No Distance Between Us

No Distance Between Us (2018) explores the cultural significance of the largest human fossil footprint site in the world, told through the candid voices of the Traditional Custodians of the Willandra Lakes Region, the Barkandji, Mutthi Mutthi and Ngiyampaa people.

Featuring an internationally significant place that is not accessible to the public and filmed in a unique window of time, before the footprint site was concealed and covered in tonnes of sand for conservation purposes, this film engages with the ancient and continued connection to Country experienced by Australia's First Nations people and their struggle for recognition of Indigenous knowledge.

With a lyrical soundtrack and shot on location in the extraordinary beauty of the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area, Australia, this story captures the enduring spirit and powerful insight of Australia's First Nations people.

Duration: 11 minutes  43 seconds

Credits

Starring: Tanya Charles, Leanne Mitchell,Joan Slade, Daryl Pappin, Ernest Eric Mitchell, Mary Pappin, Pintubi Trackers, Junette Mitchell

Music: “Take Me Back To My Home”, “Granny I Am Home”, “Mungo Man, Mungo Lady” 
written, composed and performed by Ernest Eric Mitchell

Thank you: Barkandji, Mutthi Mutthi and Ngiyampaa tribal groups, Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Aboriginal Advisory Group, Pintubi Trackers - Kumantjai Tjupurulla Angus/Yungut, Kumantjai Japanangka Lewis, Kumantjai Gibson Napanagnka and Kumantjai Gibson Nagamarra, Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association, Peter Bartlett and Cindy Gibson, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area, Mungo National Park staff

Film Production
Producer Director: Vera Hong
Production Coordinators: Leanne Mitchell and Daryl Pappin
Cinematography and Sound: Craig Bender and Vera Hong
Additional Camera: Leanne Mitchell and Daryl Pappin
Aerial Cinematography: Craig Bender 
Editor: Vera Hong
Archive Photos: Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area, Australian Museum, Michael Amendolia
Pintubi Trackers Archive Footage: Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association and Earthbound Consultants

Commissioned by the Australian Museum for the Bayala Nura (Yarning Country) gallery.

Selections:

Global Impact Film Festival , Washington DC, USA 2019
Antenna International Documentary Film Festival, Sydney, Australia 2019
Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival, India 2019
Female Eye Film Festival, Toronto, Canada, 2020
Kendal Mountain Festival, United Kingdom, 2020
Oxford Film Festival, Mississippi USA 2020
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Montana USA 2020 (an Academy Award qualifying festival)
St Kilda Film Festival, Melbourne, Australia 2020 (an Academy Award qualifying festival)
Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival, 2020, USA (an Academy Award qualifying festival)
Environmental Film Festival Australia, 2021
Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) Award finalist in Best Indigenous Video or Website category, 2021