Five emerging Territory filmmakers have each received $25,000 from the NT Government and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), as part of the SPARK short film initiative.
SPARK is presented in partnership with the Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF) and strengthens career pathways and opportunities within the NT film industry.
The Territory Government, through its agency Screen Territory, has increased its investment in SPARK this year, with the five successful film makers sharing in $125,000 of funding.
To further support collaboration and recovery from the impacts of COVID-19, each film maker is required to collaborate with a Territory composer or musician.
The theme for this year is 'Intergenerational Relationships' and the successful recipients are:
- Darwin Producer/Director Emma Masters' 10-minute documentary Uncle Vic features 92-year old Darwin legend Vic Ludwig whose dedication to the game and his beloved St Mary's Football Club has earned him the title of the longest-ever serving club president in the history of the Australian football. These days, the godfather of the green and gold has a renewed passion - inspiring junior players to focus on being a winner in life as much as one on the field.
- Fresh off the back of directing Jimmy Shu's Taste of the Territory and its nomination for a prestigious Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Naina Sen explores bi-racial identity and generational belonging through Balinese dance with her short doco Poleng.
- Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky producer and Screen Territory's Business Enterprise program recipient Tamarind Tree Pictures is fostering new talent by supporting Aboriginal director Nevanka McKeon with her short documentary Narraku Ngama, Narraku Waku which follows three generations of Yolngu women.
- Central Australian metal band Southeast Desert Metal will make an appearance in Desert Metal Dreaming, examining how this very distinct genre of music is being used to keep traditional knowledge and culture alive. The project is being mentored by Alice Springs-based Chili Films who were also a recipient of Screen Territory's Generate Enterprise program.
- Penelope Paton and Phil Denson will explore the inter-generational world of dance in their 10-minute documentary The Day of a Darwin Dancer, focused on Larrakia man and NT dance icon, Gary Lang. Gary is the founder of the NT Dance Studio and has toured internationally with companies including acclaimed indigenous dance company Bangarra.
