"Jack is one of the most important people in my life. He is f**king unstoppable and I love him deeply for it. This film is a gift to him." - filmmaker Amiel Courtin-Wilson

Jack Charles is Bastardy: a 63-year-old homosexual Aboriginal elder, award-winning actor, professional cat burglar and former junkie. A child of the stolen generation, Charles drifted into Melbourne's bohemian underground in the early 60s, where he found the theatre, a lover, heroin and a talent for cat burglary. Between long stints in jail he's also maintained a successful acting career.

Amiel Courtin-Wilson's (Chasing Buddha) impressionistic portrait captures Jack Charles warts and all, in his many contradictions: a man who evokes a rich sense of poetry and humour, and embodies a streetwise indomitability.

Amiel Courtin Wilson and Philippa Campey are guests of the festival.