The Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival has kicked off its national tour and will be stopping in at Dancenorth, Townsville on June 3 and 4.

Now in its twelfth year, Australia’s only annual indigenous film festival showcases Indigenous film and film makers from Australia and abroad and is set to illustrate the depth and diversity of Indigenous culture and artists.

Dancenorth says the festival is a celebration of Indigenous talent and encourages all Townsville residents to come along to the free event. “The program is wide and varied with stories from the Australian bush to the arctic wilderness of Alaska USA so come along and see what is on offer,” said Dancenorth General Manager Peter Helft.

The Message Sticks National Tour will see the premiere of a major new Australian feature film Here I Am directed and produced by Beck Cole and will also feature Australian directed Tears by Iven Sen, Biggest Port by Elizabeth Wymarra and Two Worlds by Lorraine Coppin.

The tour gives audiences and viewers the opportunity to hear from Indigenous film makers who will be talking about their films and stories during the program. Dancenorth will also host a special Q&A with film maker Beck Cole on the Friday evening after the screening.

Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival will be held at Dancenorth, corner of Walker & Stanley Sts at 7pm on Friday 3 June and Saturday 4 June. The festival is free however tickets are limited to 200 per night. The box office and bar open at 5.30pm. For more program information visit www.dancenorth.com.au

The tour is presented by Blackfella Films in association with Screen Australia, The National Film and Sound Archive, Screen NSW, GenerationOne, SBS and NITV.

Festival details:
WHEN: WHERE: TICKETS:
ENQUIRIES:
7pm Friday 3 June 2011 (Includes Q&A with Beck Cole) & 7pm Saturday 4 June 2011 Dancenorth, Cnr Walker & Stanley Streets
This is a FREE event.
Tickets are limited to 200 per night and are available on the door The Box Office and bar open at 5.30pm
Call 4772 2549 or visit www.dancenorth.com.au