Spotlight on Italian-Australian women
A documentary about the immigrant experience forms the centrepiece of the Italian Film Festival.
Authentic Aussie comedy
Also opening in cinemas this month is Kangaroo, an uplifting family comedy inspired by the real-life Kangaroo Sanctuary in Alice Springs.
The film follows TV presenter Chris Masterman (Ryan Corr), who forms an unlikely bond with 12-year-old Indigenous girl Charlie (Lily Whiteley) after a chance encounter with a kangaroo.
Against the backdrop of Australia’s Red Centre, the duo rescues orphaned joeys while discovering the true meaning of connection and community.
Directed by Kate Woods and grounded in authentic cultural storytelling, Kangaroo promises laughs and moving moments for the whole family.
Prepare to be inspired by Signorinella: Little Miss, a documentary celebrating the tenacity and spirit of Italian-Australian women who played an instrumental role in shaping the community and cultural landscape across the country.
The film shines a well-deserved light on these unsung heroes of the Italian migrant experience, placing women centre stage as they share their personal stories of hardship, resilience, and triumph.
Signorinella: Little Miss is a powerful tribute to the courage, creativity, and quiet strength of these women, capturing a legacy that continues to echo through the community today.
During World War II, when Italian men faced internment due to political circumstances, the women, left alone, did not complain but rather “rolled up their sleeves and got on with it”, actively transforming their situations instead of merely holding the fort.
After the war, a new wave of Italian immigrants arrived, many women among them as proxy brides, stepping into unknown lives with determination. In their new homeland, they worked tirelessly, contributing significantly to their families and communities.
Many took on the vital responsibility of running boarding houses, providing homes for other newly arrived immigrants, while others found ways to earn income through piecework in garment factories, where their skills and dedication proved invaluable.
Italian-Australian women also embarked on entrepreneurial ventures, turning their homes into small businesses such as fruit shops, grocery stores, and tailor services.
This led to a subtle but significant culinary revolution, as exotic vegetables like eggplants and zucchinis began appearing in Australian fruit shops, alongside traditional carrots and potatoes.
They then profoundly revolutionised the culinary scene, with what started as cooking for newly arrived immigrants evolving into the establishment of restaurants that became household names.
Italian food became synonymous with warmth, community, and excellence, fundamentally reshaping Australian dining by replacing tinned spaghetti with authentic regional dishes.
Their influence extended powerfully into the fashion industry, where they transitioned from seamstresses working in backrooms to designers who commanded the catwalks.
Running sewing and knitting workshops from their homes and garages, these migrant women’s strong work ethic and exceptional skills laid the groundwork for a new era in Australian fashion.
Beyond commerce and industry, these women were pioneers in preserving Italian culture and played key roles in establishing the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), which expanded cultural reach and broke down barriers by beaming international movies into Australian homes.
Italian names, despite sometimes being difficult to pronounce, began to appear prominently in politics and entertainment, with a legacy that continues to inspire generations of Italo-Australian women who have shaped their communities while maintaining a vital connection to their heritage.
The film features a diverse and inspiring cast of women who embody these contributions, including proxy bride Carmela Rocca, fashion designer Carla Zampatti, politician Allegra Spender, and entertainer Tina Arena, and is narrated by acclaimed actress Greta Scacchi.
Signorinella: Little Miss will play nationally at the Italian Film Festival in September and will have a general release in October. For details of the festival and screenings near you, click here.
For chance to win tickets to the festival, click here.
