For the majority of Melburnians, grabbing a coffee is part of the fundamentals of life. Whether it’s a latte, espresso or skinny soy mocha, we lovingly participate in the estimated two billion cups of coffee drunk globally every day. But how many of us ever think about the story behind the bean?

The debut documentary film by brothers Marc and Nick Francis, Black Gold, is a fascinating observation of the machinations of the international coffee industry. From farmers struggling to survive in Ethiopia to the trading floor of the New York commodities exchange and the competitive world of ‘rock star’ baristas, Black Gold exposes the inequities and complexities of a right to fair trade.

The film-makers use Ethiopia as the focus for an issue having such a devastating effect on so many countries. Known as the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia is home to the best coffee in the world’Black Gold. But with 15 million people depending on coffee for their survival and record low international coffee prices, the farmers are desperate for a fair deal.

Trying to assist is Tadesse Meskela, the Manager of The Oromo Coffee Farmers Co-operative Union in Addis Ababa. His passionate quest to improve the life of the Co-operative workers provides the film-makers with a hero as he searches for buyers willing to pay a little more for his Union beans.

Black Gold shows that we consumers can make a difference. All it takes is the price of a cup of coffee.

The Betel Tree: this short documentary by VCA School of Film and Television graduate Jakeb Anhvu is a poignant reflection on life in Vietnam. A personal and often funny observation, the film captures the sharing of traditions through recollections, relationships and photographs. A sweet short.