The Orange Regional Arts Foundation hosts this special screening of Firekeepers, a short film by Jack Steele, as part of the Orange Region Fire Festival.

Against the backdrop of increasing wildfires and climate change, a First Nations community embarks on a journey to restore traditional cultural burning practices, fighting to preserve their ancestral knowledge and protect their land.

This captivating 15-minute documentary chronicles the transformative journey of a Wiradjuri community as they embrace and reintegrate traditional cultural burning practices into their fire management plans, embarking on a profound path towards healing their land, and the challenges they face within a contemporary post colonised society.

Set in the present day, the film features insightful interviews with Wiradjuri men and women, Aunty Alice Williams, Uncle Ian Sutherland, Uncle Neil Ingram and Greg Ingram, who generously share the progress made, the formidable challenges encountered, and the inspiring aspirations for the community's future.

Firekeepers is an intimate story that delves into the efforts of a community to restore cultural knowledge, heal the land in traditional ways, and safeguard against the ever-increasing danger of bushfires. From eradicating invasive plant species and promoting the regrowth of native plants, Firekeepers showcases the collaborative efforts between Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals in caring for country.

Enjoy drinks and canapés, and stay for a Q&A session with Jack Steele following the screening.