Australia's largest and only gathering of First Nations writers and storytellers, Blak & Bright Writers Festival, returns for its fifth instalment this year.
The festival, held in Naarm over four days September 3-6, will create a space for all Australians to engage with the richness, complexity and power of First Nations storytelling.
"This year's program features the voices of some of the country's most influential First Nations commentators," said artistic director and chief executive at Blak & Bright, Bebe Oliver.
"From up-and-comers you may never have heard of to the biggest names in the Australian literary scene, we can't wait to share in the ideas, conversations and workshops which will shape culture, identity, storytelling and social issues moving forward.
"Storytelling has never been exclusive, so we've worked hard to ensure that our festival is as accessible as possible.
"We can't wait for Melbournians, visitors and those living regionally to experience the diversity and creative expression our festival helps to cultivate."
Program highlights include a celebration of Blak women's voices across literature and storytelling in a free panel discussion between Jasmin McGaughey, Samantha Faulkner, Chelsea Watego, Julie Janson and Kirli Saunders, a free workshop hosted by fiction writer Tony Birch and a creative program for children and young people hosted by Iluka Sax-Williams and Maree Clarke, which explores Blaktivism, art and storytelling through collaborative workshops and hands-on making.
Acclaimed First Nations writers Brooke Blurton, Zac James, Julie Janson and Claire G. Coleman will feature on a panel exploring identity, memory and the ways story continues to shape how we live in the present, whilst researcher and editor Evelyn Araluen will join Dr Tiriki Onus for a keynote and conversation at The Wheeler Centre about what happens when the stories a nation tells about itself begin to unravel.
Blak & Bright is Australia's leading organisation dedicated to showcasing and elevating First Nations literary voices, and shaping Australia's cultural future.
Founded in 2016 as its flagship event, the Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival, it has since established year-round programming, partnering with like-minded organisations across Australia. Blak & Bright is dedicated to celebrating the rich tapestry of First Nations writers across all genres, offering workshops, panels and performances to create distinctive spaces for Blak conversations, and showcase writers at all stages of their careers to an expanding and increasingly diverse audience.
Tickets for the 2026 Blak & Bright Writers Festival are available from 23 July.
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