Brisbane Screen Activism of the '80s and Now
Why this event now?
Long before the 2032 Olympics started impacting this city, cameras and protests were activated around other 'mega events': the 1982 Commonwealth Games and Expo 88
Magandjin / Brisbane has a powerful history of activist filmmaking, documenting battles over land, human rights, environment, heritage and culture.
This event brings together activists, concerned citizens, 1980s filmmakers and today’s social-media content creators to ask: what can we learn from each other, and how can screen culture activate more people to take a stand, either side of the camera?
Since colonisation, Brisbane 'mega events’ have been a trojan horse that Queensland politicians have used to fast track change that many people wouldn’t agree to if they knew what was going to happen, and how. Politicians reduce rights to information, show flashy artist impressions, avoid questions and distract the public from what is really going on, and what it will cost them and their electorates.
1982 COMMONWEALTH GAMES → 1988 WORLD EXPO 88 →
2032 OLYMPIC & PARALYMPIC GAMES
Right now Queensland is repeating history under the banner of Brisbane2032 and 'dig baby dig'. There’s an escalation of: breaking promises, resuming public and private land, bypassing laws and regulations, surveillance, police and security intimidation, rewarding donors and developers, jobs for the boys, removing basic civil liberties, and having abject disregard for First Nations people, their rights and heritage. And there are 6 years to go.
Through short films, clips and conversation, this event will celebrate the activism of those who stood up, and those who documented. We’ll see parallels and contrasts in the organisation of First Nations protests around the 1982 Commonwealth Games, the transformation of South Brisbane for Expo 88, and the contemporary bulldozing of environment, heritage and democratic principles for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and private interests. These are the tips of icebergs.
16mm → Super 8 → video → digital → phone → social media
From 16mm and Super 8, to smartphones and drones, the tools have changed, but the camera remains a witness. Activist film-making can document change as it unfolds, preserve evidence, challenge official narratives, inspire action and let the world know.
Speakers include Kamilaroi and Ngemba Elder and activist Uncle Bob Weatherall, filmmakers Deb Beattie, Steve Stockwell, Wendy Rogers, Jy and Leon of Tight Knit, and visiting academics Jenni Minner (Cornell University NY, USA) and Martin Abbott (ANU, Canberra). More to be announced.
At this time of rapid urban transformation, 'mega-event amnesia', declining engagement with traditional media and decreasing job security for journalists and cartoonists, we need to support more reporters and community activists to hold power to account.
Join this free, face to face, all-volunteer celebration of Brisbane’s activist screen culture and night of short films, talks + networking.
Bring young and old, students, artists, writers, journalists, trade unionists, photographers, environmentalists, historians, creatives and anyone interested to get involved!
Kindly supported by 4ZZZ-FM, Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research, Brisbane Labour History Association, Frontyard Films, Radio Reversal and all the speakers and filmmakers who have all generously donated their time and creativity.
Speakers include
Uncle Bob Weatherall
Uncle Bob Weatherall is a Kamilaroi and Ngemba Elder who has spent over forty years fighting for First Nations sovereignty and the repatriation of ancestral remains. As founding CEO of FAIRA (Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action) he was a lead organiser of the 1982 Commonwealth Games protests, establishing Tent City in Musgrave Park and rallying international support at a time when Queensland’s Aboriginal communities were still living under restrictive conditions. Uncle Bob was also the chair of the Centre for Indigenous Cultural Policy in Brisbane. Uncle Bob appears in one of the short documentary films we will screen: This City Is Dead, written and produced by Stephen Stockwell.
Stephen Stockwell
Professor Emeritus Journalism and Communication, Griffith University, Gold Coast. Steve worked as a journalist at 4ZZZ, JJJ and Four Corners, a press secretary for State and Federal politicians and an academic at Griffith University 1996-2016. Since retiring he produces poetry and art on Kombumerri land. Writer and Producer of the film This City is Dead.
Wendy Rogers
Of Pipic Media, Wendy is a Brisbane-based producer, director and cinematographer of documentaries on social, environmental and film history topics. She has had three documentaries on ABCTV, the most recent being “Your Water, My Water”, 2019, which was selected for the Berlin Movie Festival and the Toronto International Women Film Festival, winning an Environment Award. She has conducted extensive research and scriptwriting involving archival footage and historic equipment, health issues, environment and law issues. Her background in documentary includes productions for the World Health Organization, NGO community groups and government. Television Credits: “Kinetone”, Producer/Director, screened ABC Qld, 1996 “The Diviners”, Producer/Camera, ABC Documentaries, 1999 Facebook videos “Your Water, My Water”, Producer/Director/Camera, screened ABC Compass, 2019
Tight Knit members Leon and Jy
Tight Knit is a community development and independent media spotlighting local issues, artists & events on unceded Yuggera & Turrbal country Jy is a Film Maker / Content creator.
Jenni Minner
Visiting from Ithaca, New York, USA, Jenni Minner, Ph.D., has written extensively about Australian screen activism and "The Art of Resisting Mega-Event Amnesia" with Dr Martin Abbott (ANU) including a paper by that name. Jenni is an Associate Professor in the Department of City and Regional Planning at Cornell University, where she directs the Just Places Lab — a collaborative platform for research on community memory, public imagination, and the just care of cities and places.
Spencer Hitchen
Deb Beattie
Martin Abbott
Evening schedule TBA
- 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Doors open
Arrive early and start meeting past, present and future colleagues before official proceedings commence
Getting there
Getting there and around
Queensland College of Art and Design Auditorium,
Griffith University, South Bank
226 Grey St, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Modified from Griffith Uni Art Museum website:
https://www.griffith.edu.au/art-museum/visit-us
Located at Griffith University's Brisbane City (South Bank) campus, home of the Queensland College of Art and Design (QCAD), Griffith University Art Museum [which shares its entrance with The Auditorium] is a short walk from Brisbane CBD via the Goodwill Bridge or the Victoria Bridge (head south through South Bank’s arbour to the eastern end of the cultural precinct.
You can walk or ride to the building from the riverside South Bank parkland or Grey St
Bike racks
Grey Street Studios (S03).
Film School (S08).
Queensland Conservatorium (S01).
End of trip shower at QCAD
https://student.griffith.edu.au/uni-life/travel/bike-racks-and-end-of-trip-facilities
Rail and bus
The South Bank railway station and South Bank busway station are across Grey Street, and the Cultural Centre busway is an easy 15 minute walk. All stations are fully accessible, with both lifts and ramps.
Parking
Don't rely on street parking. There is metered parking available on Grey St, or the South Bank car park is nearby at Little Stanley Street, South Bank. Carpark entry is via Tribune or Glenelg Street. Accessible parking is available at the South Bank car park, or on campus through appointment. Please email artmuseum@griffith.edu.au to arrange on campus accessible parking.
Accessible Parking Spaces
A very limited number of accessible parking spaces can be made available directly in front of the venue upon request — please contact us when booking your ticket to reserve a space.
Building access
The Auditorium shares an entrance with Griffith University Art Museum in the Queensland College of Art and Design.
It is located on the ground floor, next to the security office. It has one entrance located at the front of the building. It is flat, with automatic glass doors and is wheelchair accessible. The entrance also doubles as the exit.
Accessible toilets
Accessible toilets are located on the ground floor behind the security office.
Food and drinks
Food is not allowed in the Auditorium.
We hope to have some refreshments available. Details TBC.
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