It’s been a busy 6 months since our last update.
Since the Sydney Film Festival in June we have been working hard to maximise the reach and impact of In My Blood It Runs as we prepare for the cinema release in 2020.
Read more about the 2020 cinema release and what we’ve achieved in 2019 below.
2020 Cinema Release
In My Blood It Runs will be premiering in cinemas across Australia on February 20th next year. We need your help getting the word out.
We will be kicking off with a huge outdoor screening for family and friends at Hidden Valley Town Camp in Alice Springs on the 13th of February.
We know how powerful Dujuan’s story is. With your help we can reach more people and maximise the film’s impact.
- Help to promote the cinema release in February 2020. Can you share in a newsletter? Promote it to your staff, board, clients or professional networks? Social media posts? Ad space? If you can help promote the film please contact us.
- Host a screening for your networks. You can help bring the film to even more places by hosting a Cinema on Demand screening. Find out more about hosting a screening.
Check out the website for details on showing cinemas and special Q&A and panel discussions in February. More screenings are constantly being added.
Larissa Behrendt, Jane Vadiveloo, Maya Newell, Margie Anderson, Carol Turner, Dujuan Hoosan at the Melbourne Film Festival in August 2019
Our Impact In 2019
To maximise the impact of the film we have developed an approach based on the direction and vision from Dujuan, his family and our Arrernte and Garrwa Elders and advisors.
We are building partnerships with a range of groups and we’re already seeing impressive progress on our change goals.
#RaiseTheAge of Criminal Responsibility
Over the last year, the Attorney Generals created a representative group (Criminal Age Working Group – CAG) from all states and territories to oversee recommendations and research as to whether Australia should raise the age of criminal responsibility in line with international standards.
With key partners, we have been working behind the scenes to influence this process and encourage leadership from one state or territory to be the first to change the law in the hopes that this creates a domino effect.
We also partnered with Australian Human Rights Commission and the Human Rights Law Centre to present at the UN Human Rights Council. Dujuan was the youngest person ever to address the Human Rights Council and the UN’s High Commissioner, Michelle Bachelet confirmed this when she requested a meeting with us. She continued to mention us in her visit to Australia and in media while in Australia she often referred to Dujuan’s film and vision for change.
We made international and national news with over 50 independent articles and making all major news outlets in Australia.
Changing The Education System
We are employing a number of strategies to start a conversation about First Nations led education and making schools culturally appropriate for Aborignial and Torres Strait Islander children.
We held over 25 targeted private influencer screenings to support these education goals, from Melbourne University’s School of Education to remote Indigenous community screenings.
- Classroom Resources: We are working with partners to produce FREE education resources accompanying In My Blood It Runs looking deeper at the story and the issues arising. These resources will be available soon so keep an eye on your inbox.
- Professional Development: We writing resources for teachers in collaboration with Reconciliation Australia: Narragunnawali Program and Stronger Smarter Institute available from February 2020.
- A student led campaign to advocate for truer histories to be taught in Australian schools: With a Host A Screening In Your School led by National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition (NIYEC) from April 30th, 2020.
- First Nations Led Education System: We are supporting a new Network of First Nations educators, including many of Dujuan’s grandmothers, who are working to design a First Nations led education system. These educators are being supported by our key partner Children’s Ground. In My Blood It Runs will use our cinema release to amplify the network’s goal to reach a broader audience and gain traction in government for formal recognition and resourcing. They have held two meetings April and October, and we will host a Federal Parliament screening on this advocacy ask in Feb 2020.
Thank you
It’s been a great year, and we couldn’t have done it without your support. Our hard work has paid off with a number of festival screenings and awards. We couldn’t be prouder of the work we have done together.
- Melbourne Film Festival (including an encore screening)
- New Zealand Film Festival
- Darwin Film Festival (Winner Audience Choice Award and encore screening)
- Byron Bay Film Festival (Winner Best Film and Best Documentary)
- REEL Film Festival Newcastle (Opening Night Film)
- AFI DOCS (Washington, USA premiere)
- DOC NYC (USA)
- ATOM Award – Winner Best Documentary for Social and Political Issues
- Walkley Award Nomination Best Documentary
- AACTA Award Nomination – Best Documentary and Best Cinematography
A huge heartfelt thank you for being part of this film’s story. We could not have done walked this far without you.
