PRESS RELEASE
• 3 x 26 minute documentaries from Indigenous filmmakers have commenced filming in October
• Filming to take place in the Pilbara, Kimberley and Perth regions
• Documentaries to be broadcast as part of NITV’s series Defining Moments in 2014
• Logie-winning documentarian, Renee Kennedy, to manage production
ScreenWest and National Indigenous Television’s (NITV) joint Factual Television Initiative is reaching fruition, with three documentaries from three Indigenous filmmakers to commence filming throughout Western Australia this month.
Set to broadcast as part of NITV’s Defining Moments series in 2014, each documentary will explore a pivotal moment in a person’s life, and how that moment has shaped and defined them.
Following a two-day story development workshop delivered by ScreenWest and NITV in August, three filmmakers Tyson Mowarin, Todd Russell and Dot West were each selected to develop their own 26-minute documentary. Mowarin’s story will be will be filmed in Roebourne, West will be shooting in Darwin and Broome, and Russell will be based in Perth.
Metamorflix – the production company of Logie award-winning documentarian Renee Kennedy – was selected to manage the production of the three documentaries. Kennedy’s factual and documentary producer credits include 2011 science documentary The Silent Epidemic which received a 2011 Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) Award, and 2007 documentary Constructing Australia: The Bridge, which won a 2008 Logie Award for Most Outstanding Documentary.
ScreenWest Chief Executive Ian Booth said ScreenWest’s total investment of $305,000 into the Factual Television Initiative provided a fantastic opportunity for these emerging to mid-level West Australian Indigenous filmmakers.
“The WA Indigenous film sector has produced some outstanding screen projects in recent years such as Yagan and Jandamarra's War,” said Mr Booth.
“This is a great opportunity for emerging to mid-level Indigenous filmmakers to add to this list of accomplished documentary projects, and to develop and enhance their skills,” said Mr Booth.
NITV Channel Head Tanya Denning said broadcasting channel were thrilled to be involved with these productions.
“We are certain that these will contribute significantly to the impressive and exciting Indigenous filmmaking projects on NITV in 2014. Furthermore it will cement our dedication to promoting and spreading the messages and experiences of Australia’s first peoples,” she said.
The documentaries are scheduled to be delivered in February 2014.