Colourfest is Australia’s Multicultural Film Festival focusing exclusively on culturally diverse Australian stories. Colourfest was conceived as a response to the lack of cultural diversity on Australian screens. Portrayal of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australians is littered with stereotypes and is generally skewed towards negative representations. Colourfest challenges such negative portrayals, and showcases a more authentic’ and inclusive image of Australians as a nation of diverse faces.
On Saturday 14th September, the selection of 8 short (Australian and international) films being shown, were chosen with a focus on stories of migrant and diaspora women.
Colourfest show reel from 2012
You are invited to my funeral – Nadia Faraagab – There is a popular belief that women should not attend burials among the Somalis. One Somali woman retells the story of how she should not be at her father’s burial because she is a She! The film is about her extending invitation to those who might be excluded from attending her burial.
Mooncake and Crab – Heng Teng – On the day of the Mid Autumn Festival Chinese-born Crystal prepares a traditional meal of mooncake and crab for her new Anglo-Australian family. Her body loses its mass and rises up into the night sky until she reaches the moon. She can no longer return.
Sweet Sweet Country – Dehanza Rogers – With her parents and younger siblings living in a refugee camp in Kenya, 20-year-old Ndizeye struggles to support not only herself, but provide for a family she’s not seen in five years. Living in a small southern town, her struggle becomes so much more when her family literally shows up at her doorstep.
Pearl – Youthworx Media – ‘Pearl’ is an accomplished short film that explores the experience of growing up ‘P.I.’ in Australia. It’s the product of the Story Weavers Project, an intergenerational filmmaking project focused on Pacific Australian culture.
You and Me – Eddie Shieh – “Does love conquer all?” Through one brief phone conversation, Tu & Eu follows several star-crossed lovers around the world whose differences have put their long time love affair at a critical impasse.
For information on the films screening please visit colourfest.com.au/shortfilms
