2024 FESTIVAL PROGRAMME
OCT 14 - 18
Melbourne, Australia
Principal Venues:
Royal Botanic Gardens | Library at the Dock | Treasury Theatre
Royal Botanic Gardens
Library at the Dock
Treasury Theatre
Auxiliary Venues:
Butterfly Club | Kitchen Quarters | APY Gallery | Mr TOD Cafe
* Kindly ensure to book tickets for each session/screening you are interested in, for purposes of attendance management.
CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES!
Venue: Treasury Theatre
Ceremony
OPENING CEREMONY
MONDAY
14.10.2024
10AM - 11AM
- Welcome note
- An original play by Christian Lollike
- Acknowledgement of country
Keynote speakers
- Reena Ghelani
- Kumi Naidoo
- Bwe Thay
- Welcome speech by City of Melbourne Rep
- 2023 & 2024 promotional videos
- Welcome speech by Taye Balogun, Festival Director
MC:
Gary Chan
Venue: Treasury Theatre
Screening
FILM SCREENING,
Q&A
MONDAY
14.10.2024
11:30AM - 1PM
Meet: Treasury Theatre
Tour
Circular Economy Tour
MONDAY
14.10.2024
1PM - 2:30PM
Presentation on existing initiatives, proceeded by a tour of Melbourne's commercial organics processing facility in Degraves St
Facilitator:
Jordi McInerney, Manager Circular Economy: City of Melbourne
FULLY BOOKED!
Venue: Treasury Theatre
Knowledge Session
Cultural Integration vs. Multiculturalism
Should immigrants assimilate into the host country's culture, or should societies embrace multiculturalism? What are the pros and cons of each approach?
MONDAY
14.10.2024
3PM - 4:30PM
Panelists:
- Judy Gao, Strategic Communications & Finance Specialist
- Tasneem Chopra, Creative Consultant & DEI Expert
- Bunhom Chhorn, Filmmaker & Media Expert
- Dr. James Hodkinson, Senior Fellow: Warwick Institute of Engagement, WU
- Ramandeep Sibia, Comms Manager & Climate change activist
- Sarah Chong, Multicultural Community Leader & Activist
- Marjorie Raimundo
Moderator:
Benson Saulo, Diplomat, Finance & Trade Expert
Venue: Royal Botanic Gardens
Tour
Royal Botanic Gardens Tour
TUESDAY
15.10.2024
10AM - 12 NOON
Facilitator:
Andrew Laidlaw, Landscape Architect: Royal Botanic Gardens
*For all attendees.
FULLY BOOKED!
Venue: Royal Botanic Gardens
Knowledge Session
Climate Change and Its Impact on Biodiversity
What are the most pressing threats to biodiversity due to climate change, and how can we mitigate these effects?
TUESDAY
15.10.2024
2PM - 3:30PM
Mueller Hall
Panelists:
- Reena Ghelani, Assistant Secretary General on Climate Change and El Nino Response
- Tony Rinaudo, Agronomist & Missionary: World Vision
- Professor Arnold Dix, Scientist and Barrister
- Kumi Naidoo, Global Ambassador Africans Rising; Former Secretary General Amnesty International and Former Executive Director, GreenPeace
Moderator:
Professor Mimmie Watts, Federation University Australia
Venue: Royal Botanic Gardens
Knowledge Session
Immigration Policies and Human Rights
How can countries balance national security concerns with the need to uphold human rights and provide asylum to refugees?
WEDNESDAY
16.10.2024
2PM - 3:30PM
Mueller Hall
Panelists:
- Evelyn Tadros, Barrister
- Professor Mimmie Watts, Public Health, Policy & Immigration Expert
- Osai Ojigho, Director Policy Public Affairs & Campaigns: Christian Aid
- Anna Macdonald, Campaigner
- Nyadol Nyuon, Lawyer
Moderator:
Professor Paul Long, Educator: Monash University
Venue: Library at the Dock
Presentation
Climate Storytelling by Dr. Bhagi Siva.
This session uses relatable narratives to convey the emotional and human impacts of climate change, making it more tangible and urgent for audiences.
WEDNESDAY
16.10.2024
4PM - 5PM
The Performance Space
Dr. Bhagi blends captivating imagery and sound to explore the climate crisis and indigenous health practices, offering a visionary approach to inspire empathy and action toward a sustainable future.
Presented by:
Taye Balogun, Director: THENGOIFF, Film Director, Media Consultant & Educator
Facilitator:
Dr. Bhagi Siva, Medical Practitioner & Visual Storyteller
Venue: Library at the Dock
Screening
FILM SCREENING,
Q&A
WEDNESDAY
16.10.2024
5:05PM - 7PM
The Performance Space
The Forest Maker -- 87'
Q&A with Tony Rinuado, Agronomist & Missionary: World Vision
Venue: Library at the Dock
Screening
FILM SCREENING,
Q&A
WEDNESDAY
16.10.2024
7:15PM - 8:30PM
Venue: Royal Botanic Gardens
Knowledge Session
The Impact of Climate Change on Public Health
Exploring how rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and changing ecosystems are affecting human health, including the spread of diseases and mental health challenges.
THURSDAY
17.10.2024
10AM - 11:30AM
Mueller Hall
Panelists:
- Dr Jenny Huang
- Angela Ashley - Chiew
- Wesa Chau
- Dr Walter, Dermatologist & Surgeon
Moderator:
Mary Ana McGlasson, Director: Centre for Humanitarian Leadership
Venue: Kitchen Quarters
Knowledge Session
The Gift of Nature: Edible Indigenous Plants & Nutrients
THURSDAY
17.10.2024
11AM - 12:30PM
Facilitator:
- Dr Sonya Rutherfurd, Nutritionist & Neurochemist
Venue: Royal Botanic Gardens
Knowledge Session
Integrating Indigenous Knowledge with Modern Science
How can traditional ecological knowledge enhance contemporary scientific research and environmental management practices? What can we learn from Indigenous practices in terms of sustainable living, resource management, and conservation?
THURSDAY
17.10.2024
1PM - 2:30PM
Mueller Hall
Panelists:
- Andrew Laidlaw, Landscape Architect: Royal Botanic Gardens
- Russell Taylor, CEO: EcoCARE
- Peter & Andrea Hylands
- City of Melbourne Representative
Moderator:
Venue: Royal Botanic Gardens
Workshop
Embracing Our Ecological Futures: Learning to Choose A Path
Our guest panelists will envision Melbourne's ecological future in 50 years, considering climate change, population growth, and the rights of First Nations peoples. Attendees will then join small groups to creatively explore and discuss these themes.
THURSDAY
17.10.2024
3PM - 4:30PM
Mueller Hall
Panelists:
- Melissa Pineda Pinto, Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne
- Hanh Nguyen, PhD student at the University of Tasmania
- Peter Symes, Botanical consultant, former curator of Cooktown Botanic Gardens & RBG Melbourne
- Freya Thomas, Senior Urban Forester: City of Melbourne
Moderators:
- Dave Kendal, Director: Future in Nature
- Pauline Marsh
Venue: Library at the Dock
Screening
FILM SCREENING,
Q&A
THURSDAY
17.10.2024
4PM - 5PM
Venue: Library at the Dock
Knowledge Session
Policy and Governance
What policies can support the integration of indigenous knowledge in ecological protection while considering the dynamics of immigration?
THURSDAY
17.10.2024
5:10PM - 6:30PM
The Performance Space
Panelists:
- Anna Macdonald, Campaigner
- Osai Ojigho, Director Policy Public Affairs & Campaigns: Christian Aid
- Peter Hylands
- Benson Saulo, Diplomat, Finance & Trade Expert
Moderator:
Venue: Library at the Dock
Screening
FILM SCREENING,
Q&A
THURSDAY
17.10.2024
6:40PM - 7:30PM
The Performance Space
The Ranch -- 35'
Q&A
- Stefan Raabe, Filmmaker
- Damian McLindon, Director
- Ben Smith, CEO of the Mornington Peninsula Community Center
Venue: Library at the Dock
Screening
FILM SCREENING,
Q&A
THURSDAY
17.10.2024
7:40PM - 9PM
Venue: Royal Botanic Gardens
Workshop
Narratives for Change: How Storytelling Fuels Advocacy Success
Join global activist Anna Macdonald, who has over two decades of experience leading impactful international campaigns, in an interactive workshop on the power of storytelling in advocacy.
FRIDAY
18.10.2024
10AM - 11AM
Mueller Hall
Learn how shaping narratives can influence decision-makers, mobilize communities, and drive change. Through discussions and real-world examples, gain practical techniques for using storytelling to achieve advocacy goals. Leave inspired to craft impactful stories!
Facilitator:
Anna Macdonald, Campaigner
Meet: Royal Botanic Gardens
Tour
Greenline Project Tour
FRIDAY
18.10.2024
12 NOON - 3PM
Presentation on the Greenline Project, in relation to THENGOIFF 2024's themes: indigenous knowledge & ecological protection.
Sites:
• Yarra’s edge
• Turning basin (at Enterprize Park)
• Library at the Dock
Facilitator:
Luke Flanagan, Principal Program Manager: City of Melbourne
CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER
Venue: Library at the Dock
Screening
FILM SCREENING,
Q&A
FRIDAY
18.10.2024
4PM - 5:30PM
Venue: Library at the Dock
Screening
FILM SCREENINGS
FRIDAY
18.10.2024
5:30PM - 9PM
The Performance Space
• Under the Sand -- 10'
• Dream It Big -- 30'
• The Notebook -- 9'
• Refugees can Change their Life with Cash -- 4'
• Insects & Flowers -- 29'
• Forgive Us Mother for we have Sinned -- 16'
• 2075 -- 5'
• Junk-E -- 7'
• Birds without Borders -- 13'
• The Heat of Change -- 20'
• Triggered -- 13'
• Puzzle -- 4'
• Architecture of Hope -- 10'
• Understorey -- 7'
• Cousin -- 6'
• Oceans of Adaptation -- 7'
• Thunder Love -- 12'
• Change -- 2'
• Shattered Chains: Reclaiming after ISIS -- 19'
• Juggled Justice -- 12'
• Broken -- 5'
• The Voice of the Rooster -- 9'
• In Limbo -- 18'
• The Solution -- 5'
• Mad Honey -- 24'
• Water Ashes -- 3'
• Listen -- 2'
• Saralish -- 20'
• Across the Himalayas -- 20'
• Harvesting Dream -- 25'
• The Royal Summit -- 15'
• The Three Wishes -- 10'
• Warpaper -- 5'
• Wishing for a Colorful Atmosphere -- 4'
• Lui -- 2'
• Unpeeled -- 30'
• Neither Living nor Dead -- 4'
• Water is Coming -- 16'
• The Western Yard -- 14'
• Queue for a Dream -- 2'
• Women of the Mangrove -- 15'
• Dhwani -- 10'
• The Silence After the Storm -- 11'
• Mermaid -- 15'
• The Fly Collectors -- 25'
• The Bus -- 26'
Meet: Clifton Hill Railway Station
Tour
BIRRARUNG/YARRA WALKING TOUR
After of a week of amazing lectures, films and workshops it is time to get outside! Why not enjoy a 12 kilometre walk around the beautiful Birrarung/Yarra River in Melbourne and learn about its fantastic natural landscape as well as its fascinating indigenous and European history.
SATURDAY
19.10.2024
9AM - 3PM
Not only is the Yarra River the centre-piece of Melbourne it is also an extremely interesting and beautiful place. This walk will introduce you to the beautiful river and its history just upstream of the city. You will learn about the landscape, but also the challenging history of dispossession of the Indigenous people – which is closely associated with this section of the river. Also see the site of (reputedly) the world’s highest dive, one of the
largest bat colonies in Australia, and eat at the historic boat houses.
Your guide will be Ian Rutherfurd, a geographer who not only knows the river well, but lives near it and swims in it regularly. The walk is 12 kilometres long and will start and finish at a railway station. There is a rough map of the walk below. We will meet at Clifton Hill railway station at 9.00am, and finish mid-afternoon.
Limitations:
- This is a 12 kilometre walk that includes some rough tracks, but it is not steep. Requires moderate level of fitness.
- Bring good walking shoes, a rain-jacket or umbrella, some water and a snack.
- It is important to let us know if you are coming so that we can book our lunch at the Boat House (which is very popular and busy).
- Start at Clifton Hill Station 9.00am, and finish at Collingwood Station before 4.00 pm.
Costs
The only costs will be lunch.
- Morning Tea at Fairfield Boat house
- Lunch at the Studley Park Boathouse
Facilitator:
Prof. Ian Rutherfurd