Emu Runner takes place in the remote Australian outback town of Brewarrina, where nine-year-old Indigenous girl Gemma (Rhae-Kye Waites) lives with her father Jay Jay (Wayne Blair), a struggling and often-absent mother, and her caring grandmother Darlene (Maryanne Namok).
Gemma is a free spirit who loves to run and explore, but her life is uprooted when her mother suddenly dies. Struggling to cope with her own grief, she forms a bond with a wild emu that appears to be a source of comfort and companionship.
Meanwhile, Jay Jay struggles to take care of his family as he spirals into alcoholism and depression. He also clashes with a young social worker (Georgia Blizzard) who wants to take Gemma away from him and place her in foster care.
As Gemma tries to navigate her own grief and help her father heal, she finds that the emu is a symbol of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
The film, directed by Australian filmmaker Imogen Thomas, explores themes of family, community, and Indigenous cultural identity, as well as the often difficult realities of life in rural Australia. Emu Runner offers a heartfelt and nuanced portrayal of Indigenous Australians and their connection to the land and animals around them.
