Ella (2016)

In 2013, Ella Havelka made a groundbreaking achievement as the first Indigenous dancer to join the prestigious Australian Ballet, an institution with a rich 50-year history. This captivating world premiere, supported by the MIFF Premiere Fund, follows Ella's remarkable journey. A descendant of the Wiradjuri people, she grew up as the only child of a single mother in rural Australia. Her path led her to the National Ballet School and then to the renowned Bangarra Dance Theatre, ultimately culminating in an invitation from David McAllister, the artistic director of The Australian Ballet, to join one of the world's leading ballet companies.