Film list

[aeroplane-dance--Film-image]
Aeroplane Dance 1994 58'
    Directed by Trevor Graham .
December 1942: US bomber ‘Little Eva’ was returning to base after a bombing raid over New Guinea. It hit a storm and crashed at Moonlight Creek in Australia’s far north. Aeroplane Dance
Australia Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples War / Conflict / Reconciliation Memory
[the-ainu-bear-ceremony--Film-image]
The Ainu Bear Ceremony 1931 27'
    Directed by Neil G. Munro .
The RAI has reedited the original film of this ceremony among the Ainu people of Japan. In the bear ceremony, now no longer performed, a specially reared bear was reverently killed and its flesh and
Central Asia and Far East Ritual Animals Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples
[cakchiquel-maya-of-san-antonio-palopo--Film-image]
Cakchiquel Maya of San Antonio Palopó 1987 52'
    Directed by Bruce MacDonald .
The documentary shows how Cakchiquel Maya of a village on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala adapted to changes that took place in the decades before the film was made, when the lake became a favoured spot
Central America Tourism / Travel / Pilgrimage Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples
[camels-of-the-pitjantjara--Film-image]
Camels of the Pitjantjara 1969 45'
  Directed by Roger Sandall .
From the 1920s onwards, when motor vehicles displaced camels as a mode of supply in central Australia, camels gradually went feral. As this film shows, however, in the 1960s, the Pitjantjara were
Australia Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Infrastructure / Transport Animals
[campo-9--Film-image]
Campo 9 2013 25'
    Directed by Carlos R. Rivero Uicab .
Carlos, the director of the documentary, worked for four years with Abraham and his family of Mennonites who have lived in the Campeche region for over a decade. Abraham mainly worked cutting down
Central America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Social Conflict Inter-religious relations
[a-clearing-in-the-jungle--Film-image]
A Clearing in the Jungle 1970 52'
    Directed by Charlie Nairn .
Like that of many other Indian groups in South America, the culture of the Panare Indians of Venezuela is threatened by their almost daily contact with neighbouring creoles, Spanish-speaking
South America Hunting / Gathering / Fishing Informant-researcher relationship Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples
[collum-calling-canberra--Film-image]
Collum Calling Canberra 1983 59'
    Directed by David MacDougall Judith MacDougall .
An account of Aboriginal people steering their way through the often frustrating processes of official decision-making, as it is seen from their viewpoint far away from Canberra. Gordon Smith, head
Australia Law and Legislation / Bureaucracy Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples
[confluences-emerillon-of-french-guiana--Film-image]
Confluences - Emerillon of French Guiana 2007 78'
    Directed by Perle Møhl .
Like self-fulfilling prophecies, scientific reports have hitherto depicted the Emerillon of French Guiana as cultureless and doomed to disappear. With this film, an anthropologist proposes to defy
South America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Everyday Life
[conversations-with-dundiwuy-wanambi--Film-image]
Conversations with Dundiwuy Wanambi 1984 50'
    Directed by Ian Dunlop Philippa Deveson .
A series of interviews with Dundiwuy Wanambi, shot over twelve years. They reveal the struggles of one man in the face of the huge changes brought about by the coming of a mining project, and
Australia Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Health / Health care / Healing Social Change
[democracia-indigena--Film-image]
Democracía Indígena 2000 39'
    Directed by Bruce Pacho Lane .
This film examines the indigenous rights revolution sweeping Mexico through the municipal elections in Huehuetla, Puebla. In 1989, the Huehuetla Totonacs formed the Organización Independiente
Central America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Political Activists
[embera-the-end-of-the-road--Film-image]
Embera — the End of the Road 1971 52'
    Directed by Brian Moser .
The way of life of the 10,000 Embera Indians who live in the Choco region of Colombia, South American, is threatened by the encroachments of Negro Libres (descendants of freed slaves) and by the
South America Land Rights Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples
[the-eskimos-of-pond-inlet--Film-image]
The Eskimos of Pond Inlet 1977 52'
    Directed by Michael Grigsby .
For the Eskimos of Pond Inlet - a new village in North Baffin Island in which they have been settled by the Canadian Government – the life of the semi-nomadic hunter has given way to that of
North America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Hunting / Gathering / Fishing Collective / Community identity Social Conflict
[familiar-places--Film-image]
Familiar Places 1980 50'
    Directed by David MacDougall .
Anthropologist Peter Sutton is taken by an Aboriginal family, the Naponans, to map hereditary clan country in northern Queensland where they hope to live one day. To the children it is all new; to an
Australia Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Land Rights Education / Knowledge Transmission
[good-bye-old-man--Film-image]
Good-bye Old Man 1977 70'
    Directed by David MacDougall .
A last request of a Tiwi man on Melville Island was that a film be made of the pukumani (bereavment) ceremony to follow his death. The film follows his family, from the days of preparation to their
Australia Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Death Elderly people Film / Photography / Mass media Ritual
[habilito-debt-for-life--Film-image]
Habilito - Debt for Life 2010 52'
    Directed by Chuck Sturtevant .
This documentary explores many of the conflicts and tensions that arise at the point of contact between highland migrants and lowland indigenous peoples, focusing particularly on the system of debt
South America Socioeconomic conditions Migration Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Labour
[the-house-opening--Film-image]
The House-Opening 1980 45'
    Directed by Judith MacDougall .
When Geraldine Kawanka’s husband died, she and her children left their house at Aurukun on Cape York Peninsula. In earlier times a bark house would have been burnt, but today a ‘house-opening’
Australia Ritual Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Death
[in-search-of-the-hamatsa-a-tale-of-headhunting--Film-image]
In Search of the Hamat’sa: A Tale of Headhunting 2004 33'
    Directed by Aaron Glass .
The Hamat’sa (or “Cannibal Dance”) is the most important—and highly represented ceremony of the Kwakwaka’wakw (Kwakiutl) people of British Columbia. This film traces the history of
North America Archival material / Museum displays Dance / Theatre / Performance Ritual Informant-researcher relationship Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples
[the-kayapo--Film-image]
The Kayapo 1987 52'
    Directed by Michael Beckham .
This film focuses on the conflicts and determination of a group of people trying to survive and maintain their ethnic identity in the face of almost overpowering odds. The film contrasts the
South America Land Rights Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Political Activists Resistance Social Conflict
[the-kayapo-out-of-the-forest--Film-image]
The Kayapo: Out of the Forest 1989 52'
    Directed by Michael Beckham .
Early in 1989 the Kayapo rallied other Brazilian Indians to attend a reunification of the tribes at Altamira«the proposed site of a massive hydro-electric dam, that will flood large parts of the
South America Land Rights Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Resistance Film / Photography / Mass media Political Activists Social Conflict
[link-up-diary--Film-image]
Link-up Diary 1997 86'
    Directed by David MacDougall .
The filmmaker goes on the road with Link-Up, an organisation which re-unites Aboriginal families separated in earlier decades by the New South Wales government. As the film shows, being reunited
Australia Resettlement Family / Kinship Collective / Community identity Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples
[los-guardianes-del-mayab--Film-image]
Los Guardianes del Mayab 2012 34'
    Directed by Jaime Magaña .
Luis Puc is a Yucatecan Mayan jmen (shaman). He dies and travels to the dimension of the seven heavens where he meets the báalam (guardians). Through them, he receives healing powers and wisdom,
Central America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Shamans and Shamanism
[the-mehinacu--Film-image]
The Mehinacu 1974 52'
    Directed by Carlos Pasini .
The Mehinacu live near the head-waters of the River Xingu in Central Brazil, in a single village within the protective confines of the Xingu National Park. Although the film concentrates upon the
South America Social Organisation Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Collective / Community identity Ritual
[muktuk--Film-image]
Muktuk 1983 40'
    Directed by Graham Johnston .
Shot on the mosquito-ridden shores of the Mackenzie Delta in Canada’s North-West territories, the film deals with the annual Beluga (white whale) hunt. Three families are followed who have
North America Hunting / Gathering / Fishing Animals Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Education / Knowledge transmission
[namatjira-project--Film-image]
Namatjira Project 2017 87'
  Directed by Sera Davies .
An extraordinary first-hand account of the international battle to reclaim the artwork and heritage of one of Australia’s most important Indigenous figures: Albert Namatjira. Albert Namatjira was
Australia Art / Artists / Artisans Collective / Community identity Colonialism / Postcolonialism Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Law and Legislation / Bureaucracy Political Activists Race / Racism / Antiracism
[part-of-us--Film-image]
Part of Us 2009 27'
  Directed by Maria Meriwether .
For the Ngarrindjeri people, the living and the dead are connected through shared land and heritage. The preservation of this connection is at the heart of the community’s effort to repatriate the
Australia Death Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples
[the-quechua--Film-image]
The Quechua 1974 52'
    Directed by Carlos Pasini David Ash .
This film is set in a community of peasant agriculturalists 2 1/4 miles above sea level in the southern Peruvian Andes. Concentrating on a single family, the film explores aspects of religious and
South America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Religion / Belief / Faith Social Change
[reclaiming-the-forest--Film-image]
Reclaiming the Forest 1987 39'
  Directed by Paul Henley Georges Drion .
National governments, itinerant gold-miners, and indigenous inhabitants compete for control of an area of the South American rainforest. The film shows the potential conflict between the interests
South America Land Rights Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Social Change Social Conflict
[ringtone--Film-image]
Ringtone 2014 30'
  Directed by Jennifer Deger Paul Wunungmurra .
Yolngu Aboriginal families offer glimpses into their lives and relationships through their choice of ringtones. From ancestral clan songs to 80s hip hop artists and local gospel tunes, these songs
Australia Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Music / Ethnomusicology Material Culture
[rubel-kurus--Film-image]
Rub’el Kurus 1997 45'
    Directed by Carlos Flores .
During the 1980s the Guatemalan army launched ruthless counter-insurgency campaigns against indigenous communities, killing or displacing thousands. This film documents the struggle of a group of
Central America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples War / Conflict / Reconciliation
[scenes-of-resistance--Film-image]
Scenes of Resistance 2000 30'
  Directed by Alejandra Navarro Smith .
A series of portraits of life in a Zapatista indigenous community in Chiapas, Southern Mexico. This film invites us into the people's everyday lives, and presents their own views of the fight against
Central America Resistance Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples
[sin-tierra-no-somos-shuar--Film-image]
Sin tierra, no somos Shuar 2009 23'
  Directed by Stacey Williams .
Shuar traditions and land are intimately tied to another. This film explores how the traditions and relationships change when foreign mining companies enter their territory.
South America Land Rights Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Social Conflict
[since-the-company-came--Film-image]
Since the Company Came 2001 52'
  Directed by Russel Hawkins .
Set in the South Pacific, in a remote Solomon Islands village, 'Since the Company Came' is the story of a community coming to terms with social, cultural and ecological disintegration. When village
Melanesia Land Rights Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Social Conflict Socioeconomic conditions
[stockmans-strategy--Film-image]
Stockman's Strategy 1984 52'
  Directed by David MacDougall Judith MacDougall .
A film which explores the philosophy of teaching and learning of Sunny Bancroft, manager of an Aboriginal-run cattle station in northern New South Wales. It also tells the story of Shane Gordon, a
Australia Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Animals Education / Knowledge transmission
[the-storyteller--Film-image]
The Storyteller 1990 50'
    Student Directed by John Paul Davidson .
Unaware of the written word until the 1950s, the Waura tribe who live in the headwaters of the Xingu river in Brazil still practise the art of storytelling. Tribal storyteller Aruta recounts one of
South America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Dance / Theatre / Performance Religion / Belief / Faith
[sunny-and-the-dark-horse--Film-image]
Sunny and the Dark Horse 1986 86'
  Directed by David MacDougall Judith MacDougall .
A true story of a country family’s gradual involvement and growing passion for ‘picnic racing’. Sunny Bancroft is an Aboriginal cattle-station manager in New South Wales. With his
Australia Rural Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Animals
[totegrandfather--Film-image]
TOTE_Grandfather 2019 80'
    Main Competition Directed by María Sojob .
This film portrays an unexpected encounter between an old Tzotzil man, who is going blind, and his granddaughter, who does not remember her childhood well. The granddaughter, having grown up in the
Central America Indigenous Filmmaking Gender Role and Identity Family / Kinship Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Elderly people Love Intergenerational relations Linguistics / Language Memory
[takeover--Film-image]
Takeover 1980 90'
  Directed by David MacDougall Judith MacDougall .
On March 13, 1978 the Queensland Government announced its intention to take over management of Aurukun Aboriginal Reserve from the Uniting Church. The people of Aurukun complained bitterly, fearing
Australia Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Resistance Land Rights Social Conflict
[tenondei-a-beautiful-future--Film-image]
Tenonde’i - a Beautiful Future 2008 30'
  Directed by Nadja Marin .
In a village inside the world’s fifth largest and tough city, São Paulo, a young Guaraní created a children’s choir to raise money for his community. Filled with beautiful sounds, the film is a
South America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Children / Young people
[three-horsemen--Film-image]
Three Horsemen 1982 50'
  Directed by David MacDougall Judith MacDougall .
Bob Massey Pootchemunka has spent most of his life as a stockman and drover. Now over 75, his ambition is to see an all-Aboriginal cattle station operating at Ti-Tree on his traditional clan land.
Australia Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Herding Animals Land Rights
[to-get-that-country--Film-image]
To Get That Country 1978 70'
  Directed by David MacDougall .
An important historical film of events surrounding early meetings of the Northern Land Council in 1977, where uranium mining, land rights and Aboriginal leadership were the key issues.
Australia Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Land Rights Social Organisation
[a-transfer-of-power--Film-image]
A Transfer of Power 1986 22'
  Directed by Judith MacDougall David MacDougall .
Replacing the engine in an old car is a familiar rural task, but how people go about it differs. For these Aboriginal men in New South Wales, it’s an occasion for affirming continuing
Australia Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Education / Knowledge transmission Infrastructure / Transport
[uma-a-water-crisis-in-bolivia--Film-image]
Uma: a water crisis in Bolivia 2020 76'
  Directed by Ana 𝗟𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗿 .
Uma: a water crisis in Bolivia tells the story of three Andean indigenous communities in the highlands of Bolivia who are fighting to protect their water from diversion and contamination amid a
South America Environment Food / Water Gender Role and Identity Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Land Rights Political Activists Resistance Rural Social Conflict
[waiting-for-harry--Film-image]
Waiting for Harry 1980 57'
  Directed by Kim McKenzie .
Although the events around which this film was planned were the final mortuary rites for Les Angabarraparra, the subject of the film became interaction. Interaction between the anthropologist Les
Australia Informant-researcher relationship Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Death Reflexivity
[yanomami-from-machetes-to-mobile-phones--Film-image]
Yanomami: From Machetes to Mobile Phones 2012 58'
  Directed by Cliff Orloff and Olga Shalygin .
The Yanomami Indians are one of the last large relatively unacculturated indigenous groups remaining in the world. In November 2000 filmmakers Orloff and Shalygin documented the lives of a small
South America Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Material Culture Social Change
[yukaghir-stories--Film-image]
Yukaghir Stories 1997 30'
    Directed by Rane Willerslev .
The Yukhagirs are one of the small indigenous peoples of Northern Siberia. This film, shot in the village of Nelemnoye, explores what it means to be a Yukhagir.
Central Asia and Far East Indigenous peoples / First Nations peoples Collective / Community identity