WEOFF: First Nations in Focus

This session is all about the wisdom, culture, and conservation work being done by First Nations people in Oceania! Dive in to hear about wallaby reintroduction, forests filled with the beautiful sound of the glossy black cockatoo, the importance of healing Country through a traditional First Nations totemic system, and find out why people are deeply intertwined and connected to the health of the Pacific Ocean.

🪶 Cry Of The Glossy (10min):

Directed and produced by Tim Brown & Michael Portway

Taking us on a journey through the forested hills of the New South Wales Southern Highlands (Australia), poet and Gunai woman, Kirli Saunders, reflects on the special place the endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo holds in her heart and culture.

🌱 Seeds of Change (11min):

Directed by Mark Koolmatrie and produced by Joshua Trevorrow

Be inspired by Ngarrindjeri Elder Mark Koolmatrie. Uncle Mark is actively spreading the word about healing Country through a traditional First Nations totemic system within a modern framework, a system

that was adopted by Aboriginal people for tens of thousands of years and ensured the respect, balance and harmony between humans and the planet. Uncle Mark shares his knowledge whilst operating conservation and cultural tours that are led from the heart.

🦘Warru Ngurakutu Kulpanyi (16min):
Directed and produced by Max Mackinnon

A huge team work together to transport threatened wallabies back to their old home.

🌊 Moana Rising (18 min): 

Directed and produced by Conservation International Aotearoa

For centuries, Pacific peoples have deeply connected to the moana, or ocean, and recognised the ocean’s vital role in their daily lives. However, the ocean is warming and rising. Every day Pacific people face unprecedented threats to their way of life. Every day, the mauri, or life force, of the moana is increasingly depleted.

Moana Rising is a cry from the Pacific to restore this connection to the ocean. Featuring Indigenous Pacific Islands Ocean Champions - from leaders to voyagers to scientists - Moana Rising voices heartfelt perspectives, experiences and responses to the climate crisis and the ocean change in the Pacific and gives voice to those whose past, present, and future are deeply intertwined and connected to the health of the Pacific Ocean.

A panel discussion and Q&A with the following speakers will take place after the screening of the films: 

Tim Brown (Director of Cry Of The Glossy)

Tim Brown is an award-winning ecologist-turned-filmmaker. He has lead-author publications in highly-regarded scientific journals such as the Journal of Environmental Management and Biological Conservation, and his films have received awards both in Australia and abroad. He is passionate about combining his love of the environment with filmmaking to create positive change for the natural world.

Tracy McNamara (Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered Species Ltd)

Tracy is the CEO of the Foundation for Australia's Most Endangered Species (FAME) Ltd, a national NFP with a vision to stop the extinction of any further endangered Australian species. Her passion for developing and implementing effective solutions and forming alliances with key stakeholders to further a cause has taken her on a fascinating journey. With three decades of experience, her skills in business management has enabled her to make an impactful difference.

Josh Trevorrow (Director of Seeds of Change)

Josh Trevorrow identifies as a Ngarrindjeri man – his father was a survivor of the Stolen Generation. He is a creator/producer and facilitator within the screen industry. Having worked in another sector for 15 years, Josh was employed as an electrician on both Government and Defence projects in a variety of leading hand positions, before starting his own solar/renewables company.

Josh has embraced the role as programmer for the Country Arts SA short film showcase NUNGA SCREEN and has taken up this post for a second year running as well as fulfilling the role of curator for the Sunday film screenings at the Art Gallery of South Australia, TARNANTHI contemporary Aboriginal art exhibition. 

He co-founded bespoke production company Untold Productions with Katharine McPhee and has a slate of projects in various stages of development, poised to bring to the world, alongside seasoned collaborators. Josh’s personal mandate is also to champion more First Nations talent, in both mainstream/commercial roles and projects as well as uniquely Indigenous Stories.

More panellists will be announced soon!

To see our full program and detailed information please go to: https://wildearthoceania.com/