A "love letter to human kind" film from First Nations artistic and academic voices blends timeless knowledge with the newest of technologies to ask some big questions, for one day only, on January 26.
IMAGINE, an animation brought by Bundjalung man Jack Manning Bancroft and Apalech clan man Tyson Yunkaporta, started as a Google Doc before its script was put out for collaboration with hundreds of people from school kids to the likes of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, world renowned Quandamooka playwright Wesley Enoch, and Nelson Mandela's granddaughter.
It tells the story of Kim, a 15-year-old non-binary teen exploring beyond the 'attention economy' of scrolling and discomfort with parts of the modern world.
With 'sarcastic alien dog' Jeff alongside, and the knowledge of Aboriginal Elders, Kim embarks on a 24-hour journey across islands, a literally living library, ideological battlefield, ocean of memory and more places totally after being surprised and pulled from his bedroom one night.
After premiering at the Melbourne International Film Fesitval in 2025, and later screenings at festivals across the world, IMAGINE releases nationally in cinemas for just one day on January 26.
"This film is a love letter to human kind," said Manning Bancroft said.
"It's a plea to reach for our potential to design systems where nature is included, to find a vision for this nation that includes all nations, all living creatures, the 8 billion+ on this rock.
"It's a chance for us to take this obstacle of where we are stuck, and with our collective cooperation to imagine what's possible and make it real."
Manning Bancroft is the founder of AIME (Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience), an organisation providing structured education support programs for First Nations kids.
He is also the creator of IMAGI-NATION the book, done with his mother and celebrated artist Bronwyn Bancroft.
AIME's IMAGI-NATION Studios and 'TV' arm - an online mentoring resource, produced and acted as the source of contribution to the film's script.
Australian gold medallist Ian Thorpe, acclaimed director Taika Waititi, Yolande Brown - best known for Orange Is the New Black, and choreographer, AIME co-chief executive and Bidjara woman Yolande Brown are just some voices featured in the film.
It asks questions about our impact on the planet and what we want to leave behind.
"Every now and again, we have some stories that allow us to watch them together across generations and demographics," Manning Bancroft said.
"IMAGINE does that. A twelve-year-old can sit with their dad and they can meet in the middle... it reaches that expanse."
IMAGINE is in cinemas across the country on January 26. It will also play at the Perth Arts Festival for Cine Wonders on January 30.
