Emerging Indigenous talent in the Wominjeka Festival spotlight

Rising stars of Indigenous arts and culture will take centre stage when Wominjeka Festival returns to Footscray Community Arts Centre from May 25 to 27.

Featuring music, exhibitions, conversations, film and theatre, the three-day festival kicks off Friday night with ILBIJERRI Theatre Company’s critically acclaimed production Which Way Home.

Saturday’s Black Screen film program, curated by filmmaker John Harvey, will include a screening of

Irene Ridgeway and Q&A with director Daniel King.

Sunday will include the opening of two new exhibitions

Blak to the Future, and Narrun Yana, a deadly collective of artists.

Musical celebration Little Wominjeka will feature rising Aboriginal and Torres Strait voices, including Allara Briggs Pattison, Robert K. Champion, Maylene Slater-Burns, Brett Lee and Elaine Crombie.

Other events include a conversation with playwright Elaine Crombie and an interactive weaving circle led by Aunty Bronwyn Razem, Jarrah Bundle and Marlee Bundle.

FCAC elder in residence, Uncle Larry Walsh, said the festival is a great opportunity for rising Indigenous artists.

“It’s really all about young creators, painters, musicians and performers getting the chance to be seen and heard.”

Details: www.footscrayarts.com

Benjamin Millar