SongRites SongRites Short Films

Experience four powerful First Nations short films by First Nations storytellers from regional communities, underpinned by their connection to Country and culture – Katele (Mudskipper), The Djarn Djarns, Bala and Jarda Bura, Gurri Bura, Jarda Ngarli, Gurri Ngarli. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that content from this event may contain images and voices of deceased persons.

Katele (Mudskipper)

Australia | 2022 | English | Drama | M

Katele (Mudskipper) won Best Australian Short at its Flickerfest Premiere in 2023 and at MIFF the same year. Directed by John Harvey, it follows Martha (Elma Kris), a weary Torres Strait Islander woman whose monotonous laundromat job takes a surreal turn when a mysterious visitor, Katele (Mudskipper), offers her a glimpse into another life. Rooted in Saibai Island mythology, this poignant story explores the pull of home and the unbreakable ties to culture and place.

Director John Harvey
Producer Gillian Moody
Writers John Harvey, Walter Waia
Cast Waangenga Blanco, Elma Kris, Tony Nixon

Bala

Australia | 2021 | English | Drama | M

Directed by former Senior Artist and Choreographer at Bangarra Deborah Brown, the eclectic tale of Bala made the official selection for various film festivals including ImagineNATIVE Film Festival, Toronto, Flickerfest, Sydney and the Brisbane International Film Festival. A former navy officer reunites with his cousins to grieve after learning of the death of his much loved Grandfather and the break up of a relationship. Feeling alone he questions his significance. The call of the ocean is strong.

Director Deborah Brown
Writer Melissa Lee Speyer
Cast Luke Currie-Richardson, Waangenga Blanco, Michael Bani

The Djarn Djarns

Australia | 2005 | English | Family, Drama | M

The Djarn Djarns is a heartfelt story of friendship, culture, and loss, centred on four young First Nations boys who perform as a traditional dance group at their local cultural centre. The story unfolds on the anniversary of Franky’s (Hunter Page) father’s death, as grief begins to disrupt the group’s plans for a performance. As Franky navigates the emotional weight of the day, the film becomes a moving portrait of resilience, cultural identity, and the strength found in shared experience.

Director Wayne Blair 
Producer Kylie du Fresne 
Screenwriter Wayne Blair 
Cinematographer Murray Lui 
Editor Henry Dangar 
Cast Hunter Page-Lochard, Scott Angeles, Tony Barry, Lafe Charlton, Lillian Crombie, Blake Herczeg, Ben Mazza, Kerrod Melton, Alexa Miller, Tony Briggs, Scott Munns, Wayne Blair

Jarda Bura, Gurri Bura, Jarda Ngarli, Gurri Ngarli (Senior Woman, Young Woman)

Australia | 2024 | Ngarluma, Yindjibarndi, English | Narrative | G

Exploring practice and power through film, photography and composition, this powerful film highlights women’s stories of strength. With touching intimacy, bear witness to the intergenerational relationships between women, their kinship system, their living connection to Country, and the knowledge they collectively share between mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters and aunties. Co-created with Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi women from Ieramugadu (Roebourne), this is a story of matriarchal strengths, and the enduring leadership of First Nations women.

Producers Big hART, WA Museum – Boola Bardip
Cultural & Language Advisers Berry Malcolm, Maudie Jerrold, Janelle Mowarin, Allery Sandy, Michelle Adams 
Creative Team Jessica Allan, Nina Allen, Leith Alexander, Rebecca Riggs-Bennett, Anna Cadden, Genevieve Dugard, Adelina Larsson-Mendoza, Claire Leach, Robyn Marais 
Community Producers Bodhi Aulich-Croll, Zoe Street 
Cast Berry Malcom, Anne Jacobs, Maudie Jerrold, Allery Sandy, Janelle Mowarin, Verdelle Jerrold, Michelle Adams, Mae Mae Jeffries, Kimberley Wilson, Lauriann Walters, Bella Warrie, Karella Walker, Hannah Phillips, Lashonrae Long, Jessica Allan, Nina Derrell, Trinity Mowarin, Penny Wally, Renee Wally, Owneika Guiness, Coby Guiness, Ella Togo,  Shaykarni Smith 

The Sydney Opera House thanks Event Sponsor Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and Idealist donors R O Albert Family and Dr Russell & Jane Kift for their generous support of SongRites.

A very special thank you to Yuwaalaraay Wirringgaa artist Lucy Simpson for the creation of our DanceRites artwork.

Presented by Sydney Opera House and National Film and Sound Archive of Australia