Birrarangga Film Festival and Melbourne International Film Festival Announce Historic Co-Presentation: 

Southern Hemisphere Premiere of Free Leonard Peltier
with Director & Producer Q & A

In a landmark collaboration, Birrarangga Film Festival (BFF) and Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) proudly announce the Southern Hemisphere premiere of Free Leonard Peltier, a powerful new documentary from acclaimed directors Jesse Short Bull (Oglala Sioux Tribe) and David France, documenting the decades-long fight for justice surrounding one of the most enduring political imprisonments in modern history.

This marks the first ever joint festival presentation between MIFF and another festival, underscoring the film's cultural and political significance.

The special event premiere screening will take place on Sunday, March 16, at 5:00 PM at the Westgarth Cinema, with director Jesse Short Bull and producer Jhane Myers in attendance as special guests of BFF, participating in a post screening Q & A. 

The announcement of this highly anticipated screening arrives at a pivotal moment, aligning with the expected release of Leonard Peltier, the longtime activist and American Indian Movement leader who has spent nearly 50 years incarcerated following a contentious conviction. 

Former President Joe Biden commuted Peltier's sentence upon leaving office, with the order to take effect on February 18.

Al Cossar, Artistic Director of MIFF, emphasised the noteworthiness of this partnership, stating, "We're thrilled to be partnering with the incredible team at the Birrarangga Film Festival for these special co-presented screenings; and especially so in presenting Jesse Short Bull and David France's incendiary Free Leonard Peltier - the story of a man, a movement, a miscarriage of justice, and a new freedom found, that is sure to move and inspire audiences across both festivals.

"Steeped in the history of a defining activist movement, the film itself is also a unique witness to history unfolding right now alongside the commutation of Peltier's sentence - Free Leonard Peltier is a film that has already set itself as a must-see documentary highlight for 2025."

Tony Briggs, Artistic Director of BFF, added: "We're honoured to partner with MIFF for this special screening. Working with Al Cossar and his team has been seamless, reinforcing the power of unity in sharing vital stories. This milestone partnership celebrates the impact of First Nations storytelling, culture and film. It is a privilege to co-present Free Leonard Peltier. This story embodies strength, resilience and the relentless fight for justice, echoing the struggles of First Nations peoples worldwide. It must be seen, heard, and felt and Birrarangga Film Festival proudly shares the honour of presenting it to audiences in Naarm."
 

In addition to the Birrarangga screening, BFF and MIFF will co-present a second screening at MIFF in August 2025, further solidifying this groundbreaking co-presentation.

Birrarangga Film Festival is Australia's only and largest dedicated First Nations-led film festival.

A biennial celebration of Indigenous films and storytelling from around the globe, BFF returns to Naarm from March 13-18, 2025, with events at multiple locations across the city.
 

Birrarangga Film Festival is presented with support from Principal Partner Creative Victoria, Major Partner VicScreen, design partner Ortolan, and presenting partners Canadian Consulate , RMIT The Capitol, Lido, Classic, Palace Kino, Palace Westgarth, VCA Federation Hall, Treasury Theatre, Nant Studios, ACMI and Federation Square.
 

For the full program, including synopses, screening dates, times, and ticketing information, please visit: https://www.birrarangga.world/program
 

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Screening Details

• Event: Southern Hemisphere Premiere and filmmaker Q&A - Free Leonard Peltier
• Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025
• Time: 5:45 PM
• Venue: Palace Westgarth Cinemas, Northcote
• Rating: Classification Exemption (Unclassified Restricted to persons 15+ and over unless accompanied by an adult)
• Tickets: $22 General Public | $17 Concession & MIFF Members (via discount code) | $13 Blak Tickets

About Free Leonard Peltier

Directed by Jesse Short Bull (Lakota Nation vs. the United States) and David France (How To Survive a Plague, The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, Welcome to Chechnya), Free Leonard Peltier documents the decades-long fight for justice surrounding one of the most enduring political imprisonments in modern history. With the support of a new generation of Native activists, the movement to secure Peltier's freedom has reached a defining moment.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.birrarangga.world/program/free-leonard-peltier

MEDIA CONTACT:
Erin Jameson  |  erin(at)jamesonandco(dot)com  |  +61 419 323 663