The short period drama film Blackbird sheds a light on some of the experiences faced by ASSI people during this time through the emotive and poignant story of Rosa and Kiko, two young Solomon Islanders who were taken from their Island home in the 1870s to work under slave-like conditions in Mackay’s Pioneer Valley.
Blackbird is not just a film but also a collaborative project that works closely with the ASSI community of QLD in all areas of the development and delivery of this film.
Batalibasi says: “In terms of the story, there are connections to my own heritage. I wanted to concentrate on siblings – and so the main characters, Rosa and Kiko came to be. In the film, they’re from the Malaita, Solomon Islands where my own family live and where three of my own ancestors were taken from. In excess of 9000 Malaitans were taken during the Blackbirding era. So this is my homage to them, and a statement that we haven’t forgotten”.
The short film Blackbird is part of the filmmaker’s Masters of Film and TV at the Victorian College of the Arts and is being filmed over eight days in July in Mackay and will be utilising both professional and non-actors to tell this story.
The premiere screening will be held at the Australian Centre of the Moving Image in Melbourne as part of the VCA graduate screenings.
A crowdfunding project to help fund the Blackbird Film Project has been launched where supporters have the opportunity to be a part helping to get this film made and score some great rewards. www.pozible.com/blackbird

Australian South Sea Islanders planting sugar cane on a plantation at Bingera Queensland ca. 1897 from State Library of Queensland.