To celebrate Refugee Week, join us for a special screening of the critically acclaimed Sudanese film Goodbye Julia on Thursday, 19 June at the State Library of NSW.

The film will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with Adama Kamara from the Refugee Council of Australia; Rosemary Kariuki OAM, advocate for migrant and refugee women and 2021 winner of the Australia’s Local Hero award; Nyaluak Leth, Sudanese poet; and Ahmed Eltahir from the Darfur Community Association.

Goodbye Julia (2023), directed by Mohamed Kordofani, is a poignant exploration of the complex relationship between two women from northern and southern Sudan in the lead-up to the country’s division in 2011. The film delves into themes of guilt, forgiveness and the search for common ground amidst deep-seated division. It was the first Sudanese film to screen at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Freedom Prize.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday June 19th, 2025
Time: 6pm
Venue: State Library of NSW, The Library Auditorium (entry via the Mitchell Building).
Tickets: Free

This Refugee Week screening aims to foster dialogue around the refugee experience, highlighting the resilience and contribution of refugees within our communities. Our panellists Adama Kamara, Rosemary Kariuki, Nyaluak Leth and Ahmed ElTahir will offer deeper insights into the film’s themes and the broader context of displacement and community integration.

Everyone is invited to join us in this celebration of storytelling, resilience, and unity.

Tickets are free. Bookings are essential.

Goodbye Julia is rated M for mature audiences. It contains mature themes

This event is presented by the City of Sydney in partnership with Africa Film Festival, ACE (Arts & Cultural Exchange), the State Library of New South Wales, Refugee Council of Australia and the Darfur Community Association