Araluen Arts Centre: 
MASIFF | On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
Dark comedy meets surrealist invention in this Cannes-winning film, tackling trauma with wit, absurdity and bold imagination.
On an empty road in the middle of the night, Shula stumbles across the body of her uncle. As funeral proceedings begin, she and her cousins are forced to confront the buried secrets of their middle-class Zambian family in filmmaker Rungano Nyoni’s surreal and vibrant reckoning with the lies we tell ourselves.
As the funeral unfolds, past traumas resurface to reveal a community strained by secrecy, sexism and greed. Nyoni weaves dreams, apparitions and even children’s television into the overwrought rituals, creating a drama that balances humour with unsettling truths. Intricately rooted in Zambia, the film reveals how cultural silence around abuse shapes complex family ties.
Contains indirect references to family sexual abuse.
Director: Rungano Nynoi | Year: 2024 | Rating: M | Runtime: 99 mins | Country: Zambia | Genre: Drama, comedy | Language: Bemba with English subtitles
Accompanying Short: I’m The Most Racist Person I Know
When Lali unexpectedly goes on a date with another woman of colour, it unravels prejudices she has long ignored.
Director: Suriyna Sivashanker | Year: 2024 | Rating: M | Runtime: 13 mins | Country: Australia | Genre: Comedy, LGBTQIA+ | Language: English
Doors Open: 4:30 pm | Screening Starts: 5:00 pm
Gallery
MPARNTWE ALICE SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
From 9 to 19 October 2025, MASIFF will take over the Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs Desert Park and Alice Springs Cinema, delivering an unforgettable program of local, national and international cinema right here in the Red Centre.
We believe in the power of film to do more than entertain - it can inspire connection, challenge boundaries, and spark important conversations. MASIFF fosters intercultural understanding by bringing diverse communities together through shared stories and lived experiences.
At the same time, the festival shines a spotlight on regional storytelling, celebrating the creativity of Central Australian filmmakers and amplifying remote voices that deserve to be heard. By pairing local talent with films from across the globe, MASIFF creates a unique cultural exchange that honours the Red Centre and connects it to the wider world.
Produced by Red Hot Arts with the generous support of the Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF) and the Darwin Film Society.
For more infomation visit Mpartnwe Alice Springs International Film
Dates
Times
Doors Open: 4.30 pm
Screening Starts: 5:00 pm
Duration
On Becoming a Guinea Fowl: 99 minutes
I'm The Most Racist Pwerson I Know: 13 minutes
Interval
None
Prices
Standard $20
Concession $15
Our concession price is for anyone who may face financial barriers to attending the arts — including concession card holders, young people, and those in insecure or low-paid work.
BLAKTIX $10
BLAKTIX are equity tickets available to all First Nations peoples. They are offered to support access and opportunity, in recognition that this event takes place on unceded Arrernte Country.
Disability Complimentary Companion Card - FREE
Companion Card holders are warmly welcomed — just bring your card along on arrival.
Festival Pass $160
For all films. That’s less than $12 each, saving you over $100 (40% off).
Genre
Location
Extra information
Accessibility
Rating
Warnings
Contains indirect references to family sexual abuse.
