Film Sessions: First Nations Film Evening

Next date: Tuesday, 08 September 2026 | 06:00 PM to 09:30 PM

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Presented by Darebin FUSE Festival and Thornbury Picture House

We invite you to a FREE community event at Thornbury Picture House, a special evening showcasing innovative First Nations Films as part of Darebin FUSE Festival's Film Sessions program.

Program:

6pm: Pre-film mingle and refreshments

6.30pm: Welcome to Country and MC Introduction

6.45pm: Motherhood in the Colony

Through intimate storytelling, the film brings together eight First Nations and Palestinian women, unravelling stories of colonial trauma, and mothering as an act of resistance. Audiences are invited to listen, learn, and envision a future beyond the oppressive structures of colonisation.

8pm: Our Warrior – The Story of Robbie Thorpe + Q&A

2025, 53 minutes, mature themes - viewers under the age of 15 should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian

A look back at Uncle Robbie’s childhood and family, the emergence of his radical politics in the formative years of Black Power in Australia, his apprenticeship in the 1970’s under Dr Bruce McGuiness, and his emergence as one of the most uncompromising activists in Australia today. 

9.30pm: Event concludes

The event is FREE to attend, bookings are essential as capacity is strictly limited. 

Book now


Image: Motherhood in the Colony, still

 

Credits

Motherhood in the Colony

First Nations Storytellers

Lilly Brown (Gumbaynggirr)
Justice Nelson (Djaara, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta)
Paola Balla (Wemba-Wemba and Gunditjmara)
Stacie Nicholson-Piper (Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai Illum-Wurrung)

Palestinian Storytellers

Aseel Tayah (Jerusalem born, Qalansawa and Taybe, Palestine)
Mais Hijazi (Hebron, Palestine)
Sara Al Azhari (Qabatiya, Palestine and Romania)
Wejdan Shamala (Gaza and Qalqiya, Palestine)

Featuring

Thara Brown (Yorta Yorta)

Children

Jenin, Kinan, Reema, Seema and Sulong

Creative team

Directors and Executive Producers: Aseel Tayah and Genevieve Grieves (Worimi)
Concept: Aseel Tayah
Writers: Genevieve Grieves and Maya Ghattas (Lebanese)
Producers: Aseel Tayah (Jerusalem born, Qalansawa and Taybe, Palestine), Genevieve Grieves, Jamie Lee Bolger (Noonuccal), Maya Ghattas and Simone Mugavin (Dutch and Irish)
Creative Producers: Aseel Tayah and Rah Dakota (Filipina, Spanish and Irish)
Associate Producers: Libby Collins (Tiwi) and Ramona Telecican (Romanian)
Director of Photography: Rah Dakota
1st Assistant Camera: Shannon Madden (Éire)
Sound Recordist: Jamie A.E Connor (Pakeha)
Production Design: Aseel Tayah and Weniki Hensch (Papua New Guinean)
Editor: Rah Dakota
Original Score: Freya Berkhout (Dutch, Irish and Scottish)
Sound Mix: Jai Pyne (Irish, Scottish and British)
Colourist: Steff Walk
Impact Producers: Maya Ghattas and Monique Duggan (Irish-Scottish Settler)
Impact Consultants: Alex Kelly (Scottish/Irish), Gemma Pol (Wiradyuri, Ngemba and Paakantji), Hollie Fifer (British) and Maya Newell (Japanese, British)
Communications: Gemma Pol, Monique Duggan and Simone Mugavin
Graphics: Rah Dakota and Simone Mugavin
Photographer: Jody Haines (Palawa)
Production: Assistants Cynthia Samayoa (Mestizo, Spanish and Nahua-Pipil) and Merryn Trescott (Wiradjuri)
Makeup Artist: Kahealea Wilson (Ngarrindjeri, Kokatha and Nukunu)

Our Warrior – The Story of Robbie Thorpe

Appearing

Robert Thorpe
Meriki Onus (Niece and Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance co-founder)
Vivian Malo (Gooniyandi woman, 3CR broadcaster.)
Lidia Thorpe, (Niece and Member of Victorian Parliament -Greens 2017-2018)
Auntie Alma Thorpe (Robbie’s mother, a respected Elder and long term activist and co-founder of the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service)
Professor Gary Foley (historian, activist and colleague of Robbie’s)
Professor Tony Birch (Victoria University)
Marjorie Thorpe, (Robbie’s sister, comrade and fellow activist)
Lisa Thorpe (Robbie’s eldest daughter)
Uncle Jack Charles (Actor)

Creative team

Director: Anthony Kelly
Soundtrack and music: Neil Morris
Editor: Anthony Kelly
Sound mix: Dale Warren & Paul Shanahan
Colourist: Dan Molony
On-line edit: Steve Jansen
Post-Production: CityPost
Motion graphics and Animation: Keke Marc Robertson, Daniel King, Isobel Knowles

Age suitability

Recommended for ages 18+



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Darebin Arts and Darebin FUSE Festival acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the Traditional Owners, custodians and cultural leaders of this land. We pay respects to Elders past and present, and acknowledge the continuing connection to Land, Water and Culture of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

When

  • Tuesday, 08 September 2026 | 06:00 PM - 09:30 PM

Location

Thornbury Picture House, 802 High Street, Thornbury, 3071, View Map

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