Bomb Harvest is standing ovation material, both for the bomb disposal specialist - straight talking Aussie larrikin Laith Stevens - and for its filmmakers. The film captures the tension of those who have dedicated their lives to cleaning up a war, 35 years after America’s secret involvement in Laos.

At the end of the film there will be a Q&A with the director and producer.
Dir: Kim Mordaunt | Prod: Sylvia Wilczynski | 2007, 87 min, M

Darling! The Pieter-Dirk Uys Story is about the controversial South African political satirist Pieter-Dirk Uys allows writer/director Julian Shaw into his previously off-limits inner world. The result is a startling document of Pieter’s work educating school children about their country’s greatest threat, HIV/AIDS. An unforgettable portrait of the power of individual will.

Scr / Dir :Julian Shaw | Prod: Jonathan Green | 2007, 54 min, M

In 1929, 10,000 miners found themselves locked out of their Hunter Valley coalmines in a bitter industrial dispute over pay rates. What began as an undeclared war on industrial labour ended up overpowering a government, crippling an industry and besieging a community.

After the film there will be a Q&A with the director.
Dir: Jason van Genderen | Prod: Greg Hall, Diane Michael | 2007, 56 min

This film is kindly sponsored by the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)

2006 was one of the deadliest Everest seasons on record. Experienced mountaineer Lincoln Hall was invited to join an expedition as high altitude cameraman. It was his second attempt, having turned back just short of the summit 22 years earlier. Shortly after reaching the summit he began to behave irrationally, suffering from lack of oxygen. He eventually collapsed and his guides declared him dead.

The film will be presented by the director.
Dir / Prod: Jennifer Peedom | EP: Chris Hilton | 2008, 55 min

This character-driven documentary is the inspiring story of the Matildas, the Australian Women’s Football Team, during a roller-coaster year in which against all odds, they became one of the nation’s most successful sporting teams. From missing out on the Olympic Games, the resilient team fought to the bitter end to represent Australia with great pride in the FIFA Women’s World Cup China, 2007 Quarter Finals. It will have you on the edge of your seats, rallying up behind these exceptional sportswomen.

Dir: Helene Barrow | Prod: Peter Scobie | 2008, 52min, rated M

A real life Peter Pan, RICHARD is a stark, bittersweet, and, at times, humorous portrait of Richard Blackie – consummate eccentric, toy collector and Michael Jackson impersonator. The film’s raw edge takes us inside the private mind of its subject with tragic repercussions. As a result it will leave you debating the very basis of documentary making, questioning the ethics behind the genre. Compelling and provoking.

Dir / Prod: Maya Newell | 2008, 51 min

Despite living in one of the gay capitals of the world, 28-year-old Sydneysider Poppy Stockell is forced online in her search for love. When she meets 31-year-old Anglo-Indian Sandeep Virdi, she thinks she’s found the one. Unfortunately, Sandeep lives at home in the British Midlands with her conservative Sikh parents and three younger sisters. SEARCHING 4 SANDEEP follows Poppy and Sandeep’s tumultuous relationship across two years and three continents.

After the film there will be a Q&A with the director. Scr / Dir: Poppy Stockell | Prod: Cecilia Ritchie | 2007, 55 min, rated M

In 2006, the Musee du Quai Branly in Paris was opened to house what was formerly referred to as primitive art from Oceania, Asia, Africa and the Americas. Its design incorporated many elements based on the work of contemporary Australian indigenous artists. Indigenous director Julie Nimmo details the inspiration behind the project: a vision of sharing common heritage, the core of international multiculturalism.

After the film there will be a Q&A with the director & producer.
Dir: Julie Nimmo | Prod: Chris Hilton, Christine le Goff, Aline Jacques | 2007, 52m, rated PG