Melbourne International Documentary Film Festival 2025

One of Australia’s rarest and most mysterious birds is disappearing across the country. Shadow in the Reeds captures the stories of the researchers, Traditional Owners, farmers, and community members who are working together to save the Australasian Bittern and restore its wetland habitat.

Recounting his love of the water, Ray Lewis, OAM, snorkels among the vibrant sea life of the marine sanctuary he has helped to protect.

Presented by Costa Georgiadis (Gardening Australia), From the Ground Up celebrates the work of over 500 environmental volunteer groups across Greater Melbourne. These groups restore ecosystems, protect species, and build community. Their efforts not only heal the land but also foster connection, purpose, and wellbeing beyond daily routines.

Saving Spring Creek is a compelling story of grassroots resistance and environmental justice. When development threatens a fragile ecosystem, a determined community rises to defend it. This documentary captures their courage, unity, and hope as they fight to protect threatened species and preserve the valley from irreversible destruction.

Aboriginal rangers in the remote community of Mapoon are faced with the overwhelming task of cleaning up tonnes of plastic waste washing up on their beaches day after day, wave after wave.

Taking us on a journey through the forested hills of the NSW Southern Highlands (Australia), poet and Gunai woman, Kirli Saunders, reflects on the special place the endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo holds in her heart and culture.

Together We Grow shares the uplifting story of Common Unity, a community hub in Lower Hutt, Aotearoa New Zealand. Founded by Julia Milne, it tackles housing, food insecurity, and isolation through urban farming, sewing, and shared meals—offering a powerful, replicable model for building resilient, connected communities worldwide.

Ben & bEartha follows Ben Bushell and his team at Community Compost in Nelson, New Zealand, as they develop bEartha—an innovative composting machine. This documentary highlights how community-led innovation can reduce food waste, cut landfill use, and build healthier soils, offering a scalable model for global sustainability.

The Other Tale of Two Cities reveals the struggles of two communities burdened by underfunded, racially inequitable wastewater systems. Told through voices of residents, advocates, and officials, the film underscores the urgent need for just infrastructure investment—especially as climate change intensifies the consequences of long-standing neglect.

Canvas of Oceans journeys to Hawai‘i for the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, capturing vibrant performances and heartfelt conversations. Directed by Alice Lolohea and Johnson Raela, the film celebrates Pacific identity while confronting the lasting impacts of colonisation and the urgent need to preserve cultural heritage.