Australia’s largest and only gathering dedicated to First Nations writers and storytellers, Blak & Bright Writers Festival, will return to Naarm this September for its fifth instalment – with the full lineup for this year’s event now released.
Running from 3 to 6 September 2026, the four-day festival will bring together some of the country’s most influential First Nations voices, creating a space for audiences to explore the power, complexity and diversity of First Nations storytelling.
The program will feature conversations, workshops, performances and creative experiences across Naarm, with a mix of established writers, emerging storytellers and cultural commentators sharing their perspectives on identity, history, creativity and social issues.
Among the highlights is The Right to Offend at The Wheeler Centre, featuring Evelyn Araluen, Melissa Lucashenko, Chelsea Watego, Tony Armstrong and Rudi Bremer in a discussion about censorship, truth-telling and the politics of public voice.
The festival will also celebrate Blak women’s voices in a free panel featuring Jasmin McGaughey, Samantha Faulkner, Chelsea Watego, Julie Janson and Kirli Saunders, exploring creativity, resistance and the impact of First Nations women shaping culture through storytelling.
Other program highlights include discussions on legacy and the power of words between generations with Tasma Walton, Jared Thomas, Melissa Lucashenko, Bruce Pascoe and Rob Waters, as well as a conversation on queer Blak storytelling with Jake Gablonski, Ellen van Neerven, Luke Patterson and Elijah Money.
Families and younger audiences will also be able to take part in creative workshops exploring Blaktivism, art and storytelling, while events including Dungeons & Dragons & Damper and Gathering will offer unique ways for audiences to connect through imagination and community.
The festival will also feature spoken word performances from writers including Ziggy Ramo, Kirli Saunders and Dakota Feirer, alongside a free writing workshop hosted by Tony Birch.
Bebe Oliver, Artistic Director and CEO at Blak & Bright, said: “This year’s program features the voices of some of the country’s most influential First Nations commentators. From up-and-comers you may never have heard of to the biggest names in the Australian literary scene, we can’t wait to share in the ideas, conversations and workshops which will shape culture, identity, storytelling and social issues moving forward.”
Tickets for the 2026 Blak & Bright Writers Festival are available from 23 July, with registration required for free events. For the full program and tickets, visit https://www.blakandbright.com.au
