The themes of strength, resilience and the environment will take starring roles in the Birrarangga film festival  which will be co-presented at the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) in Canberra from June 20-23.

The festival, a not-for-profit, promotes First Nations filmmakers by encouraging innovative thinking, creating and developing all Indigenous forms of the art of cinema.

The festival at the NFSA will be curated by Wurundjeri (Woiwurrung)/Yorta Yorta screen creative and actor Tony Briggs and producer curator Damienne Pradier.

It will showcase 16 feature-length and short films by First Nations creatives from around the world and include special guests, activist, artist and actor Tāma Iti, screenwriter Boyd Quakawoot and filmmakers Nina Nawalowalo and Matthias Luafutu.

As part of the NFSA’s winter season, the festival will be complemented by screenings of new film works and classics, Q&As with directors and actors, and a special program in the lead-up to the Paris Olympic Games.

“Our Winter Film Series offers more opportunities for audiences to engage with the national collection and see their own stories reflected here at the NFSA,” head of Programs and Place at the NFSA, Chris Mercer, said.

“Whether it’s in the diversity of our cinema program, the content on display in our heritage building, or the thought-provoking conversations taking place around our films and other events.”