Screen Australia's Indigenous Producer Program kicks off

Screen Australia has announced the participants of its Indigenous Producer Program, who have come together in Sydney this week for the first of four development workshops.

The program will also include mentoring support, attendance at various markets and conferences, and will culminate in 3 – 6 month placements at an experienced production company of their choosing. Experienced Indigenous producer Dena Curtis (Logie-nominated Grace Beside Me) is facilitating the program in partnership with Screen Australia's Indigenous Department.

This special professional development initiative aims to increase the number of Indigenous screen producers working in the industry, and create pathways to support Australian Indigenous storytelling both nationally and globally. The Indigenous Producer Program is run in partnership with AFTRS Indigenous Unit, Create NSW, Film Victoria, Screen Canberra, Screen Tasmania, Screen Territory, Screen Queensland, the South Australian Film Corporation, Screenwest, and Screen Producers Australia.

The participants for 2019 are:

• Aaliyah Bradbury who has worked in various roles at the ABC, NITV, Screen Australia, the Australia Council for the Arts and Carriageworks, including as a radio producer and production runner.
• EJ Garrett, a producer, director, videographer and writer, specialising in short form content and factual storytelling.
• Filmmaker, actor and writer Karla Hart, who created the Logie-nominated TV series Family Rules for NITV, and has written and directed several short documentaries.
• Taryne Laffar, whose experience includes producing Bingo! and Rainforest Warriorz, as well as series producing online comedy KGB.
• Lisa Maza, a playwright and performer who has also recently created four documentaries including Maza's Got Talent which premiered on NITV.
• Nevanka McKeon, a Canberra-based emerging filmmaker with a passion for storytelling, particularly documentary films.
• Sam Paynter, who has written for children's series Little J & Big Cuz, and is currently working Cook 2020: Our Right of Reply, a joint initiative between Screen Australia and the New Zealand Film Commission.
• Luke Riches, creator of online comedy series KGB and producer of NITV documentary Lost Diamonds.
• Filmmaker Jill Robinson whose work includes short documentary Don't Call Me Beautiful, as well as a number of Our Stories Our Way shorts for NITV.
• Sierra Schrader, who has produced short documentary Electric Mimili, and recently undertook a Director's Attachment with director Rachel Perkins at Blackfella Films.

Journalist and writer/director Mitch Torres is observing the workshops.

Screen Australia's Indigenous Department celebrated 25 years in 2018, and has recently released its new strategy, The Next 25 Years.