WRITING AN D I D SAE
Tarntanya Palti Trukkuku OzAsia Palti Kaurna Yartangka pintyathi. Ngadlurlu Kaurna miyurna tampinthi. Pukiunangku parna yaitya mathanya Wama Tarntanyaku. Ngadlurlu parnaku tapa purruna parnaku Yarta-itya tampinthi. Ngadlurlu namurli tuwilarra nguyanguya muri-itya wapinthi.
Adelaide Festival Centre’s OzAsia Festival is produced on Kaurna land. We respect the Kaurna people as the traditional custodians of the Adelaide Plains. We honour their cultural and spiritual relationship with Country and we do so in the spirit of reconciliation.
The views, ideas and opinions expressed by the “Weekend of Words” speakers and moderators are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or position of Adelaide Festival Centre or its Partners.
With special thanks to:
Welcome to OzAsia Festival’s Weekend of Words!
I’m thrilled to have you join us for a remarkable celebration of writing, culture, and creativity. For three days you’ll be immersed in a series of thought-provoking panels, dynamic discussions, and captivating performances featuring an extraordinary lineup of novelists, journalists, poets, playwrights, performers, and screenwriters from across Australia and Asia.
Held at the iconic Adelaide Festival Centre, OzAsia Festival’s Weekend of Words is proud to be the largest gathering of Asian and Asian Australian writers and thinkers in the country.
This year, I’m excited to host international guests from Sri Lanka, South Korea and Singapore Writers Festival. I’ve done my best to curate a weekend that promises to explore themes of identity, power, culture, community, gender, sexuality, family, and more.
I invite you to engage, reflect, and be inspired. Enjoy the festival and the vibrant conversations it brings!
Curator
WELCOME
OzAsia Festival’s Weekend of Words provides a unique platform for Asian and Asian Australian writers to come together to discuss their work, ideas and inspire audiences.
Join us at Adelaide Festival Centre when we welcome special guests from Singapore Writers Festival, South Korea and Sri Lanka, alongside local and national storytellers and wordsmiths.
We congratulate Joon-Yee Kwok, OzAsia Festival Artistic and Executive Producer, and Sami Shah, OzAsia Festival’s Weekend of Words Program Curator, for putting together a literary feast of thought-provoking panels and conversations.
THE HON. KARLENE MAYWALD
Chair, Adelaide Festival Centre Trust
DOUGLAS GAUTIER AM
CEO & Artistic Director, Adelaide Festival Centre
South Australia is renowned for its remarkable festivals, and we welcome the largest gathering of Asian and Asian Australian writers and thinkers in the country, for OzAsia Festival’s Weekend of Words.
Beginning with the inspirational Opening Night Gala and ending with the hilarious Closing Night Debate, OzAsia Festival’s Weekend of Words features meaningful conversations about writing in all its forms, from literature to poetry, hip hop to stand-up, graphic novels to journalism.
THE HON. ANDREA MICHAELS MP
Minister for Arts, South Australia
Join the conversation and community at OzAsia Festival’s Weekend of Words. We’re bringing together brilliant Asian and Asian Australian writers and thinkers to share their unique insights on the big ideas sparking creativity and shaping our world today.
Be immersed in uplifting and often humourous discussions and debates on culture and creativity. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to spend an inspiring weekend with us!
KWOK
Artistic and Executive Producer, OzAsia Festival JOON-YEE
OPENING NIGHT GALA
“I was supposed to be...”
Join us for an unforgettable evening as a stellar line-up of literary talents complete the sentence: “I was supposed to be…”.
These acclaimed authors and storytellers will share their unique journeys and the unexpected paths their lives and careers have taken.
Hosted by: Sami Shah
Dive into their compelling narratives, where personal aspirations and cultural identities intertwine, creating stories that resonate with authenticity and depth.
Don’t miss this captivating celebration of the power of storytelling.
FREE
DUNSTAN PLAYHOUSE FRI 8 NOV 6pm – 7.30pm Register your interest
Sara M. Saleh
sydney khoo
Shelley Parker-Chan
Anton Hur
Vajra Chandrasekera
Siang Lu
Qin Qin
Lawrence Leung
CLOSING NIGHT DEBATE
Chinese Food vs. Indian Food
CHINESE FOOD
Moderator: Sami Shah
INDIAN FOOD
China or India: Whose century will this be? Who’s the next superpower? Let’s settle this once and for all in the only way that matters, through food.
Dim sum or Daal? Five Spice or Garam Masala? Jasmine or Basmati? Watch a battle where chopsticks will be flung and parathas thrown. It may be vicious, but it’ll also sound delicious.
FREE
DUNSTAN PLAYHOUSE SUN 10 NOV 6pm – 7pm Warning: Coarse language Register your interest
Benjamin Law Sarah Malik Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa
Urvi Majumdar Jason Chong Jennifer Wong
SESSION Sat 9 Nov 11am – 12 noon Space Theatre
1
JOURNALISM, POLITICS
Conflicted Reporting
A panel of foremost journalists explore the ethical dilemmas and personal risks faced in conflict zones, and how impactful great reporting and truthful journalism can be amidst the chaos.
Drew Ambrose
Khalid Amiri
Louisa Lim
Sarah Malik (moderator)
SESSION Sat 9 Nov 11.30am – 12.30pm Artspace
2
FICTION, FANTASY, GRAPHIC NOVELS
Breaking Boundaries of Genre
Defying expectations has never been easy. Explore how our creators push beyond traditional literary boundaries to inform their work in graphic novels, fantasy, and Young Adult fiction.
Vajra Chandrasekera
Benjamin Chee sydney khoo
Shelley Parker-Chan (moderator)
ABC RN’s Stop Everything! Live
ABC’s beloved pop culture show returns to Adelaide for a live recording at OzAsia Festival's Weekend of Words.
Don't miss this special reunion with Beverley Wang and Benjamin Law, joined by very special guests from OzAsia Festival’s Weekend of Words. If past years are anything to go by, there will be plenty of laughs (maybe a few happy tears too).
HOST
BEVERLEY WANG
SESSION Sat 9 Nov 1pm – 2pm Artspace
3
FICTION, CHILDREN’S STORIES, POETRY
Writing from the Heart
SESSIONS
SESSION Sat 9 Nov 2pm – 3pm Space Theatre
4
MEMOIR, POLITICS
The Political is Personal
Explore how poets and writers infuse their work with deep emotion and cultural identity, creating resonant, heartfelt stories that bridge cultural divides and connect us all.
The world we live in informs the ones we create. A discussion on how civil wars and conflict inform and shape ones writing, creating narratives that challenge stereotypes and highlight diverse perspectives.
Keshe Chow
L-FRESH The LION
Sandhya Parappukkaran
Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa (moderator)
Shokoofeh Azar
Yumna Kassab
Sara M. Saleh
Mridula Nath Chakraborty (moderator)
SESSION Sat 9 Nov 2.30pm – 3.30pm Artspace
5
SCREENWRITING
Script to Screen:
The Craft of Screenwriting
Representation on screen is increasing, but challenges remain. This panel of industry experts focuses on the journeys of Asian Australian screenwriters bringing our stories to film and TV.
Mithila Gupta
Lawrence Leung
Urvi Majumdar
Benjamin Law (moderator)
SESSION Sat 9 Nov 3.30pm – 4.30pm Space Theatre
6
FICTION, COMICS, GRAPHIC NOVELS
Speech Bubbles: The Art of the Graphic Novel
Explore the world of graphic novels and comics, focusing on the creative processes, cultural influences, and unique challenges of this compelling storytelling medium.
Rachel Ang
Benjamin Chee
Wayne Rée
Jason Chong (moderator)
SESSION Sat 9 Nov 4pm – 5pm Artspace
7
JOURNALISM
News By Us, For Us
SESSIONS
SESSION Sat 9 Nov 5.30pm – 6.30pm Artspace
8
MEMOIRS
Memories and Memoirs
Experienced journalists share insights into professional challenges and cultural considerations in their critical role of covering stories across the Asian continent and diaspora communities here.
Acclaimed authors Qin Qin and Sita Walker discuss memoir writing, focusing on how their Asian heritage and cultural backgrounds shape their stories. Learn how they write about the past and break stereotypes.
Khalid Amiri
Louisa Lim
Beverley Wang
Drew Ambrose (moderator)
Qin Qin
Sita Walker
Smriti Daniel (moderator)
Rising out of Water
South Australian Playwrights Theatre
Adelaide writerperformers explore concepts of home, the Asian diaspora and decision-making in a transient world.
Presented by OzAsia Festival’s Weekend of Words
Rising out of Water features staged readings of three new performance works by Danielle Lim (The Good Decisions Project), Elvy-Lee Quici (Xuan) and Matt Hawkins (Typhoon) directed by Valerie Berry. Be among the first to see these original scripts in development, followed by a conversation with the creative teams.
SPACE THEATRE
SAT 9 NOV 6.45pm
FREE
Register your interest
Duration 80mins
Suitable 16+
Warning: Themes of death or dying
SESSION Sun 10 Nov 11am – 12 noon Space Theatre
9
FICTION, CHILDREN’S STORIES
Writing for Young Readers
In a world of screens and apps, these authors are inspiring a love for reading in young minds, creating engaging and meaningful children’s literature that blends imagination and cultural heritage.
Melanie La’Brooy
Sandhya Parappukkaran
Gabrielle Wang
Smriti Daniel (moderator)
SESSION Sun 10 Nov 11.30am – 12.30pm Artspace
10
FICTION Representing Culture in Words
Learn how authors infuse their cultural heritage into narratives, creating authentic stories that bridge cultural divides and celebrate the beauty of diversity in literature.
Bora Chung Anton Hur Jessie Tu
Mridula Nath Chakraborty (moderator)
SESSION Sun 10 Nov 12.30pm – 1.30pm Space Theatre
11
JOURNALISM
Tokens:
The Diversity Panel
Everyone on this panel has been blamed for filling a diversity quota. Explore the complexities, challenges, and broader implications of ensuring genuine inclusion.
Benjamin Law
Sarah Malik
Beverley Wang
Smriti Daniel (moderator)
SESSION Sun 10 Nov 1pm – 2pm Artspace
12
FICTION
Asian Myths in YA Literature
These authors are creating whole new worlds, incorporating Asian myths and identities into their stories. Learn how they’re shaping the future of young adult writing with powerful and authentic narratives.
Keshe Chow
Vanessa Len
Michelle See-Tho
Shelley Parker-Chan (moderator)
SESSIONS
SESSION Sun 10 Nov 2pm – 3pm Space Theatre
13
FICTION
The Future of Writing
Gain insights into emerging literary trends, new genres, and how contemporary authors are redefining narratives to reflect a diverse and evolving world.
Bora Chung
Siang Lu
Wayne Rée
Jessie Tu (moderator)
SESSION Sun 10 Nov 2.30pm – 3.30pm Artspace
14
POETRY
Versus and Verses
An electrifying panel on how poets and rappers use their voices to tackle social issues and express personal experiences, from the page to the stage with powerful words.
Sara M. Saleh
Grace Yee
Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa (moderator)
SESSION Sun 10 Nov 3.30pm – 4.30pm Space Theatre
15
COMEDY
Asians are Funny
Join top Asian Australian comedians as they navigate humour, stereotypes, and cultural expectations, sharing hilarious stories and insights into how they break stereotypes and tickle your funny bone.
Jason Chong
Lawrence Leung
Urvi Majumdar
Jennifer Wong (moderator)
SESSION Sun 10 Nov 4pm – 5pm Artspace
FICTION, FANTASY 16
The Fantasy Realm
Fantastical worlds and imaginary beings; discover how fantasy authors weave their cultural heritage into narratives, captivating readers and celebrating the breadth of fantasy literature.
Vajra Chandrasekera
Anton Hur sydney khoo
Shelley Parker-Chan (moderator)
The
Special
Comedy Comedy Special
Urvi
Majumdar
Harry
Jun
Sashi
Perera
Presented by OzAsia Festival’s Weekend of Words
A one-night-only comedy extravaganza, jampacked with a lineup of Asian Australian comedians, hosted by ABC Radio Adelaide’s Jason Chong
Kushi
Venkatesh
Takashi
Wakasugi
Sami
Shah
Lizzy
Hoo
Lawrence
Leung
Jennifer
Wong
MC Jason Chong
WORKSHOPS
Unlock your creativity at OzAsia Festival’s Weekend of Words!
Join our free workshops and dive into the worlds of zine making, screenwriting, comedy writing, and poetry.
Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a seasoned storyteller, these sessions are designed to hone your skills and ignite your passion.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from the best and take your craft to the next level!
Recommended for ages 15+
WORKSHOP Sat 9 Nov 1.30pm – 3pm Drama Centre Rehearsal Room
1
DIY Publishing: Zine Making Workshop with Jessica Zeng
Perfect for creatives, writers, artists, and anyone interested in selfpublishing. Join artist and zine creator Jessica Zeng for a hands-on workshop on the art of zine making. Participants will learn about the history and culture of zines, explore different techniques for creating their own zines, and discover the power of DIY publishing to share unique voices and stories.
Places limited, register on the day
Registration desk at Dunstan Playhouse Reception, open one hour prior to each workshop session
2 WORKSHOP
WORKSHOPS
Sat 9 Nov
4.30pm – 5.30pm
Drama Centre
Rehearsal Room
Rhythms and Rhymes:
Writing Rap and Hip Hop with L-FRESH The LION
Join acclaimed rapper and lyricist L-FRESH The LION for an immersive workshop on writing rap and hip hop. This session is perfect for aspiring rappers, lyricists, and music enthusiasts eager to explore the art of crafting powerful and impactful rap lyrics. Participants will delve into the fundamentals of rap writing, learn about the cultural significance of hip hop, and develop their unique lyrical style.
WORKSHOP
3
Sun 10 Nov 11am – 12.30pm
Drama Centre
Rehearsal Room
Crafting Comedy: Writing Humour with Jennifer Wong
In this engaging and interactive comedy writing workshop, celebrated comedian Jennifer Wong will explore the fundamentals of comedy writing. Designed for aspiring comedians, writers, and anyone interested in adding humour to their work, participants will develop their unique comedic voice, and learn practical techniques for creating hilarious content.
Places limited, register on the day
Places limited, register on the day
Registration desk at Dunstan Playhouse Reception, open one hour prior to each workshop session
WORKSHOPS BOOK CLUB
WORKSHOP
4
Sun 10 Nov
1.30pm – 3pm
Drama Centre
Rehearsal Room
Perfecting the Pitch:
Screenwriting Workshop with Mithila Gupta
Screenwriter Mithila Gupta has years of industry experience and will guide this essential workshop on how to pitch your screenplay. A must-attend for aspiring screenwriters, filmmakers, and writers looking to turn their scripts into successful projects, participants will learn the art of crafting a compelling pitch, understanding the key elements that make a screenplay stand out, and presenting their ideas with confidence.
Places limited, register on the day
BOOK CLUB
Sun 10 Nov 4pm – 5pm
Drama Centre
Rehearsal Room
Salman Rushdie’s Midnight's Children Book Club with Sami Shah
Join us for an engaging book club hosted by OzAsia Festival’s Weekend of Words Program Curator Sami Shah as we delve into Salman Rushdie’s masterpiece, Midnight’s Children. Discover the rich tapestry of history, magical realism and identity woven through the pages of this iconic novel. Whether you’re a longtime Rushdie fan or experiencing his work for the first time, this book club promises an afternoon of stimulating dialogue and deep literary exploration.
Places limited, register on the day
Registration desk at Dunstan Playhouse Reception, open one hour prior to each workshop session
L-FRESH The LION
CLOSING NIGHT PARTY
Experience the electrifying energy of L-FRESH The LION, Australia’s hip hop powerhouse, live on the OzAsia Festival stage.
LUCKY DUMPLING MARKET
OzAsia Festival Stage FREE SUN 10 NOV 7.30pm
Tanabata: Star Village
ArtsPeople with Slow Art Collective
Experience the love story of two stars –Orihime and Hikoboshi – as the Tanabata: Star Village expands and grows in the Dunstan Playhouse Foyer.
Inspired by the vibrant Japanese star festival, get ready for a hands-on art adventure perfect for families! Surrounded by an evolving galaxy of wishes and dreams, make origami and write your wishes on tanzaku cards to hang on a labyrinth of bamboo woven together with recycled materials. This interactive installation brings hopes, dreams, and the joyous spirit of Tanabata to life.
DUNSTAN PLAYHOUSE FOYER
THU 24 OCT – SUN 10 NOV MON – WED & SUN 10am – 4pm THU – SAT 10am – 6pm
Suitable
All ages
Apply for centrED
Image: Lindy Goodwin
VIEW ONLINE
4 The Political is Personal Page 8 3 Writing from the Heart Page 8 1 Conflicted Reporting Page 6 1pm 11am 11.30am 12 noon
ABC RN’S Stop Everything! Live Page 7 2 Breaking Boundaries of Genre Page 6
DRAMA CENTRE REHEARSAL
7 News By Us, For Us Page 10 4pm 6 Speech Bubbles: The Art of the Graphic Novel Page 9
5 Script to Screen: The Craft of Screenwriting Page 9 WORKSHOP 1 DIY Publishing: Zine Making Workshop Page 17 WORKSHOP 2 Rhythms and Rhymes: Writing Rap and Hip Hop Page 18 Rising out of Water Page 11 8pm
8 Memories and Memoirs Page 10
SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER
SPACE THEATRE TIME ARTSPACE
1pm 11am 11.30am 12 noon 12.30pm 1.30pm 2pm 2.30pm 3pm 3.30pm 4.30pm 5pm
4pm
9 Writing for Young Readers Page 12
10 Representing Culture in Words Page 12
DRAMA CENTRE REHEARSAL ROOM
WORKSHOP 3
Crafting Comedy: Writing Humour Page 18
11 Tokens: The Diversity Panel Page 13
13 The Future of Writing Page 14
12 Asian Myths in YA Literature Page 13
14 Versus and Verses Page 14
WORKSHOP 4 Perfecting the Pitch: Screenwriting Workshop Page 19
15 Asians are Funny Page 15
16 The Fantasy Realm Page 15
DUNSTAN PLAYHOUSE
Opening Night Gala: “I was supposed to be...” 6pm Page 4 The Special Comedy Comedy Special 8pm Page 16
Closing Night Debate: Chinese Food vs. Indian Food 6pm Page 5 FRI 8 NOV SAT 9 NOV SUN 10 NOV
BOOK CLUB Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children Page 19
L-FRESH The LION
Closing Night Party Lucky Dumpling Market 7.30pm Page 20
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS
This is a page where you can note down sessions you want to see, books you want to read, information you want to keep from the sessions you attend… or you can let your mind wander and doodle instead.
ZINE FAIR
Dive into the creative world of zines at our pop-up Zine Fair, happening alongside OzAsia Festival's Weekend of Words.
Whether you’re looking to browse, buy, or swap your favourite zines, this is the perfect spot to discover local rising talent, independent and DIY publishers. Join us for a celebration of grassroots publishing and hands-on creativity.
Sat 9 – Sun 10 Nov
BOOK SHOP
Add to your ‘To Be Read’ pile at our book shop in between sessions and workshops.
Open all weekend, signed books and comics authored by our remarkable speakers and moderators will be available for purchase.
Fri 8 – Sun 10 Nov
Dunstan Playhouse foyer
Our Modern Asian Australian Identity
Asia Society Australia
Leading Asian Australian voices from diplomacy, business, and the arts will share their insights on strengthening Australia-Asia ties. Discover how Australia’s Asian communities are shaping the nation’s future. Be part of the conversation and network with like-minded individuals.
DINING OPTIONS
Lucky Dumpling Market
Indulge your senses with the sights, sounds, taste, and smells of a bustling Asian open-air food market along the banks of Karrawirra Parri/River Torrens! With live music, bubble tea, baos, noodles, and of course, dumplings, Lucky Dumpling Market is the perfect place to grab a bite. Brought to you by OzAsia Festival and Gluttony.
Elder Park
Thu 24 Oct – Sun 10 Nov Tue – Fri: 4.30pm – late Sat – Sun: 12 noon – late Closed Mondays
River Deck Food Court
Adelaide Festival Centre’s own chefs are providing hot, tasty snacks from India to Vietnam! Sit by the river and dive into some gorgeous, quick, and easy cuisine at OzAsia Festival.
River Deck
Thu 24 – Sat 26 Oct
Wed 30 Oct – Sat 2 Nov Wed 6 – Sun 10 Nov 6pm – late
SPEAKERS
DREW AMBROSE
Kamilaroi Country, (Sydney), Australia
Drew Ambrose is an international correspondent, series producer, and investigative journalist who specialises in reporting on Human Rights and Global Affairs. He is known for his intrepid documentarymaking across the world for Al Jazeera English programmes unit. Drew’s journalism has won over 45 awards.
KHALID AMIRI
Naarm, (Melbourne), Australia
Khalid Amiri, an Afghan refugee and former journalist for Radio Television of Afghanistan, fled Kabul after the Taliban takeover. Now a refugee rights activist, he advocates for Afghan people suffering in Afghanistan. He holds a Master’s degree from the University of Melbourne.
RACHEL ANG
Wurundjeri Country, (Melbourne), Australia
Rachel Ang is an artist and writer who makes comics. Their work has previously been published in international journals such as The New Yorker and kuš!, The Age, and Meanjin. Their first book, Swimsuit, won a Silver Ledger from the Comic Arts Awards of Australia.
SHOKOOFEH AZAR
Wadawurrung Country, (Melbourne), Australia
Shokoofeh Azar is an IranianAustralian author and journalist known for her evocative storytelling and poetic prose. Her work often explores themes of religious and political pressures, displacement, resilience, and the intersection of mythology and reality, drawing heavily on her rich cultural heritage and personal experiences.
Sessions 1, 7
Sessions 1, 7
Session 6
Session 4
MRIDULA NATH CHAKRABORTY
Boonwurrung Country, (Melbourne), Australia
Mridula researches and teaches multicultural and postcolonial literatures, with an emphasis on diasporic writings of South Asia around the world (including in Asia, Africa and the Americas), Asian literatures in translation, and culinary cultures.
VAJRA CHANDRASEKERA
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Vajra Chandrasekera is from Colombo, Sri Lanka and is online at vajra.me His debut novel, The Saint of Bright Doors, won the Nebula, Locus, and Crawford awards, and was a New York Times Notable Book of 2023. His second novel Rakesfall is out now.
BENJAMIN CHEE JASON
CHONG
Benjamin Chee enjoys mashing up genres and themes in the comics he draws. He is the co-creator of Work-Life Balance: Malevolent Managers and Folkloric Freelancers, winner of Best Literary Work and Book of the Year at the 2023 Singapore Book Awards.
Jason has been performing standup comedy for more than 20 years, appearing in festivals around the world, radio, and TV. You can hear Jason presenting the Evenings Program on ABC Local Radio (SA, NT and Broken Hill).
Sessions 4, 10
Sessions 2, 16 and Opening Night Gala
Sessions 2, 6
Sessions 6, 15 and Closing Night Debate
Singapore Kaurna Country, (Adelaide), Australia
SPEAKERS
KESHE CHOW BORA CHUNG
Naarm, (Melbourne), Australia Pohang, South Korea
Keshe is a multiaward winning author of fantasy, romance, and speculative fiction. Her debut novel, The Girl With No Reflection, was released this year with Penguin Australia. Currently, she lives in Naarm with her partner, kids, her cat, and far too many houseplants.
Bora is the author of Cursed Bunny and Your Utopia. Cursed Bunny was shortlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2022. Bora likes dark, magical tales and stories about strong women battling to survive in an unjust, violent world.
Sessions 3, 12 Sessions 10, 13
SMRITI DANIEL MITHILA GUPTA
Smriti Daniel has followed her diverse interests across a number of subjects ranging from the arts to science and health reportage. Her byline has appeared in The Guardian, ABC, and Reuters among others. She is currently the Digital Manager at CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency.
Mithila is a highly experienced creator/writer/ producer who has written popular Australian drama for 15 years. She has recently created and showrun Four Years Later, an Indian/Aussie romance for SBS. She carries a slate of global projects across Australia, India, and the US.
Session 8, 9, 11
Session 5 and Workshop: Perfecting the Pitch
Kaurna Country, (Adelaide), Australia
Gadigal Country, (Sydney), Australia
ANTON HUR YUMNA KASSAB
Anton Hur is the author of Toward Eternity and No One Told Me Not To. As a translator, he was double longlisted and shortlisted for the 2022 International Booker Prize. Anton resides in Seoul.
Yumna Kassab is a writer based in Sydney. She is the author of The House of Youssef, Australiana, and The Lovers. Her latest book is Politica. It is available through Ultimo Press. She is the inaugural Parramatta Laureate in Literature.
SUKHJIT KAUR KHALSA
Sukhjit is a writer, performer, producer, and cultural leader based in Boorloo. Sukhjit is the Executive Director of The Blue Room Theatre and her debut novel will be released in 2025 with Upswell Publishing.
SYDNEY KHOO
sydney khoo is a nonbinary and aromantic asexual writer, born on Dharawal Country, to Malaysian Chinese parents. Though typically drinking bubble tea in Cabramatta, or reading fanfiction in a McDonald’s carpark, they can occasionally be found writing at cafés with their dog Gizmo.
Sessions 10, 16 and Opening Night Gala
Session 4
Sessions 3, 14 and Closing Night Debate
Sessions 2, 16 and Opening Night Gala
Noongar Country, (Perth), Australia
Dharawal Country, (Sydney), Australia
Seoul, South Korea
Dharug Country, (Sydney), Australia
SPEAKERS
MELANIE LA’BROOY
Bunurong & Naarm, (Melbourne), Australia
Melanie La’Brooy writes funny, fantasy adventure novels for middlegrade readers. Her debut children’s novel, The Wintrish Girl, won the Aurealis Award for Best Children’s Fiction and the DANZ Children’s Book Award. Her new novel, The Lost History, is the sequel to The Wintrish Girl.
BENJAMIN LAW VANESSA LEN
Gadigal Country, (Sydney), Australia
Benjamin Law is an essayist, journalist, author, screenwriter, and playwright. He’s best known for the books The Family Law, Gaysia, Moral Panic 101, Growing Up Queer in Australia, and the TV shows The Family Law and Wellmania.
Wurundjeri Country, (Melbourne), Australia
Vanessa Len is an internationally bestselling Australian author and educational editor. Her first novel, Only a Monster, won the 2022 Aurealis Award for Best Young Adult Novel, and has been translated into nine languages. The sequel, Never a Hero, is out now.
LAWRENCE LEUNG
Naarm, Australia
Lawrence Leung is a screenwriter, actor, and awardwinning standup comedian. He created the ABC1 comedies Lawrence Leung’s Unbelievable and Choose Your Own Adventure. He also hosted the TV series Our Brain and was recently a writer/performer for WTFAQ on ABC1.
Session 9
Sessions 5, 11, Stop Everything! Live, and Closing Night Debate
Session 12
Sessions 5, 15 and Opening Night Gala
LOUISA LIM L-FRESH THE LION SIANG LU
Louisa Lim’s book The People’s Republic of Amnesia was shortlisted for the Orwell Prize and the Helen Bernstein Book Award for Excellence in Journalism. Louisa has reported for The New York Times, Washington Post and Guardian, and was the correspondent for BBC and NPR for a decade. She currently teaches at the University of Melbourne.
Sessions 1, 7
ARIA Award and Double J Artist of the Year nominee, L-FRESH The LION has shared the stage with the likes of Nas and Sir Elton John. He is a contributing writer to Sweatshop Literacy Movement’s Another Australia anthology and has had his written poetry commissioned and published by Red Room Poetry.
Siang Lu is the author of Ghost Cities and the multi-awardwinning The Whitewash, which won Audiobook of the Year at the 2023 ABIAs and the Glendower Emerging Writer Award at the Queensland Literary Awards. He was named a Top 40 Under 40 Asian Australian in 2023.
URVI MAJUMDAR
Urvi Majumdar is a stand-up comedian, writer, producer, and actor. She has written for The Project and The Weekly, and recently wrote and starred in her own online series, Urvi Went To An All Girls’ School, as a part of the ABC Freshblood initiative.
Session 3 and Workshop: Rhythms and Rhymes
Session 13 and Opening Night Gala
Sessions 5, 15 and Closing Night Debate
Naarm, (Melbourne), Australia
Naarm, Australia
Dharawal Country, (Sydney), Australia
Turrbal Country, (Brisbane), Australia
SPEAKERS
SARAH MALIK
Bediagal Land (Sydney), Australia
Sarah Malik is a Walkley-award winning Australian investigative journalist, author, and television presenter. She is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir Desi Girl: On Feminism, Race, Faith and Belonging, and a travel anthology Safar: Muslim women’s stories of travel and transformation.
SANDHYA PARAPPUKKARAN
Turrbal Country, (Brisbane), Australia
Sandhya Parappukkaran writes stories which are inspired by her childhood experiences traversing different cultures and are steeped in the theme of ‘embracing your cultural identity’. Scrumptious food and glimpses of nature inspired by her Kerala Indian heritage feature heavily when she sits down to write.
SHELLEY PARKERCHAN
Wurundjeri Country, (Naarm), Australia
Shelley ParkerChan is the author of award-winning epic fantasy novels in which murderous queers make extremely bad life decisions. Their bestselling series, The Radiant Emperor, has been translated into 15 languages. They live in Melbourne, Australia.
QIN QIN
Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country, (Canberra), Australia
Qin Qin’s mission is to live consciously and help others do the same. Born in China and raised in Canberra, she defied expectations to find success on her own terms. Her memoir, Model Minority Gone Rogue, details her journey of choosing love over fear.
Sessions 1, 11 and Closing Night Debate
Sessions 3, 9
Sessions 2, 12, 16 and Opening Night Gala
Session 8 and Opening Night Gala
WAYNE RÉE SARA M. SALEH
Singapore Bidjigal Country, (Sydney), Australia
Wayne Rée is the co-creator of the awardwinning prose/ comics hybrid, Work-Life Balance: Malevolent Managers and Folkloric Freelancers. In 2023, Wayne was a resident at the National Centre for Writing in Norwich, where he started work on his first novel.
Sara M. Saleh is a writer, human rights lawyer, and the daughter of Palestinian, Lebanese, and Egyptian migrants. Her first novel Songs for the Dead and the Living and first poetry collection The Flirtation of Girls were both released in 2023.
MICHELLE SEE-THO
Boonwurrung Country, (Melbourne), Australia
Michelle See-Tho is a freelance writer. Her work has appeared in Kill Your Darlings, Meanjin, The Big Issue Fiction Edition, and more. Her debut novel, Jade and Emerald, won the 2023 Penguin Literary Prize and is out now.
SAMI SHAH
Naarm, (Melbourne), Australia
Sami Shah is a multi-award-winning comedian, writer, and broadcaster. His autobiography I, Migrant was nominated for major literary awards, and his urban fantasy novel Boy of Fire and Earth and non-fiction work Islamic Republic of Australia received critical acclaim. He’s written multiple documentaries, and serves as Ambassador-atLarge for PEN Melbourne.
Sessions 6, 13
Sessions 4, 14 and Opening Night Gala
Session 12
Opening Night Gala, Closing Night Debate and Book Club
SPEAKERS SITA
JESSIE TU
Wangal Country, (Sydney), Australia
Jessie Tu is a book critic at The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, and a journalist for Women’s Agenda. Her debut novel, A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing, won the ABIA for 2020 Literary Fiction Book of the Year. The Honeyeater is her second novel.
WALKER
Turrbal Country, (Brisbane), Australia
Sita Walker is a Literature teacher in Brisbane. Her debut memoir, The God of No Good (2023), won both the Queensland and New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards People’s Choice. Sita has also written for Red Magazine (UK), The Guardian, and The Griffith Review.
BEVERLEY WANG GABRIELLE WANG
Wurundjeri Country, (Melbourne), Australia
Beverley Wang is the ABC’s National Culture correspondent. She hosts the pop culture show Stop Everything! and Life Matters on Fridays on ABC RN, and is a regular contributor to ABC News Breakfast. Beverley is Taiwanese Canadian, based in Melbourne.
Wurundjeri Country,
Australia
Gabrielle Wang is an award-winning children’s author of more than twenty books. She is third-generation Chinese Australian. Gabrielle’s books are a blend of Eastern and Western culture with a touch of fantasy. Gabrielle was the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2022 and 2023.
Sessions 10, 13
Session 8
Sessions 7, 11 and Stop Everything! Live
Session 9
(Melbourne),
JENNIFER WONG
Cammeraygal Country, (Sydney), Australia
Jennifer Wong is a writer, comedian, presenter of Chopsticks or Fork? (ABC), and columnist for The Guardian. Her humorous essays and reporting about food, culture, and mental health have been published by ABC Everyday, ABC News, Monocle, SBS Food, and SBS News.
GRACE YEE
Wurundjeri Country, (Melbourne), Australia
Grace Yee is a poet and writer. She is the author of Chinese Fish, winner of the Victorian Prize for Literature, and the Mary and Peter Biggs Award for Poetry, Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.
JESSICA ZENG
Kaurna Country, (Adelaide), Australia
Jessica Zeng is an Adelaide-based illustrator and zine-maker working under the name Ban-She. Their work explores feminist and political ideas in an accessible and light-hearted way. Ban-She has been a regular fixture at Adelaide small press markets selling zines (including Home Comforts, Buttered Toast and Cats Cats Cats), prints, and other artistic creations.
Writers appearing as part of OzAsia Festival’s Weekend of Words and Singapore Writers Festival Writers Exchange with support from the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body: Benjamin Chee (Singapore)
Sarah Malik (Australia) Wayne Rée (Singapore)
Gabrielle Wang (Australia)
Writers appearing at OzAsia Festival’s Weekend of Words with support from the Korean Cultural Centre:
Bora Chung Anton Hur
Session 15, Workshop: Crafting Comedy, and Closing Night Debate
Session 14
Workshop: DIY Publishing: Zine Making
READING LIST OZASIA FESTIVAL'S WEEKEND OF WORDS 2024
TITLE AUTHOR
Adult The Saint of Bright Doors
Fantasy Rakesfall
Toward Eternity
She Who Became the Sun
He Who Drowned the World
Contemp-
orary
Fiction
Children's
Books
Comic
Books
Nonfiction
The Lovers
Politica
The Wedding Planner
Ghost Cities
The Whitewash
Songs for the Dead and Living
A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing
The Honeyeater
The Wintrish Girl
The Boy Who Tried to Shrink His Name
Stay for Dinner
Amma’s Sari: A Picture Book
Words That Taste Like Home
Zadie Ma and the God Who Chased the Moon
Ting Ting the Ghosthunter
A Ghost in My Suitcase
I Ate the Whole World to Find You
Swimsuit
Work-Life Balance
World’s Apart
The Family Law
and Gaysia: Adventures in the Queer East
Memoirs
Poetry
Indelible City
The People’s Republic of Amnesia
Desi Girl
Safar
Model Minority Gone Rogue
The God of No Good
Chopsticks or Fork?
The Flirtation of Girls
Chinese Fish
Research Being Bengali: At home and in the world
Wings: the story of the Sunera Foundation
Short Cursed Bunny
Stories Your Utopia
The House of Youssef
Australiana
Young The Enlightenment of the Greengage Tree
Adult
Fiction
The Girl With No Reflection
The Spider and Her Demons
Only a Monster
Never a Hero
Jade and Emerald
Vajra Chandrasekera
Vajra Chandrasekera
Anton Hur
Shelley Parker-Chan
Shelley Parker-Chan
Yumna Kassab
Yumna Kassab
Melanie La’Brooy
Siang Lu
Siang Lu
Sara M. Saleh
Jessie Tu
Jessie Tu
Melanie La’Brooy
Sandhya Parappukkaran
Sandhya Parappukkaran
Sandhya Parappukkaran
Sandhya Parappukkaran
Gabrielle Wang
Gabrielle Wang
Gabrielle Wang
Rachel Ang
Rachel Ang
Benjamin Chee & Wayne Rée
Wayne Rée
Benjamin Law
Benjamin Law
Louisa Lim
Louisa Lim
Sarah Malik
Sarah Malik
Qin Qin
Sita Walker
Jennifer Wong
Sara M. Saleh
Grace Yee
Mridula Nath Chakraborty
Smriti Daniel
Bora Chung
Bora Chung
Yumna Kassab
Yumna Kassab
Shokoofeh Azar
Keshe Chow
sydney khoo
Vanessa Len
Vanessa Len
Michelle See-Tho
24OCT–10NOV
THEATRE / MUSIC COMEDY / DANCE WRITING / VISUAL ARTS FREE EVENTS
Support Weekend of Words and OzAsia Festival’s mission to nurture the next generation of Asian-Australian writers and artists.
Your gift will leave a legacy and have a lasting impact for future festivals
GETTING HERE
HOW TO GET HERE
Pedestrian and vehicle access is open around Adelaide Festival Centre. The drop off is located on Festival Drive from Montefiore Road for Dunstan Playhouse, Space Theatre and Artspace.
For more information, visit: adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/ getting-here
Register your details online or with your ticket purchase to receive an email with up-to-date access details before your visit.
PARKING
Parking is available around the Riverbank Precinct. For visits to Dunstan Playhouse and Space Theatre, the nearest car park is Adelaide Convention Centre’s Riverbank car park, located on Festival Drive.
For parking, access routes and a map, visit:
adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/ your-visit
ACCESS SERVICES
At Adelaide Festival Centre venues, access facilities include a wheelchair loan service, assistive hearing systems, accessible toilets, accessible seat allocations, and access friendly drop off and pick up locations.
For more information, visit: adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/access
For all other disability access enquiries, please contact Patron Services: contact@adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au (08) 8216 8600
BOOKINGS AND REGISTRATION
All events at OzAsia Festival's Weekend of Words are free.
For events requiring registration, please scan the QR code on the brochure’s event page or head to ozasiafestival.com.au
For all other enquiries, contact: ozasia@adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au (08) 8216 8600
Adelaide Festival Centre is located on the banks of the Karrawirra Parri on Kaurna Yarta.
Share Your Experience
Australia’s first capital city arts centre was established in 1973 and is a leading Asia Pacific cultural centre today. As well as presenting theatre, dance, music, and exhibitions, Adelaide Festival Centre creates diverse festivals to inspire, challenge, educate, and entertain. @ozasiafestival
@ozasiafestival
#WeekendOfWords #OzAsia