Sydney Film Festival operates on the unceded land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, and this year in its 70th edition will also present screenings on Bidjigal, Cammeraygal, and the land of the Cabrogal Clan of the Darug Nation. In addition, we also present the Travelling Film Festival which reaches the many varied nations of the traditional custodians all over Australia. We are honoured to be part of the long history of storytelling that has taken place on these lands for thousands of years.

Sydney Film Festival has for decades striven to amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, through the stories we share, the audiences we welcome, and the manner in which we work and operate. It’s in this spirit that Sydney Film Festival supports constitutional recognition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and supports the Voice to Parliament.

We believe in the power of dialogue, the strength of diverse opinions from lived experience, and in the importance of equality and reconciliation. The Indigenous Voice to Parliament represents an opportunity to acknowledge, respect, and learn from the wisdom of the First Nations Peoples, enriching our nation’s story and its future. We view the Indigenous Voice to Parliament as an opportunity for the nation to progress further along the path of reconciliation.

We understand and respect the varied perspectives on this issue. We encourage thoughtful consideration and informed decision-making as we move towards the referendum. Recognising the significance of individual experiences, beliefs, and viewpoints, we seek to promote open dialogue within the community.

Every perspective adds depth to the human story, and every vote counts in shaping our collective future.