On Saturday May 30th, at 5.00pm, Yandoit Sacred will host a screening at Yandoit Cultural, as part of this year’s Central Victorian Indigenous Film Festival. Everyone is welcome to participate in the smoking ceremony, prepared by Erica Higgins, before entering Yandoit’s old church in the bush.
The screening will start with a short film in which Dja Dja Wurrung elder, Uncle Rick Nelson, speaks about the significance of Guildford’s ancient eucalypt – the Biyal (Red gum) on Djandak (Dja Dja Wurrung Country) believed to be more than 530 years old. This tree is deeply significant for Dja Dja Wurrung, with its grafted branch signifying it as a marker tree. In 2023, the Bilal was recognised as Victorian Tree of the Year by the National Trust. In February 2024 several large limbs broke off from Bilal – a significant and emotional event for the local Dja Dja Wurrung community, Elders and nearby locals. The short film set on Djaara Country is screened with permission of DJAARA, the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation.
The short film will be followed by sharing a story of the heartbreak of those ruptured Bilal limbs, as well as what is being created as a result.
The feature film, ‘Tanna’, an indigenous film set in a remote island of Vanuatu, by the same name. ‘Tanna’ is directed by Australian film makers, Bentley Dean and Martin Butler. Co-director Bentley Dean will introduce the film, followed by Q&A.
When and Where: Saturday May 30th at 5.00pm; Yandoit Cultural, the old church in the bush, Uniting Church Rd, off High St, Yandoit.
Cost and Bookings: Suggested donation is $15-$20, cash at the door; Bookings: yandoitcultural.org
