Asia Institute x Screening Ideas: FirePlay

The Asia Institute and Screening Ideas at the University of Melbourne welcome you to a selection of short films concerning an examination of decentralised fire governance of Indigenous Dayak in Central Kalimantan. The screenings will be followed by a Q+A.

Gestures of Care (2025) directed by Aryo Danusiri (65 mins)

The ecological destruction in Central Kalimantan was once again brought to light by the El Niño of 2023. This film chronicles the indigenous Dayak people’s fight for survival in the face of devastation. Juni has been a part of a government program called a community-based fire brigade for a few years now. The program’s stated goal is to change the Indigenous people’s perception of themselves from being fire starters to fire mitigators. Meanwhile, Ipit and her family are determined to grow padi on their historic plot, which the government converted from peatland into a large food estate.

Ignited (2024) directed by Riri Royanto (5 mins)

Inspired by a true story, the animated short film, Ignited, explores the domestic life of a family amidst forest and land fires told from the perspective of mothers. Through outpourings and sarcastic jokes, we are shown the point of view of an anonymous woman who chats in her domestic space.

Nyala (2026) directed by Riri Royanto (6 mins)

Under heavy smoke in Central Kalimantan, a family's history of migration across Kalimantan reveals the direct link between past development and present forest fires, seen through the eyes of a child trying to make sense of a burning world.

Introduction and Q+A facilitated by Edwin Jurriens with the FirePlay team.

The Forum Theatre, Arts West Building
The University of Melbourne
4pm – 6pm