wily old woman.

KEEPER »

Growing up in a small town divided by mining disputes isn't easy, but for Aboriginal teenager Jacinta Haseldine it's a stark contrast to her grandmother's life at the same age growing up on a mission.

KEEPERS OF THE STORY - Jandamarra [from the CAAMA Collection] »

The story of the Bunuba people's efforts to keep alive the story of Jandamarra and his war against white settlers in the 1880s in the Kimberleys, as a source of inspiration for Aboriginal people and all Australians.

KIDNAPPED! »

The extraordinary story of a group of Japanese citizens who were abducted by North Korean spies in the 1970s and 1980s and the subsequent struggle of their families to have their loved ones returned.

KILLING PRISCILLA »

A filmmaker with three films to his name, including one huge hit and one enormous flop, attempts to get his career back on track and direct a stylish thriller in this behind-the-scenes documentary by costume designer Lizzy Gardiner.

KIM & HARLEY & THE KIDS (Family Foibles) »

Kim and Harley and the Kids looks at how hard family life can be when resources are limited. Kim has four children including four-year-old twins. Her partner Harley is father to the youngest three kids and his heart is in the right place. They all live below the poverty line in a Ministry of Housing home in outer Melbourne.

KINGS OF BAXTER »

A rare insight into life behind bars for juvenile inmates in one of the country's largest juvenile justice centres: two actors from the Bell Shakespeare company engage with young offenders in an attempt to stage a performance of Shakespeare's Macbeth for their families and fellow inmates.

KULKA: The Life and Times of Gordon Briscoe »

The inspirational story of Dr. Gordon Briscoe's life - from his work with legendary eye doctor Fred Hollows, to his days as an activist travelling Australia and telling traditional land owners about their land rights, and everything in between.

LACHLAN MACQUARIE: The Father of Australia »

Lachlan Macquarie transformed the penal settlement of Sydney Cove into a thriving British colony in ten short and tumultuous years. In so doing, he paved the way to nationhood. This is his story.

LAKE OF SCARS, THE »

A documentary exploring the beautiful, mysterious scarred trees, middens and stone scatters at Lake Boort and surrounds in Victoria, and the story of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, who are working against the clock to preserve and promote what they can...

LAND MINES - a love story »

LAND MINES - a love story is a compelling anti-war film set in Afghanistan, a country that has become synonymous with conflict. It is also a story of romance and a celebration of life, hope and love.

LAND OF THE LITTLE KINGS »

LAND OF THE LITTLE KINGS is a feature-length documentary which provides personal accounts of the forcible removal of Indigenous children from their families. Through these stories of survivors of the stolen generations, musician and performer Archie Roach reconstructs his own story.

LAST STAND AT NYMBOIDA »

The remarkable story of a worker rebellion that made international history. Bonus 35 minute extra feature includes interviews with ANDREW VICKERS, General Secretary, CFMEU Mining & Energy Chairman, Mineworkers Trust, and ALAN MURRAY, mining historian and author.

LAST TASMANIAN, THE »

The controversial 1978 documentary by Tom Haydon and archaeologist Rhys Jones. The story of the swiftest and most destructive genocide on record.

LEAST SAID, SOONEST MENDED »

The story of the filmmaker's twin sister: despatched at the age of 15 to an institution where she was hidden away and arrangements made for the adoption of her baby. She then lived for the next 25 years without knowing where her child was or whether she was alive or dead.

LIGHTING A CANDLE »

Dr Catherine Hamlin's 50 year journey for the destitute women of Ethiopia. EXTRA FEATURES include 3 additional short films: A COMPASSIONATE VISION, HEAVEN SENT and LABOUR OF LOVE.

LIONEL »

In 1968, a young Aboriginal boxer named Lionel Rose punched his way to history in Japan when he became the undisputed bantamweight champion of the world. This is his story, before and after he became a legend.

LITTLE TOWNS, BIG VOICES »

Taking a stand on domestic violence in regional, rural and remote communities: in this powerful short film by Fran Dobbie, this often hidden subject is brought to light by people willing to speak out about abuse to help create social change.

LOCKOUT »

In 1929, 10,000 miners found themselves locked out of their Hunter Valley coal mines in a bitter industrial dispute over pay rates. What began as an undeclared war on industrial labour ended up overpowering a government, crippling an industry and besieging a community.

LONG GOODBYE, THE »

THE LONG GOODBYE follows the journeys of three families living with dementia as they struggle to maintain the identity and dignity of those they love. Filmed over a 3 year period, the documentary celebrates the capacity of the human spirit to search for meaning and hope when the end is known and inescapable.

LONG SHADOWS: Stories From A Jewish Home »

Jewishcare (Montefiore Homes), is the largest Jewish aged care facility in Victoria, Australia. Most of its residents are survivors of the Holocaust. Stories of Montefiore residents rekindle horrific memories of a collective tragedy.

LORE OF LOVE, THE [from the CAAMA Collection] »

An 18 year old Aboriginal girl learns the lore of love from her outgoing and mischievous grandmothers.

LOUSY LITTLE SIXPENCE »

DIGITALLY RESTORED! In NSW, in 1909, the Aborigines Protection Board planned to break up Aboriginal communities by forcibly removing their children and hiring them out as servants to white employers. The title of this powerful documentary comes from the wages that were to be paid to the children...

LOVE-HEART BABY »

Filmmaker Shalom Almond wants a baby free from her family's history of blindness. While modern medicine might offer that possibility - there's no manual for the moral minefield that comes with it.

MAKING A MARK »

A chronicle of creative trailblazing - exploring one of the most personally challenging and financially tenuous of vocations, to live and work in the competitive world of the visual arts in Australia. A superb film about inspiration, aspiration and the hard facts of life.

MARY »

Excommunication in the 19th century, sainthood in the 20th. Mary MacKillop is one of Australia's unsung heroes. Despite excommunication and exile, Mary remained determined to bring education to the poor and underprivileged. In January 1995 Mary was beatified by Pope John Paul II as Australia's first saint...

MEMOIRS OF A PLAGUE »

The war against locusts is as old as human civilisation. Filmmaker Rob Nugent examines the complexity of the dramatic interactions between man and locust.

MESSAGE FROM MUNGO »

WINNER! UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA MEDIA AWARDS in the Category of "Promotion of Indigenous Recognition". The story of the interaction between Scientists and the Custodians of Indigenous Heritage at Lake Mungo, one of the world's richest archaeological sites.

MICK'S GIFT (Family Foibles) »

Mick Hudson was mythologised by his family but his films of the 1950s and the memories of loved ones leave contradictory images prompting a reassessment of the 'real' Mick.

MICROBES TO MACROBES: The Story of Frank Fenner »

Frank Fenner was one of Australia's greatest scientists. He helped save Australia's troops from malaria in World War II; charted the course of myxomatosis as it decimated Australia's feral rabbit population; was one of the leading figures in the global campaign which eliminated smallpox; and was a pioneering environmentalist.

MILLION ACRES A YEAR, A »

The devastating story of an ecological disaster: the epic history of post-war agricultural development in Western Australia and the personal journeys of a rural vanguard who came to acknowledge that current forms of agriculture were not sustainable...

MIRACLE OF THE LITTLE PRINCE, THE »

The story of how communities are keeping endangered languages alive with the help of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's Little Prince – from North Africa to Tibet, and the Arctic circle to Latin America. A feature documentary by Dutch filmmaker, Marjoleine Boonstra.

MOLLY AND MOBARAK »

Molly and Mobarak starts where the hysteria and hyperbole of media commentary on the Tampa incident and refugee problems leave off. It is a film that provides an intimate insight into what it means to be on a temporary protection visa, to be only partially accepted by the country you live in and to endure the emotional implications of seeking belonging.

MY LONG NECK »

Maja is proud of the 16 coils of brass around her neck that distinguish her as a Long Neck Kayan woman from Burma. But after 20 years of living on display and constantly being photographed in a tourist village in northern Thailand, the rings are becoming more of a trap than a source of pride.

MY MOTHER INDIA »

Director Safina Uberoi traces her parents' history. Her Australian mother married a Sikh and moved to India. There they bought up their three children and survived the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. The autobiography features family photos, historical footage and interviews with the family particularly with Uberoi's mother, Patricia.

MY MOTHER NANCY (Family Foibles) »

A cross-cultural, cross-generational tale of a mother reclaiming her identity to pursue her dream against the traditional conventions on which her family is built.

NOTHING RHYMES WITH NGAPARTJI »

Acclaimed Pitjantjatjara actor, Trevor Jamieson, sets out on a daunting personal journey to bring his hit show home to country ... but can he bridge these two worlds, two languages and two cultures?

NOT JUST NUMBERS »

Not Just Numbers is an inspiring documentary about the Tangentyere Women's Family Safety Group in Alice Springs. They believe in talking straight about the violence in their communities and are working on the front line in prevention. So often reduced to statistics, these heroes have banded together to fight for their lives and the lives of their families...

NUN'S NEW HABIT, A »

This documentary follows Sister Carmel, a sister of the Good Samaritans, in her fight for social justice. Along with many of her contemporaries, she is passionately involved with the plight of refugees who were incarcerated in detention for many years and the ongoing psychological trauma suffered after their release.

NYIRR-MARIE [from the CAAMA Collection] »

Evelyn Hall (Nyirr-Marie), a leader of her community in the campaign for land rights, returns to her country to say goodbye for the last time.

OCCUPATION: NATIVE »

The Aboriginal story is often buried deep beneath the accepted 247-year Australian historical narrative. It's not that the Australian story is wrong, it's just that it's a wee bit one-sided. Aboriginal filmmaker Trisha Morton-Thomas, bites back at Australian history in this inspired satire.

OCHRE AND INK »

OCHRE AND INK tells the extraordinary story of artist Zhou Xiaoping and his inspiring 23 year collaboration with Indigenous artists in the Maningrida area in the heart of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. A film by James Bradley, with co-producer Rachel Clements.

OK, LET'S TALK ABOUT ME »

Meet Eddie. He's a 17-year-old boy with Down Syndrome. He's stubborn and charming, funny and sometimes temperamental. Through the course of this documentary the viewer is invited to get to know Eddie - a rare treat - and journey with him as he turns 18 and prepares to leave school.

ONCE A QUEEN »

A universal story of a rural community with big aspirations ... Grafton in the Northern Rivers area of New South Wales, and its inspired annual celebration of its rich history.

ONCE MY MOTHER »

Australian filmmaker Sophia Turkiewicz investigates the reasons why her Polish mother abandoned her in an orphanage as a child and uncovers the truth behind her mother's wartime escape from a Siberian gulag, leaving Sophia to confront her own capacity for forgiveness.

ON THE BANKS OF THE TIGRIS »

A musical odyssey that uncovers the hidden – and almost erased – story of Iraqi music.

ORIGINAL MERMAID, THE »

From crippled child to the star of the biggest theatres in the world, the story of Annette Kellerman is truly without peer. Along the way she changed the face of swimming, fashion and dance and helped forge a new identity for women.

OUR COMMUNITY »

An exploration of the concept of 'community' in the far northwest of NSW - an intimate expedition through the townships of WALGETT, LIGHTNING RIDGE and SHEEPYARD.

OVER THE EDGE »

Teenagers in the series ON THE EDGE reunite 5 years later as young adults facing a turbulent world. This film explores how their choices have determined their present circumstances. Some are working, some in jail, and three are parents. Every one of them is living an extraordinary life and coming to terms with their world.

PANTHER WITHIN, THE »

Filmmaker Edoardo Crismani and his mother Barbara embark on a search to unravel the mystery surrounding Barbara's father, Joe Murray, an Indigenous boxing champion who danced and sang in vaudeville shows, and married a blue-eyed blonde white woman in 1930s Australia.

PAPA BILONG CHIMBU »

In 1937 a young Catholic missionary, Father John Nilles, arrived in the highlands of Papua New Guinea – one of the first whites the local people had ever seen. There he would stay for the next 54 years. More than just a priest, he would become an anthropologist, linguist, politician and clan leader.

PASSIONATE APPRENTICES, THE »

Three intimate portraits of a close-knit group of inspiring people who share a passion for perfection. These three artisans and their apprentices live and work in a quiet valley in Tasmania, in the shadow of Sleeping Beauty Mountain.

PIONEERS OF LOVE »

An epic story of Immigrant and Indigenous experiences in far north Queensland spanning across the 20th century.

POZIERES »

Between July and August, 1916, the small village of Pozieres in northern France became the centre of one of the bloodiest battles of the Great War. By the end of August the village had been destroyed. The battles to reclaim the territory for the French nation were to become legendary.

PRESIDENT VERSUS DAVID HICKS, THE »

The story of the Australian Taliban fighter, David Hicks: the film explores David Hicks's journey from stockman and rodeo rider to the legal limbo of Guantanamo Bay.

PRISON SONGS »

The inmates of a Darwin prison are shown in a new light in Australia's first documentary musical. Incarcerated in tropical Northern Territory, over 800 inmates squeeze into the overcrowded spaces of Berrimah Prison, and share their experiences in the most extraordinary way – through song.

PRODIGAL SON, THE »

Alexo hasn't spoken to his son for 15 years. It is only after serious illness that he begins to speak to him again. THE PRODIGAL SON is the moving story of a traditional Macedonian family's 'dilemma' with having a gay son.

PUNISHED NOT PROTECTED »

PUNISHED NOT PROTECTED is an educational documentary series in four parts (on one DVD) featuring the views of leading Australians and concerned citizens on the effects of government policy on asylum seekers and temporary protection visa holders.

PUNJABI LOVE STORY »

An Australian woman, Jocelyn Ortt-Saeed, lives with her husband Saeed in their home of many years in the Husain Sugar Mill, in the Punjab region of Pakistan. Two young people, Nawaz the cook and Mehnaz the maid, look after the house, and live nearby...

PUTUPARRI and the Rainmakers »

Against the backdrop of Australia's tangled colonial and Indigenous history, Putuparri and the Rainmakers explores one man's struggle to fulfill his destiny.

RABBIT PROOF FENCE »

Based on the true story of three young Aboriginal girls Molly, Gracie, Daisy: in 1931 they were forcibly removed from their families at Jigalong WA and taken to a camp 1500 miles away at Moore River to be trained as domestic servants, all part of official Government policy.

REDFERN STORY, THE »

In Redfern, in inner Sydney, a group of determined visionaries pioneered the National Black Theatre at a turbulent time for Indigenous politics in the 1970s. The Theatre left a lasting legacy on national politics, social welfare and the Australian arts scene.

RISKING OUR KIDS »

Exploring the "Modernity Paradox". Could we be the last generation of humans that live longer than our parents? Have we lost sight of how to care for our kids?

RIVER OF NO RETURN »

The story of Frances Daingangan, one of the stars of TEN CANOES, and her journey from traditional tribal life to the international red carpet. A film written and directed by Darlene Johnson, one of Australia's leading Indigenous documentary filmmakers, acclaimed for GULPILIL – ONE RED BLOOD and STOLEN GENERATIONS.

ROAD TO NHILL »

A delightful rural comedy: in a small isolated Australian town, a car carrying four members of the local bowling club runs off the road, trapping the women inside. Maurie, a local pig farmer, is first on the scene and alerts the Emergency Services...

ROBERT FORTUNE - THE TEA THIEF »

Behind the story of a simple cup of tea is a tale of espionage and intrigue captured in a documentary by Melbourne filmmaker Diane Perelsztein. The cup that cheers has a complex, often dark history. The story of tea is a tale of politics, economics and spirituality, of espionage, art and the drug trade.

ROSIE'S SECRET »

ROSIE'S SECRET is a fictional portrait of a forgotten heroine, Rosie Foster. We discover the pivotal role Rosie played in the construction and celebration of Australia's national icon, the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

SAMSON & DELILAH »

Samson and Delilah's world is small – an isolated community in the Central Australian desert. When tragedy strikes they turn their backs on home and embark on a journey of survival. Lost, unwanted and alone they discover that life isn't always fair, but love never judges.

SCRIBE, THE »

From deep within the engine room of politics comes this superb documentary on the "Donald Bradman" of speech-writers - Graham Freudenberg: a powerful journey into one of the great minds of politics who has written speeches for Labor leaders over many decades, including Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke.

SHADOW PLAY »

In Indonesia, on 30 September 1965 a group of President Sukarno's guards murdered six generals who were anti-Communist. General Suharto blamed the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI). Suharto grabbed power and set up death squads to murder up to a million accused Communist sympathisers...

SHAKE RATTLE & ROLL »

A journey with Parkinson's - Ross Collins is on a journey. At the age of thirty three, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. Now he wants to be like the man he was. An in-depth look at the toll and impact this disease has on one sufferer.

SHARK TRACKER »

A spectacular voyage of discovery with a team of marine biologists, catching and tagging Tiger Sharks in the Coral Sea, northeast of Queensland. The team is led by scientist and underwater photographer, Richard Fitzpatrick.

SILMA'S SCHOOL »

SILMA'S  SCHOOL is a compelling observational documentary about a Muslim school in Sydney and the tumultuous struggle by its principal to keep it open.

STILL OUR COUNTRY »

A poetic celebration of country and culture, Still Our Country documents the swiftly changing lives of the Yolngu people of Ramingining in the Northern Territory. This evocative carnival of images and sounds makes a bold declaration of identity and offers a hopeful promise of a future.

STOLEN GENERATIONS »

The removal of Aboriginal children in Australia was a deliberate government policy and forms part of the history of dispossession of the country's original inhabitants. Every Aboriginal family in Australia has directly or indirectly been affected and the effects have lasted over generations...

STRANDED »

Claudia is trying to start a new life for herself after the loss of her mother. She lives and fights with her loving but inept father and psychotic little sister. When two children are dumped on the family, Claudia moves into her mother's abandoned car in the driveway...

SUBURB 4 SALE »

An observational documentary, filmed over two years, that follows what happens when a public housing estate goes under the hammer. It documents the lives of families desperate to buy in, and those desperate to get out, and the charismatic real estate agent whose job it is to turn a public housing estate into a viable property market.

TALES FROM THE DALY - Nauiyu Nambiyu [from the CAAMA Collection] »

A journey into the stories and spectacular landscapes of the Daly River region in the north-west of the Northern Territory.

TALKING LANGUAGE with Ernie Dingo [from the CAAMA Collection] »

There are around 250 languages with 600 dialects spoken on this land. Today it is estimated around 30 of those languages are still strong and spoken daily, while over a hundred are critically endangered.

THINK ABOUT IT! »

A film by two self-confessed 'ordinary Australians' and novice filmmakers. Richard and Wendy Friar are committed to bringing people together for the future of world peace, democracy and the planet.

THREE BOYS DREAMING »

A universal story about young dreams and ambitions as three Indigenous boys chase the dream of becoming football stars.

TIME TO DRAW THE LINE »

East Timor was born as a new nation in 2002 after 25 years of turmoil and war. Australia's peace-keeping force, INTERFET, helped with the peaceful transition to nationhood. Now, a darker story of Australia's relationship with this new nation is emerging.

TRIAL, THE »

In February 2008 twelve Muslim men went on trial in Melbourne on terrorism charges. The trial ran for nine months, heard hundreds of hours of secretly taped conversations and presented 66,000 pages of evidence. THE TRIAL takes us inside one of the biggest court cases in Australia's history.

TROUBLESOME PRIEST, THE »

The story of Father Rod Bower, an Anglican priest from the central coast of New South Wales, whose provocative church signs go viral through social media around the world. He is committed to the belief that Australia's treatment of asylum seekers has put the soul of the nation in peril.

TWELVE CANOES »

In the wake of the international success of TEN CANOES, Rolf de Heer has collaborated again with the Ramingining community of north Arnhem Land in making this series of twelve short documentaries that together paint a visual and audio portrait of the people, history, culture and place of the Yolngu people.

TWO (2) DEGREES »

2 DEGREES tells two stories: first, the chaotic failure of the UN negotiations on climate change in Copenhagen; and the second takes us to the streets of Port Augusta, a small Australian town, and follows the community's passionate efforts to replace coal-fired power stations with solar thermal power.

UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS (Family Foibles) »

A family separates and, for the sake of their relationship and own lives, works out a way to keep living and parenting together for the sake of their daughter. Architecture, alternatives, and a lot of planning and negotiating are central to this story.

VEILED AMBITION »

An inspiring documentary about Frida,"a little Aussie battler in a scarf," and her dream to create a fashion empire.

VIETNAM NURSES »

The untold story of the young Australian Army nurses who served at the only Australian-run field hospital in the Vietnam War.

Vis a vis TECHNO TRIBAL »

A fascinating and emotional 4-day encounter. Ningali Lawford from the Kimberley in north-western Australia and James Luna from California meet through a satellite video link and embark on a journey into each other's world. The agenda for what would happen was entirely unknown.

VISIONS OF PARADISE »

The story of four young idealists who thought they had found paradise on earth only to discover they were actually in mind control cults.

VOICES OF TRANSITION »

Powered by the conviction that crisis can be a major catalyst for change, Voices of Transition present paths towards a new model of human existence: one which is fair, environmentally sound and fulfilling, with soil and people supporting each other in a balanced and sustainable system.

VOTE YES FOR ABORIGINES - The Story of the 1967 Referendum »

A documentary about the 1967 Referendum and the fight for citizenship rights for Aborigines. It marks the 40th anniversary of the occasion, celebrating its historical significance and contemporary relevance.

WAR STORIES »

In Gaylene Preston's moving documentary, seven elderly women recall their personal experiences of World War II. Their intimate, unadorned stories are filmed talking-heads style, interspersed with personal photographs and period newsreel clips...

WAYS OF THINKING »

A young Warlpiri Aboriginal man wants to leave his traditional community to seek work in a town. His wife is against this move; she wants to remain in the community, to be part of the traditional life of her tribe and to bring up their children in their ancient culture...

WHAT I WROTE - Andrew Bovell »

Andrew Bovell talks about his use of language, story and form, his re-writing of the plays, the rehearsal process and his collaboration with other writers, actors and artists.

WHAT I WROTE - David Williamson »

David Williamson talks about a lifetime of writing, the changing nature of Australian theatre and the rehearsal process.

WHAT I WROTE - Debra Oswald »

Oswald talks about the stories behind the plays, her stagecraft and her passion for notebooks.

WHAT I WROTE - Hannie Rayson »

Hannie Rayson engages with the national conversation and rehearses the big debates of our time. She uses family as a platform to discuss these issues. Hotel Sorrento, Inheritance, Life After George and the provocative Two Brothers make up her most influential works...

WHAT I WROTE - Joanna Murray-Smith »

Joanna Murray-Smith talks about writing first drafts, her childhood influences, her overseas productions and her working relationship with directors.

WHAT I WROTE - Katherine Thomson »

The dissident walks through Katherine Thomson's plays – the whistleblower, the unionist and the activist occupy her stage. We see them in Harbour, Mavis Goes to Timor, and Wonderlands. Katherine talks about her writing process, where he research has led her and where her ideas come from...

WHAT I WROTE - Louis Nowra »

A prolific writer who has changed the way we view theatre. From his evocative The Golden Age through Cosi and Radiance to the Boyce Trilogy we have come to expect the Nowra stage to show us the unexpected. A master of adaptation Nowra talks frankly about his working methods, his fascination with the fall of empires and the effect his childhood accident had on his concerns for language and teaching...

WHAT I WROTE - Matt Cameron »

An Australian playwright whose influences are suburbia, politics and rock music. His Ruby Moon delighted and shocked audiences. He holds a lens up to the ordinary and shows us how disturbing, how provocative it can be. Cameron talks about his themes of love, loss and the impossible and he shares his interest in comedy, his obsession with perfecting the text and his fascination with a kind of post-modern-absurdism...

WHISPERING IN OUR HEARTS »

The story of the 1916 massacre of Aboriginal people at Mowla Bluff, Western Australia, told in interviews with surviving Nyikina, Mangala and Karajarri peoples, as well as through dramatised re-enactments of the testimonials of Aboriginal witnesses.

WHO WE ARE - Brave New Clan [from the CAAMA Collection] »

Six young Australians share what Indigenous culture means to them today in contemporary urban Australia. From the bustling streets of Sydney to the aquamarine vistas of the Torres Strait, their stories span a diverse population across the country and yet share common themes of resilience, courage, optimism and success.

WHO WE ARE IN SPORT »

Six Indigenous sports stars talk about their experiences, achievements and challenges on the track, in the ring - and in life. Presented by Aaron Pedersen with Nova Peris, Mark Ella, Kyah Simon, Phil Krakouer, Des Abbott and Anthony Mundine.

WILD HONEY: CARING FOR BEES IN A DIVIDED LAND »

For more than a century, the island of Timor has been divided by a colonial border. This border has displaced and separated the people of Lookeu, dividing their land, water and history. Timor's migratory wild honey bees challenge this division.

WINNING WORLD WAR I »

A moving adaptation of the landmark book, The Western Front Diaries, written by historian Dr Jonathan King to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the end of World War I. Dr King presents this little-known story of the role of the tough-fighting Australians in the winning of World War I.

WOLF IN AUSTRALIAN ART, THE »

Danila Vassilieff was a pivotal figure in the emergence of Modernism in Australian art. He was also a Russian - a bold cossack from South Russia, and a defender of the czar. His fascinating life and profound humanity are the subject of this compelling and wide-ranging documentary.

WOMEN OF THE SUN »

Comprising of four stand-alone one-hour episodes, this ground-breaking series from 1982 depicts events in the lives of four Aboriginal women over more than 150 years.

WOMEN OF THE SUN ... 25 YEARS LATER »

A powerful documentary about the lives of the women who played leading roles in the ground-breaking drama series, WOMEN OF THE SUN.

WOODCUTTER'S SON, THE (Family Foibles) »

Jailed for 25 years for armed robbery, Allan Martin came out of jail 8 years ago as a published poet. He hopes to renew contact with his mother and sister after a long estrangement.

WORLD WAR I CENTENARY PACK »

This year, the world will be commemorating 100 years since the start of the First World War. For Australians this is a momentous occasion. The First World War touched the lives of nearly every Australian and the impacts are still prevalent today...

WRONG SIDE OF THE BUS »

Sidney Bloch, a professor of psychiatry, returns to South Africa from Melbourne for his medical school reunion. He's determined to resolve his guilt for colluding with Apartheid that has troubled him for forty years. He's accompanied by his teenage son, Aaron, who turns out to be his harshest critic...

YEAR OF THE DOGS »

When the film was made in 1997, the "mighty" Bulldogs hadn't won a premiership since 1954. The film follows the 1996 season: it is the centenary year of the AFL and the whole of Victoria and the allied states are celebrating the meaning and tradition of Aussie Rules.

YELLOW FELLA [from the CAAMA Collection] »

A portrait of the late Balang Tom E. Lewis who as a young man in 1978 was chosen by director Fred Schepisi to star in THE CHANT OF JIMMY BLACKSMITH. The life of the character he played was hauntingly close to his own – a restless young man of mixed heritage, struggling between two cultures to find his own identity.

YOLNGU BOY »

Three boys, two laws, one country ...