Tom “Putuparri” Lawford finds himself torn between two contrasting worlds: his current life in modern society, where he struggles with issues like alcoholism and domestic violence, and his future role as a leader of his community. This future involves reconnecting with his ancestral lands, immersing himself in traditional culture, and taking on the responsibility of passing this heritage to the next generation. Director Nicole Ma dedicated over ten years to capturing Putuparri’s journey, accompanying him and his family on multiple trips to Kurtal in the Kimberley’s Great Sandy Desert. This location holds deep cultural importance as a ceremonial site for rainmaking rituals, and the family is engaged in a legal battle to reclaim their native title over the land. Set against the backdrop of this prolonged struggle for land rights, the MIFF Premiere Fund-supported film “Putuparri and the Rainmakers” unfolds as a poignant and visually stunning narrative of love, hope, and the resilience of Aboriginal law and culture in the face of adversity.