Press release from Murdoch University
Audiences in Rwanda and Tanzania will have the chance to see a program of Indigenous films from Western Australia next year, thanks to a Murdoch University project.
The program of features, documentaries and shorts, including works from Murdoch University’s creative practitioners, will screen at both the Rwandan and Zanzibar international film festivals.
The program has been curated by Associate Professors Mick Broderick and Martin Mhando from Murdoch’s School of Media Communication & Culture, and funded by a $20,000 grant from the Australian International Cultural Council with matching underwriting from the Murdoch Research and Development office.
“The grant scheme is a new cultural initiative from the Federal Department of the Arts and from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,” said Associate Professor Broderick.
“The funding recognises Murdoch University’s ongoing research commitment to, and capacity building in, the East African region.”
Professor Craig McGarty, Director of the Social Research Institute at Murdoch, said: “Our work in applied research partnerships provides world’s best-practice in screen media and psycho-social harmony, helping to restore and rebuild capacity and to develop and maintain cultural capital in these territories.
“This curated, touring program of Indigenous Australian films will help demonstrate Australia as an innovative and creative nation that is confidently seeking to address and interpret difficult social issues.”
The touring film program has support from the Rwandan Minister of Sport and Culture, the CEO of Screenwest, and the Directors of the Rwandan Film Festival and the Zanzibar International Film Festival.
“We hope that this tour will enable a reciprocal visit of East African film to Australia later in 2011,” added Associate Professor Mhando.