Stargazer Cinema: First Nations Stories Shine Under Barangaroo Sky

Aside from entertaining, good storytelling has the power to transport—and that’s exactly what Stargazer Cinema sets out to do. This spring, Barangaroo Reserve transforms into a starlit outdoor cinema, showcasing a free series celebrating First Nations filmmakers whose stories brim with grit, humour, and heart.

Running every Thursday till 20 November, the program is curated by Winda Film Festival. It invites Sydneysiders to swap the couch-surfing for picnic rugs and rediscover the magic of shared stories beneath the open sky.

Stargazer Cinema brings genre-spanning stories under the stars at Barangaroo

Born from Winda Film Festival’s beloved ‘under the stars’ closing night, Stargazer emerged after the pandemic pause.

“We wanted to rethink how the community engages with our films,” says festival organiser Pauline Clague. “After COVID and with hard times, people could likely visit the city once a week–but not every night. So we stretched the festival over [a few] months in hopes it would make it easier for everyone to come together.”

Backed by the NSW Government, the project was brought to life. For the first time, Barangaroo has gone from harbour reserve to natural night-time amphitheatre, complete with a big screen and lush lawn seating.

The site, Yellamundie Ngurang or “Storyteller Place” in the local Dhurung language, fittingly sits on Country. It mirrors the festival’s mission: centring Indigenous voices in a space where all can gather and be entertained under the stars.

From heartfelt drama to animated adventures, the line-up spans genres, proving First Nations storytelling is as expansive as it is vital.

Highlights include The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson, a fierce reimagining of survival in the Snowy Mountains; Sweet As, the first Western Australian feature written and directed by an Indigenous woman; and The Moogai, a chilling horror from award-winning filmmaker Jon Bell.

Later weeks expand the lens, with works from Indigenous filmmakers across the globe, including BATI (Fiji), Sweet Summer Pow Wow (Canada) and Koka (New Zealand).

More than a film series, Stargazer acts as a platform. It creates space and visibility for First Nations voices whose stories continue to shape Australian cinema.

First Nations filmmakers take centre stage

Supported by UTS, Screen Australia and AFTRS, the festival also brings the directors to each screening, giving audiences the chance to engage directly with creatives like Andrew Ponton, Kath Akuhata-Brown and more.

In addition, a podcast series will follow the screenings, diving into deeper conversations about the films and their cultural impact.

Against the stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour, Stargazer Cinema screenings unfold on Barangaroo Reserve’s sprawling lawn. Moonlit skies frame a communal, intimate cinematic experience, fully immersing audiences.

As for food and drinks, visitors can BYO, or grab a takeaway from nearby eateries for a full dinner-and-a-movie experience.

Beyond an ideal spring outing, whether with friends, family, or solo, it’s a chance to pause, gather, and enjoy stories that speak to identity, resilience, and joy.

As the city stretches into longer evenings and warmer nights, Stargazer is a timely reminder of cinema’s power to bring people together, one story at a time.

Stargazer Cinema is on till 20 November at Barangaroo Reserve. For more information, visit Winda Film Festival.