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New release: Windcatcher learning resource

In Windcatcher, ten-year-old Percy Boy Collins and his eclectic crew of friends outsmart a gang of bullies to triumph at their school's athletics carnival, emerging as heroes of their own epic adventure. Windcatcher is rated PG and has a running time of 80 minutes.

Developed for Years 5 to 8, our new education resource provides sequenced learning tasks suitable for a whole-class film study. These English tasks build students’ knowledge of viewing processes, including planning, monitoring, reflecting and reviewing. Behind-the-scenes and promotional materials – including the film poster, trailer and interviews with cast and crew – are incorporated for student engagement and understanding. Links to Version 9 of the Australian Curriculum are also provided.

Windcatcher is currently streaming exclusively on Stan. From 29 July, teachers and schools can also download the film (with an education license) from the ACTF Shop.

Find our free resource here, watch the Windcatcher trailer here, and read the full synopsis of this uplifting Australian screen story below.

Synopsis - Windcatcher

Dive into the heart of a little town called Herbertson with Percy Boy Collins, a ten-year-old Aboriginal speed-demon with a quick wit and a heart brimming with untold secrets. In a home filled with love, laughter, and the challenges of caring for his Aunt Prue who battles dementia, Percy dreams big—of becoming the fastest runner his school has ever seen. All he needs? A pair of lightning-fast Terminal Velocity sports shoes. But the dream isn't just a sprint away, especially with the ‘Wolf Pack’ and their leader, Ben Duncan, the current speed king, blocking the track.

Working early mornings at the local stables, Percy Boy faces his fear of the dark to save up for the shoes, supported by his wise grandfather who encourages him to overcome his fears. Enter Keithy Cobb, the new kid with nerves of... well, not quite steel, and Daisy Hawkins, fierce and fiery with a score to settle. Together, they're not just a trio; they're a force against the Wolf Pack, with a shared mission: to defeat Ben Duncan and the Wolf Pack at the upcoming athletics carnival.

Unexpectedly, Percy Boy begins to experience mysterious phenomena—flickering lights and the appearance of spirits, known as ‘Lost Souls’, revealing a gift Percy Boy is reluctant to accept. Yet, as his grandfather shares the truth of this legacy, Percy sees beyond the track, to a race of a different kind.

Amid their preparation for the big race, Percy Boy and his friends engage in various misadventures to be able to afford to buy the coveted sports shoes. But just when the sports day arrives and promises a showdown, a bushfire threatens the town and sends their plans—and Percy's family—into a whirlwind of danger.

Percy Boy's final dash isn't just about the finish line. It's about facing the fires within and without, about embracing the legacy of those who've passed and the spirits only he can see. Winning barefoot against Ben Duncan is just the start. Percy's real victory is in finding his place in a world where he can catch the wind, guide Lost Souls, and stand tall as the hero of his own incredible adventure.

Join Percy Boy Collins on a riveting journey of discovery, laughter, and courage in Windcatcher. It's not just a story of winning a race; it's about running headlong into destiny, with a pair of spirit-guided shoes you'll never see but will always feel. This is Percy Boy's adventure—where catching the wind is just the beginning.