Photos and films from Australia

The Maltese Australian Cultural Week, which is being held between January 22 and 28, includes a photographic exhibition and a festival of Australian films, both at St James Cavalier in Valletta.

The exhibition, Kickin' Up Dust, features 40 striking images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural festivals, held across Australia between August 2002 and February 2003. Four of these festivals have been chosen to showcase the richness and diversity of Australia's indigenous peoples. The exhibition, which is on display from January 16 to February 12 and is the central feature of the annual Cultural Week, aims to raise the profile of both groups.

Kickin' Up Dust continues the proud record of promoting a positive, contemporary image of Australia's indigenous peoples and cultures overseas - a task that the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which commissioned the photographs, has taken to heart.

As part of the Maltese Australian Cultural Week, the Australian High Commission in conjunction with St James Cavalier is screening five movies on a complimentary basis. These include Two Hands, The Bank, Lantana, The Sum Of Us and Getting' Square, which are being screened for free at 7 p.m. between January 23 and 27. Other movies include Crackerjack and Children on the Revolution.

Tickets for the 9 p.m. movies during the week cost Lm1.50, while those on Saturday and Sunday nights cost the usual price of Lm2. The festival is being held between January 22 and 28.