Stolen in Poland

The issue being addressed is the need to protect Indigenous Intellectual Property all around the world. And if someone wants to use Traditional knowledge (TK), Genetic Resources (GR) or Cultural Expressions (CE), then people have to ask permission from the owner of that IP (Intellectual Property) They cannot just take it and use it for their own personal or financial gain. Australian Aborigines are the longest continuous race in the world and they are rich in TK, GR and CE. Bibi’s painting style was inspired by her Grandmother Lulugudji, which is her skin name meaning Water Lilli- the Desert Flower. Lulugudji always said, ” To paint country, you have to feel country” and Bibi did that. As a result of extreme trauma when Bibi was young, she used painting to heal herself. She used her grandmother’s advice and painted from her soul. To then have that taken by a white western woman on the other side of the world, without asking, is truly unethical and this documentary will highlight that.

My vision is to highlight the importance of respecting peoples property and to do things the correct way. Some people believe they have the right to take anything from the internet and claim it as their own. I want to open peoples eyes to understand the depth of culture that goes into an Aboriginal painting. That its not just random dots, or brushstrokes. Indigenous Art tell stories. They have a soul and they have cultural relevance. For too long now our Aborigines have been treated as second class citizens. I want to share Bibis journey of trauma and discrimination and show how her resilience and positivity has led her to be on an International stage making changes to legislations that will protect Indigenous Intellectual Property on a Global level. She is a proud Salt Water woman and is always giving back to her community locally and internationally. She is an inspiration to all Aboriginal people and her achievments helps artists from every corner of the world. Her story is relevant!

The Fairmont Hotel in the Blue Mountains has asked to use Bibi’s design to cover all their soft furnishings in their hotel rooms. There is a contract in place and she will be paid. This is the correct way to do business, unlike The Eclipse Hotel in Domaslaw Poland. When I interviewed members of the International Indigenous Caucus when I was filming the signing of the treaty in Geneva, I was shocked at how many similar stories there were to Bibis. Traditional Knowledge and Genetic Resources are being exploited around the world without any form of repatriation. What happened at The United Nations in May was 25 years in the making to get that Treaty signed. When I talk about it to people, they have not heard of it. They all love the story, but had no idea about the treaty and its importance. I hope to show my film on an international platform and bring an awareness to the importance of protecting Indigenous Itellectual Property. 192 nations are represented at WIPO. That’s a big audience.

The United Nations were very accommodating when we were there filming the signing of the Treaty in May 2024. They allowed us access to very sensitive meetings and Diplomatic discussions. They understood the importance of filming this historic moment and how important Bibis input has been in getting the Treaty across the line. Their support was so positive, it was reinforced by an invitation by them to share our Premiere at the UN in 2025. As an Indigenous community leader, and an expert advisor, Bibi is often invited around the world to participate on a panel discussion about indigenous law, GR and the arts. Indigenous Culture IP Law firms King Wood and Mallison and Copyright Agency of Australia, recently hosted Bibi and our film crew to discuss her case and the importance of enforcing laws to protect Indigenous IP. Bibi and I both work with the NSW Dept of Education across several campuses and have access to teachers and principals. Thus far, the support has been overwhelming.

Post-release, engagement will be driven through live Q&A sessions, online discussions, and surprise content drops. Partnerships with art galleries, First Nations cultural organisations, and museums could host themed events and exclusive screenings. Timed releases aligned with significant cultural events and community screenings will deepen viewer engagement and relevance. Continuous monitoring of engagement metrics and feedback will allow for adaptive marketing strategies, ensuring “Stolen in Poland” resonates deeply with its audience.