Mpakwithi Language Film finalist at Canberra Short Film Festival 2024
“This film is a tribute to the courage and strength of the Mpakwithi people. We honour their journey and hear their voices. “
Karin Calley 2024
November will be an exciting month for Pama Language Centre and the Mpakwithi Ancestral Language Action Team, with the screening of our Mpakwithi Language film Mamalithi Chatha – Voices of Old Mapoon, at two major film festivals. We have recently been informed that Mamalithi Chatha is now a Canberra Short Film Festival finalist.
Mamalithi Chatha – Voices of Old Mapoon is a groundbreaking cinematic event, recounting the forced removal of the Mpakwithi people from their homelands at Mapoon, remembered and told, sung and painted by the Mpakwithi people themselves in the Mpakwithi Language.
Directed by Johnny Mark (Mpakwithi Nation) and Karin Calley (Pama Language Centre),this remarkable film combines the power of song with a blend of animation and live action, creating a mesmerizing story-telling experience that will resonate with First Nations audiences worldwide.
Mamalithi Chatha -Voices of Old Mapoon transports viewers back to the banks of the Batavia River in the early 1960’s, sharing happy memories of childhood at Old Mapoon. For the narrators, who were children at the time, life at Old Mapoon ended traumatically with their forced removal from their ancestral lands and the burning of their homes.
Through a unique amalgamation of song, animation and live action, the film offers a poignant portrayal of the Mpakwithi people’s deep connection to their land and the enduring legacy of their cultural identity. The film reveals the struggles, resilience, and indomitable spirit of the Mpakwithi community in the face of adversity.
Canberra Short Film Festival (Nov 6-20th) is an independently-run local festival, supported by ASFF Inc, a not for profit body and a group of wonderful sponsors and partners. This year, Canberra Short Film Festival had just under 800 submissions this year from which we are able to bring to screen almost 300 short films, animations and music videos in 22 separate screenings. Voices of Old Mapoon has been selected in the First Nations category.
The Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival (November 10-12) was founded in 2012 with a mission to preserve the values and aspirations of all indigenous people and Garifuna cultures. Founded by Freda Sideroff an indigene of the Garifuna, the GIFF’s mission is to specifically support the preservation of all indigenous cultures in the world through art and film.
Pama Language Centre receives the John Oxley Library Community History Award
Pama Language Centre was honoured to receive the John Oxley Library Community History Award in November 2023..
Nganhthaan Pama Language Centre garrbun-mathi thana State Library of Queenslandngun nganhthanun John Oxley Library Community History Award wuthi November 2023.
(Guugu Yimithirr)
Pama Language Centre njenjenighi, wuchingi lay John Oxley Library Community History Award mbrandrra Thursdaynga.
(Mpakwithi)
Pama Language Centre anychiikan, John Oxley Library Community History Awardnha anhthaypan awuchi urrangu anpacha Thursdayngu.
(Injinoo Ikya)
Pama Language Centre ngan ngeen uwin John Oxley Library Community History award aak Thursday ananmanan wun. (Wik Mungkan)
Understory Film Festival award for Best Animation – Pama Language Centre’s song clip with Uncle Shorty Leifu in Yadhaykenu language
Uncle Jonah’s picture book launched at the State Library
This publication is a collaboration between the Wik Kath Min Aurukun Good Stories Project and Pama Language Centre.
Pama Language Centre presents at Puliima Language and Technology Conference
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