"What does freedom mean to a 19-year-old Buddhist girl who dreams of being of a pop star but is living under a repressive military regime?" - Director Juliet Lamont

The western construct of ‘Girl Power' is a relatively new concept in countries such as Myanmar (also known as Burma), where decades of military and social control are slowly being relaxed. Enter Miss Nikki, an Australian who, on the wave of the Asian pop phenomenon, helps guide five young Burmese women in their quest to become a sassy pop group.

Miss Nikki leads her fledgling stars through the music industry maze amid both socio-political repression and the new possibilities of change, including the release from house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi. Universal issues of talent, image, control and identity play out as the girls struggle at once with Myanmar's rigid social mores and a single-minded ambition that could either undermine the whole project or propel them to the top.

Juliet Lamont and Miss Nikki are guests of the festival.

D/S Juliet Lamont P Jessica Douglas-Henry WS Films Transit L English, Burmese w/English subtitles TD HD Cam/2013