Indigenous programs
Practitioner Support
Past programs and projects

The Indigenous Department assists Indigenous screen content practitioners via interships, mentor programs, workshops and conferences. Some highlights include:

Redfern Now workshop with Jimmy McGovern (Jan 2011)

Jimmy McGovern, internationally acclaimed creator and writer of The Street,Cracker and The Lakes, collaborated with Indigenous screenwriters on the development of their story ideas for the Redfern Now series.

Bob Maza Fellowship

The Bob Maza Fellowship commemorates and celebrates the life and work of Bob Maza as a tribute to his passion and commitment to the film and entertainment industry. The fellowship is awarded to an established Indigenous actor or film practitioner to further their professional development, provide longevity in their career and raise their profile internationally. Recipients are:

• 2011 - Wayne Blair
• 2009 - Aaron Fa'aoso
• 2008 - Luke Carroll
• 2007 - Aaron Pedersen
• 2006 - Leah Purcell
• 2005 - Tom E Lewis
  
  

CROSSOVER LAB 2 (4-9 July 2010)

Indigenous Crossover 2 saw five teams with compelling cross-platform proposals come together for a week to put their ideas through a rapid development lab.

CROSSOVER LAB (14-19 February 2010)

In February 2010 the first Indigenous Crossover Lab was held in NSW. Guided by the Crossover team from the UK, practitioners with experience in film, television and a variety of digital media backgrounds came together to test early-concept cross-platform ideas.

Indigenous Producers Initiative (2008/09)

The Producers Initiative continued in 08/09 including a variety of workshops on the various aspects of producing, attendance at local and international conferences and markets, and internships on productions. Three of the participants produced their first short film through the alignment of the Producers Initiative with The New Black short film initiative.

Indigenous Producers Initiative (2007/08)

Created to develop Indigenous film and television producers the initiative aimed to bring creative producers into the industry and provide professional development for less experienced producers working in those areas.
The Indigenous Producers Initiative involved an intensive development plan that covered all aspects of producing and was tailored to suit the needs and skills of participants. The development plan also involved workshops, internships with experienced producers, and helped with developing projects and participation in conferences and markets.

Cinemart Lab (2006/07)

The Indigenous Department partnered with Cinemart to send three Indigenous producers to the Cinemart Lab. This initiative introduced emerging producers to the marketplace in a supported manner with workshops, pitching sessions and networking events.

Writing for Series Television Workshop (2003)

Financed by the AFC, Film Victoria, Pacific Film and Television Commission, ScreenWest, NSW Film and Television Office and South Australian Film Corporation, the Writing for Series Television Workshop catered for eighteen Indigenous writers and producers. The five-day workshop introduced craft skills about the structure of television production equipped Indigenous writers and producers with the skills required to forge connections with the television drama producers and networks in the Australian industry. Participants also completed a three to four week attachment with an Australian television production. The initiative was finalized with a week-long residential development workshop.