Koorie Youth Flick Fest 2025

Did you miss the announcements of the winners of the 2025 Koorie Youth Flick Fest last week at the launch of the Central Victorian Indigenous Film Festival? Don't worry, we've got you covered on how it went this year ⏬⏬

Each year, the City of Greater Bendigo marks National Reconciliation Week with the Central Victorian Indigenous Film Festival (CVIFF), a region-wide showcase of First Nations films, videos, documentaries, discussions and stories. As part of the CVIFF, YO Bendigo supports the Koorie Youth Flick Fest, a short filmmaking competition for First Nations young people. Young mob submit their short films exploring the annual theme. The winners are then screened and announced at the CVIFF launch every year.

This year was the 5 year anniversary of the Koorie Youth Flick Fest so the launch was even bigger and better than ever!

On May 27th, the Bendigo Library came alive with celebration as it hosted the launch of this year’s CVIFF, where the long-awaited announcement of the 2025 Koorie Youth Flick Fest winners was made! This years theme was 'My Mob, My Place'; young people were invited to explore their connection to country and to place, and how it's intertwined with their identity and culture.

The event drew a fantastic crowd, with a heartwarming turnout from community, supporters, and creatives alike.

The afternoon began with a Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony in the Bendigo Library Gardens by Djaara Elder, Aunty Peta, before the crowd moved indoors into the Bendigo Library.

With YO's very own Chelsea MC-ing the event, we heard about the signficance and growth of the Koorie Youth Flick Fest over the last 5 years, and how it has become an integral part of the CVIFF. We heard about everyone who was a part of the Flick Fest's journey since beginning in 2021. Mayor Cr. Andrea Metcalf also gave a speech about National Reconciliation Week, and this year's theme 'Bridging Now to Next'

After the wonderful speeches, the 2025 awards ceremony commenced! Here's a run down of all the films that were submitted and screened this year!

The winners, who each received $1000, a certificate, and will go on a paid trip to Fed Square for a dedicated screening of their films and a celebratory lunch during NAIDOC Week were:

Cohen Barker (Gundjitmara) - 'My Mob, My Place'. Cohen said he is a proud Gundjitmara man born on Djaara country, proud to share a little bit of information about his mob and his place.
Terri Flaherty (Wiradjuri) - 'My mob is my place'. Terri said her film is about what she has experienced on her journey of connecting with her Aboriginality. The theme reasonated strongly with her feelings as she has grown up away from her traditional lands, and finding her family and her mob here on Djaara country.

The Honourable Mention, who won a $150 JB Hi-Fi gift voucher and a certificate:

Chelsea Korp (Wemba Wemba) - 'My Mob, My Place'. Chelsea's film is about her experience growing up away her traditional lands, and navigating how to balance the cultures that make up her identity.

For the first time, all submitted films were screened, and each participant won a certificate, a notebook and pen from local Djaara-owned business, Koori Art Designs, a Blak, Loud & Proud badge from Clothing The Gaps, and a drink bottle and tote bag from YO Bendigo. The participants were:

Spencer Jackson - 'No matter your colour, it's in your blood'. Spencer said his film is about inspiring First Nations people to embrace culture, but also our differences, and how it's okay to be who you are.
Keira Long (Wiradjuri) - 'Nginhamarra'. Keira said her film is a heartfelt celebration of her identity, and her family's culture and mob, and that her film shines a light on the loved ones who shape our lives and stories'.
Levi Oogjes, Jahmaine King and Yarran Briggs - 'My Mob, My Place'. This group entry is about coming together and the importance of connecting, despite the challenges.

The winning films are now on Youtube, and the rest of the films will be available to watch on the City of Greater Bendigo's Youtube account later this watch. Watch this space for the link 👀

After the awards, guests enjoyed a delicious spread of food, including sandwiches, wraps, a sweets platter, and more. It was a perfect chance for guests to mingle and reflect on all the amazing films they watched. After this little break it was time to get comfy and watch all of the deadly films from the past 5 years.

You can find all of these winning films of each year's Koorie Youth Flick Fest on the City of Greater Bendigo's Youtube account.

Thank you to everyone who came along to the event to celebrate the stories and achievements of young First Nations people. Congratulations to all of the winners, and to everyone who shared their stories in the last 5 years of the Koorie Youth Flick Fest.

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