“Firstdraft is excited to announce Soft Power, a digital exhibition featuring new works by Nicholas Aloisio-Shearer, Janet Bi Li Chan, Lou Garcia-Dolnik, Roslyn Orlando, Somayra Ismailjee, Ryan Andrew Lee, Melody Paloma, and Talia Smith.

In Soft Power, eight writers and artists explore what is obscured and nullified in emergent and established systems of power. Presenting experimental responses, new critiques and speculative futures, Soft Power launches on the Firstdraft website next Tuesday 26 October.”

Click the link here for early preview access!

“This wonderful doll display covering 24 scenes with over 300 carefully crafted and handmade dolls has been designed by Giri and is presented by the Hindu Council of Australia with support from Liverpool City Council and Casula Powerhouse. The visual and colourful impact of the dolls will draw the attention of young and older minds alike, drawing you in to focus on the valuable traits of Rama. This exhibition will not only inspire but also help viewers to consider their life goals in a harmonious way.

This exhibition aims to give a similar experience of the Ramayana tradition to the wider Australian youth and adults who may want to explore the Indian culture and art form.”

Click here to find out more about this exhibition!

“The Podcasting for Beginners Workshop held in June 2021 was an initiative of the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC), Country Arts SA and Riverland Youth Theatre, delivered by experienced First Nations mentor Raymond Zada and supported by award-winning First Nations media and radio professional Christine Brown of Nunga Wangga Media Aboriginal Corporation.

The 15min Podcasts, each a unique response to 2021 NAIDOC theme ‘Heal Country’.”

Click here to listen in anytime!

“Four determinedly optimistic refugees compete in the World Wine Blind Tasting Championships as Zimbabwe’s first-ever representatives. From the makers of Red Obsession (SFF 2013).

Since the mid-’90s millions of Zimbabweans have fled their country’s economic woes. Joseph, Tinashe, Marlvin and Pardon have ended up in South Africa. While working in Cape Town restaurants they develop an interest in wine. The quartet become sommeliers, meet and form a team to compete in the so-called ‘Olympics of the wine world’. Twenty-four mainly European countries will be vying for the prestigious award. Each team must sample 12 different wines and guess the country, winery and vintage. Australian directors-producers-writers Warwick Ross and Rob Coe work together again on a delightful wine-related documentary, following this determined foursome as they practice their tasting skills and set out for France to proudly represent their country. Winner, Audience Award for Best Feature Documentary, Tribeca Film Festival.”

Click here for more information on where to screen! (Notably showing at Casula Powerhouse!)

“The award-winning Boundless Festival returns in 2021 with a powerful line-up of emerging and established writers, discussing everything from the evolution of Indigenous storytelling, to the challenges facing Muslim writers, to the restorative power of literature in times of isolation and lockdown.”

Click here for more information!

“October is Mental Health Month. As a way to incorporate better mental health, this program aims to stimulate wellbeing through creativity. Tune in for some creative exercises that incorporate meditation, art therapy, journaling, and group sharing.

We will meet every Tuesday evening online at 7:00pm Sydney, Australia time. You will need some basic art supplies…[but] this is not an art class. There is no such thing as being “bad at art” – it’s all about freedom of expression and letting go of the need to be perfect. Everyone is welcome as they are.”

Click here for further information!