Dare to Struggle Film Festival
Activism on Screen
The Dare to Struggle Film Festival celebrates the stories and struggles of individuals, groups and communities trying to improve the world and create a fairer and more just society.
The inaugural Dare to Struggle Film Festival 2022 was held over two days, Friday April 22 and Saturday April 23. Over 300 people attended 4 different Festival screenings and another 100 plus people watched it online. The Festival is building on the strong history of Australian and International working class and progressive film making the Dare to Struggle Film Festival a unique festival for filmmakers from all walks of life at any level of film making experience. Professional, middling or amateur – if you document radical struggle and make issue-based short films, then the DTSFF is for you. The DTSFF is looking for short films, less than 10 mins, from progressive filmmakers around Australia.
Connect with like-minded film makers, share your message and experience and be in the running to win cash prizes. Entries now closed for the 2022 Festival. Watch for details of the 2023 season to be announced soon.
FESTIVAL OPENING EVENT
Celebrating Jack Mundey, the Green Bans, trade unions and workers struggles
Most popular film on the night as chosen by the audience
and the winner is:
Freedom is Mine
Mahmoud Salameh Abu Qutmah

BEST FILM BY A STUDENT PRIZE
BAMA
Jahvis Loveday
EMERGING FILMMAKER PRIZE
Through Her Eyes
Jason Haji-Ali
PATRON’S PRIZE

Freedom is Mine
Mahmoud Salameh Abu Qutmah
FESTIVAL AWARDS NIGHT
And the winners are:
1ST PRIZE
ADDRESSING UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Amanda King, Fabio Cavadini, Jamie McMechan

2ND PRIZE
A ROHINGYA’S JOURNEY
Ed Coney

3RD PRIZE
A RADICAL HOPE
Zebedee Galen Dowdell-Parkes




FRIDAY NIGHT OPENING PROGRAM
Essential Portraits of Essential Workers Avraham Vofsi
During the COVID-19 pandemic, media attention salutes front-line health care workers fighting to save lives, while giving less attention to the thousands of low-paid or casual workers who kept society functioning. Avraham Vofsi, a portrait artist, set out to document these stories.
I am Woman Philip O’Donoghue
Produced by UnionsWA, feminist content at a union rally
Jack Mundey DTSFF
Jack Mundey’s legacy is immense. The face of Sydney today as a result of the Green Bans movement is a monument to his achievements. Jack’s commitment to democratic unionism and strong community engagement were central to these wins. The film festival was conceived as a tribute to his life.
A Man From the Other Side Ivan Gaal , Janos Zoltan
Denis Evans’ motto is: “if you don’t fight you lose”. During a lawn bowling match we found out why he believes in that statement
North West Joel O’Brien
The North-West region of Australia harbours some of the largest mineral deposits in the world and with it come some of the most rotten multinational corporations and a ton of workers all looking to make a buck. What was once a series of strong Union towns are now reduced rubble. Yet there are some unions that still organise and win, and it’s in this place that the MUA dare to struggle and dare to win.
2021 NSW Teacher Strike Rhiannon Sawyer
Teachers now work 55 hours a week but salaries haven’t kept pace. 1 in 8 teachers now leave the profession within 6 years and there are more than 1,000 full-time teaching positions unfilled in NSW. Demanding a decent pay rise, tens of thousands of teachers across NSW participated in a 24 hour stoppage on December 7 2021.
RAFFWU DTSFF
Workers at the Better Read Than Dead bookshop in Newtown have unionised and have been endeavouring to negotiate an EBA. This is but a small moment in their campaign.
VALE John Coombes – Working Class Hero Jamie McMechan
The diminutive, white-haired Coombs was the MUA’s public face throughout the 1998 Patrick waterfront dispute. His determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with waterside workers and resist the sacking of workers energised a generation of workers and activists to resist the destructive forces of capital and reaffirm their commitment to collective action.
Can Do Capitalism Alexandra Hawkins
Scott Morrison in front of Parliament House prattles on about nothing wearing a hi-vis vest and holding up a piece of coal and a booklet. Meanwhile the water levels are rising and the crows are gathering.
Never too late Philip O’Donoghue
Members of the Unions WA Retired Members Group talk about unionism and what it means to them.
Fighting to Fix Early Childhood Education Ted Alexander Crosby
Early childhood educators have been fighting to fix the broken early years education and care sector. This film investigates what the big problems are, why it matters – and why it’s so important for educators and families to win this fight. This documentary was produced with the support of United Workers Union.
Climate Action a Workers Issue Amanda King, Fabio Cavadini, Jamie McMechan
The MUA has taken a bold stand on climate action. While the leadership have spoken up about the need for a just transition promoting the option of off-shore wind as a new industry for maritime workers, the rank and file are actively highlighting the challenges facing First Nations communities facing the onslaught of the Morrison Government’s ‘gas led recovery’. The MUA and Workers for Climate Action are taking a proactive role to support Gomeroi people in North-West NSW who are fighting attempts by Santos to dispossess them of their lands and build up to 850 coal-seam gas wells.
Hold That Line Okapi Guitar Band John Laidler
“What are we waiting for? Time to say what must be said.” This music video uses documentary and news footage to celebrate the struggle of working people, revolutionaries, climate activists, anti-war protesters and more..
Times Up Roland Kay-Smith
Doctors in NSW are suing the NSW Government in the Supreme Court for wage theft. This is a once-in-a-generation chance to change the way junior doctors are treated. ASMOF’s claim sets out to change the Award to better reflect contemporary work practices, to penalise the NSW Government for breaching the existing Award and to recover unpaid overtime and entitlements
Lethal Bias CFMEU
The war on Australia’s construction workers. Million dollar fins, police raids, phone taps and trumped up criminal charges – the harshest anti-union laws in the western world.
Song for Christopher Gary McCarthy
The death of young worker Christopher Cassaniti on 1 April 2019 was a tragic injustice. Corners were cut on safety on the construction project where he worked that resulted in his needless death. The loss of Christopher to his family and their suffering is immeasurable.
Comrades – Vale Karl “The Bro” Braidotti Jamie McMechan
Karl won a workplace weight loss competition back in 2010. This short film showcases his efforts in shredding an incredible 40 plus kilograms in 3 months. Karl was surround by other wharfies all losing weight and raising much needed funds for the Sydney Children’s Hospital. However, recently Karl has been met with a savage battle from stage four terminal cancer. This celebrates his life and what he has achieved.
Let your Heart Rule Amanda King, Fabio Cavadini, Jamie McMechan
In 1966, after years of exploitation the Gurindji people led by Vincent Lingiari walked off the Wave Hill station owned by the Vesty corporation. During the 1960’s the Darwin wharfies, maritime union members led by Brian Manning drove down with a truck load of supplies to support the Gurindji people. The campaign spread among maritime unionists around the country, including the Aboriginal Wharfies Delegation in Sydney led by Charles ‘Chicka’ Dixon. The Gurindjis eventually won back their lands in 1976.
Freedom is Mine Mahmoud Salameh Abu Qutmah
This is an animated film about asylum seekers detained in Australia
SATURDAY FESTIVAL AWARDS NIGHT PROGRAM
A Rohingya’s Journey Ed Coney
A refugee story of strength, hope and determination.
I’ll Stand With You Matt Norman
A short film dedicated to taking a stance against racism in sport.
Defend Errinundra Isaac Carné
Defend Errinundra narrates the struggle of a small community in East Gippsland (Vic) to save one of the last unburnt forests after the 2019-20 bushfires.
Bama Jahvis Loveday
After the first day of private school in the city, a young aboriginal boy reflects on his fear of losing the magic of family and community after being so far away from them.
Stand With Us Alex Bainbridge
Music video of Phil Monsour singing his “Stand With Us” outside the Kangaroo Point hotel/refugee prison interspersed with images from the campaign to #FreeTheKP120
Redbank David Bradbury
A shady consortium of investors seeks approval from the NSW Perrottet Govt to bring the mothballed Redbank power plant back into operation using the latest buzz words such as ‘clean’, ‘green’ and ‘sustainable’ Hydrogen energy, to burn what they euphemistically call ‘bio-mass’ – whole trees which will be clear felled in areas already struggling to provide habitat for koalas and other endangered species. The Redbanks furnaces will emit more Carbon than dirty coal fired power stations, while collecting a hefty subsidy for Verdant Earth Technologies from theNSW taxpayer.
Through Her Eyes Jason Haji-Ali
This film is a poetic composition of memory, influence and identity. First Nations filmmaker Jason Haji-Ali explores his cultural identity as he reflects on his childhood, the toxicity of social media and conversation with his grandmother, Phyllis. His grandmother’s stories help shape his understanding of what it means to be Aboriginal.
Urakka Sol (Speak Up) Harshana Manokaran
The film is based on the actors real life story. It depicts her journey through the pain of silence and the power of speaking up. It’s about the cultural barriers of speaking up about child sexual abuse experiences and reporting it.
Song for Christopher Gary McCarthy
The death of young worker Christopher Cassaniti on 1 April 2019 was a tragic injustice. Corners were cut on safety on the construction project where he worked that resulted in his needless death. The loss of Christopher to his family and their suffering is immeasurable.
Restart Zev Howley
Samantha’s life revolves around her phone and social media. This film explores what her world would be like if she could control her self-destructive excesses.
Mt Walker Khang Pham
Another mistake about to happen.
Resistance Kyle Portbury
A Dutch textile merchant struggles to evade capture in order to save a Jewish family from the Nazis. Based on real events.
Love & Revolution Jacqui North
Palestinian and queer women call for peace, justice, and an end to colonial violence and apartheid.
We Don’t have to Ask Permission Manic Seeds Media
‘We Don’t Have To Ask Permission’ is a tour of Direct Action within the climate justice movement in so-called Australia. From the forests of the Tarkine to the dust of Adani people from all walks of life decide to skill up and then act up.
Addressing Unfinished Business Amanda King, Fabio Cavadini, Jamie McMechan
A documentary about the role of the union movement in supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Thomas Mayor, National Indigenous Officer with the MUA has played an inspirational role reaching Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and audiences across the nation.
Cracked MAHMUT TAŞ
A little girl lives in a village with her mother where water sources are dwindling by day. Drought effects her imagination, even her doodles and drawings. People and nature struggle with the unrelenting aridness. This little girl though, never loses hope.
Swarm Lukasz Termer
Swarm tells the story of a gutsy beekeeper, Peter, who challenges the Australian government’s inaction on climate change. When raging bushfires destroy his livelihood, Peter, who is as feisty as his bees, takes matters into his own hands making plenty of new friends and a few enemies along the way.
Freedom is Mine Mahmoud Salameh Abu Qutmah
This is an animation about Asylum Seekers detained in Australia
A Radical Hope Zebedee Galen Dowdell-Parkes
In recent years Australia has felt the impact of the climate crisis through fires and floods, leaving many people feeling despair and anxiety about the future.
A Radical Hope follows three high school students during the organizing of the March 25 Global Climate Strike in Sydney .
Saturday Emerging Filmmakers Screening Program 2.30pm
Go the Bees DTSFF
At COP 21 rally in Sydney, one bee pleads for people to save the planet.
Canteen In Space Josh Bell
Canteen In Space follows a group of young people impacted by cancer on their mission to launch a bandanna to the edge of space.
La Muerte: Stop the Killings Carielyn Tunion
In the Philippines, a humanitarian crisis is raging out of control. Since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in June 2016, thousands have lost their lives in his administration’s confected “War Against Drugs” and bloody crackdown on civil society. The Morrison Government refuses to condemn President Duterte while Australian security agencies provide “technical assistance”.
Lines in the Sand Jen Davidson
Ninety year old Scientist and Surfer Tom Kirsop has devoted a lifetime to protecting the coasts and has had to protect himself in the process.
There is a River Dan Marjason
Music Duo Hurdy Gurdy have recorded their song, There Is A River, about water politics in Australia and the need to share from upstream to those below and into the sea.
Iran is not fictional Bean Boy
Stories of three different women living in Iran are shared. A small glimpse into their lives to show that Iran is more than the news all hear on the media. There are real people living there with real struggles that the US is only worsening.
You’re Always Welcome in Lakemba DTSFF
Lakemba residents were trained in filmaking techniques and showed a sceptical media the best of Lakemba, it’s residents.
Dalanngaroo Ngarringaloo Mark Munk Ross, Brad Steadman
The traditional-contemporary story of the Barwon River and the impacts colonisation
The Western Front Badgery’s Creek Stephen Rutherford
A dramatisation of the concerns and issues that may impact on the environment and wellbeing of people living in areas affected by the Badgerys Creek airport.
John Coombes DTSFF
Using footage filmed at the 1998 Patrick’s wharfies despite, this video is a tribute to the leadership of John Coombes, MUA National Secretary.
Syron Jenny Fraser Gordon
Syron is the God Father of Contemporary Aboriginal Art in Australia, and turned 80 in December 2021.
Make a submission to the Disability Royal Commission Sarah Barton
This short documentary encourages disabled people to share their stories of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation with the disability Royal Commission.
Flatline Shannon Meilak
A jovial man slowly becomes a zombie whilst attempting to apply for government welfare. He finds himself caught in bureaucratic red tape and struggling with his escalating hunger for human flesh.
Saturday Film Festival Screening 2, 4pm
Justin for Justice Tiger Gill-Finigan
Justen an Aboriginal man with intellectual disability, is an advocate for people with intellectual disability coming into contact with the Justice system.
Heart Swell Kimberly Bautista
Amber fears drowning in her own emotions after a half-hearted suicide attempt. During a fraught trip to the beach with her mother, she encounters her inner child and learns to swim in the depths of her memories, confronting a rape that she never grieved.
Land of the Free: In the Shadows James Ganiere
Land of the Free: In the shadows is a groundbreaking documentary containing never-before-seen nefarious and subversive facts, blowing the lid off secrets behind the big business of LEGALLY killing endangered species for pride, pleasure and profit.
Monska C. R. Robin Isabella Andronos
When a dance competition opens up in their town, a group of young girls take it upon themselves to perform their own distinct routine.
Hartley Heritage Under Threat Khang Pham
We are about to lose another important heritage for our children and our children’s children.
Three Generations – Rafeel Ziadah Phil Monsour
Rafeef Ziadah’s poem Three Generations is a deeply moving, powerful, personal remembrance of Palestine, Al-Nakba, exile, defiance, and survival. It is also a beautiful testament to the human spirit, to ‘love and joy against skies of steel’.
Possum Dreaming Khang Pham
Another Aboriginal heritage ( Wuradjuri ) about to be chewed up by an over engineering upgrade.
Inspiration Plains Harriet McKern
A residential nexus for older female artists where liveability meets creativity and the numbers count…Ka-ching! Why not come along and join Sister Abstraction’s sharing circle today?
Rylstone Region Under Threat Phil Joseph
The beauty of the Rylstone Region and the passion of it’s community demand protection from coal exploration.
La Tansouna (Don’t Forget Us) Sarah Ghassali
A newly-arrived refugee seeks asylum in Australia, escaping persecution to live his life freely on safer lands.
Wildfire Shyam Karki
A little red panda, a rare species, has become homeless as a result of the recent 16-day wildfire in the Nepali mid-hills, yet one more of a growing number of symptoms of the climate crises that spares no human nor animal.
The program is subject to changes
Testimonials
What people say about the festival.
Katrina Channels
We must dare to struggle! On the streets, in our workplaces and through the stories we tell and share, we need films…
Paul Keating
Australia’s Industrial laws criminalise union activity. Today if workers take strike action and the union defends its members by setting up a…
Sign up for periodic updates on entering, accessing guidance on filmmaking and attending the Festival.
STAY IN THE LOOP
Not just a celebration of independent filmmaking, the Dare to Struggle Film Festival embraces the diversity of radical struggle in Australia and internationally and creates a platform that amplifies the voice of activism.
Jack Mundey, the inspiration behind the festival

Green Ban leader, Jack Mundey, has been a major inspiration for the Dare To Struggle Film Festival. Our title is taken from the slogan made famous by the Green Bans – “Dare to struggle, dare to win”.
In the 1970s Jack led the Builders Labourers Federation that imposed bans on developments that at the time were worth about $5 billion. Using a combination of strikes, direct action and negotiation, the Green Ban movement had many wins saving urban bushland, low cost housing and heritage buildings from the corrupt plans of greedy developers.
Jack was a committed environmentalist and socialist. His inclusive, respectful and courageous style of work helped build many of the great social movements of the later half of the 20th century.
The Dare to Struggle Film Festival is exactly what this city needs right now. We are seeing multiple and connected grassroots movements, all challenging the status quo. Many are coming together to build a fundamentally fairer and more sustainable future. Whether it is the women’s marches for justice, student led climate rallies or First Nations demands that are being expressed through the Black Lives Matter movement, this is a time when radical grassroots struggle is having a real world impact.
There could not be a better time to revisit the work of Jack Mundey in uniting the union, social justice and environmental movements. This is an important festival at a critical time for people and the planet and one that should not be missed.
Greens MP David Shoebridge

David being arrested