Cinema Australia's video: Franklin Trailer

Against a backdrop of glorious natural beauty, eighth-generation Tasmanian and environmentalist Oliver Cassidy embarks on a life-changing solo rafting trip down the beautiful yet remote Franklin River. His goal is to retrace his late father’s 14-day expedition to attend the blockade that saved the World-Heritage listed national park from being destroyed by a huge hydroelectric dam project in the early 1980s. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with key players such as former Greens leader Bob Brown and Tasmanian Aboriginal elder Uncle Jim Everett, the eight-year-long “Franklin campaign” is revealed as the most significant environmental protest in Australia's history, and an inspiring example of the power of non-violent direct action to bring about lasting change. Directed and co-written by Kasimir Burgess (The Leunig Fragments), co-written by Claire Smith (ABC Catalyst, Ask The Doctor) and Natasha Pincus (Fell), and produced by Chris Kamen (Small Is Beautiful) – looks at an epochal moment in Australia’s recent history, and an essential event of local environmental activism, but through a distinctly contemporary lens.