Bridging the Gap: Rising Indigenous filmmakers get deadly

While the annual Deadly Awards highlight the achievements of the Indigenous film and television community, Georgina Pearson looks at how the industry is bridging the gap between our current successes and the professionals of the future.

As Australia rapidly proceeds with the national reconciliation plan, recognition and support of Indigenous talent has hugely increased. But while the film industry has been quick to join this endeavour – the divide between entry-level Indigenous practitioners and Indigenous professionals at the top of their field is still significant – and the importance of workplace equality has never been more relevant.

Screen Australia’s head of Indigenous program, Erica Glynn told Encore that in order for the industry to truly embrace its multicultural roots it is vitally important to accurately convey an Indigenous viewpoint. “This debate has been ongoing for years. Obviously, if this country wants to recognise the diversity of the people who live in it, then we (Indigenous people) are a relatively major sector within this country and we have a right to have our points of view expressed. Everyone knows that. We think we have unique things to offer the world, and those stories can only come from us.”

To continue moving forward it is imperative for initiatives already in place to be furthered – so as to drive not just jobs; but sustainable jobs across every sector of the industry. And already ahead of the curve, Glynn explained that Screen Australia has been implementing such plans for years. “We have always run these types of initiatives where we work very closely with filmmakers – some of them are fairly new to screen – but have a very keen interest to be involved in the industry. We have been doing this for fifteen years, so that’s our input into that. Giving Indigenous people hands on practice to make their stories. Currently there are a few different plans in place. Screen Australia is part of the Media Reconciliation Ring, and the National Indigenous Documentary Fund. We also launched the Short Film initiative Flash Black.”