Documentary Australia

Issue area

Indigenous

Documentaries provide a platform for First Nations voices, narratives, and perspectives to be heard while also informing and educating audiences about the history, struggles, and contemporary issues faced by Indigenous communities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the original inhabitants of this continent, possessing a rich cultural heritage dating back more than 65,000 years. The arrival of British colonisers in 1788 marked the beginning of significant displacement, violence, and dispossession of Indigenous peoples from their lands, including assimilation policies that resulted in the Stolen Generations.  

Today, the disparity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is evident across various social indicators, including health, education, employment, and incarceration rates. 

Documentaries provide a platform for First Nations voices, narratives, and perspectives to be heard while also informing and educating audiences about the history, struggles, and contemporary issues faced by First Nations communities. They often feature Indigenous activists, community leaders, and organisations advocating for Indigenous rights, self-determination, and social justice. 

Documentaries can also focus on initiatives and success stories within First Nations communities, showcasing efforts to improve education outcomes, preserve languages, and empower young Indigenous people. These stories highlight the resilience, strength, and achievements of individuals and communities in the face of adversity. 

 

Completed Documentary Australia-supported Indigenous-themed projects:

The Australian Wars In My Blood It Runs The Final Quarter
Where to watch: SBS Where to watch: Netflix, Apple TV, Vimeo Where to watch: Netflix, Doc Play
Zach’s Ceremony Undermined: Tales from the Kimberley Voices of the River
Where to watch: BINGE, DocPlay, Apple TV Where to watch: Apple TV, Google Play, DocPlay , Vimeo Where to watch: Facebook, Instagram

Films that need your support

Morning Star

Ben Strunin

$8,101

FUNDS RAISED

Gaslight

Madeleine Parry

$0

FUNDS RAISED

Other documentary projects in this issue area

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Ben Strunin

Larry Gurruwiwi must inherit his place as songline custodian and inspire the next generation to keep culture alive

Madeleine Parry

Spin doctor Heidi Gallbladder has just landed her dream job: she gets to pull the strings behind the scenes of the gas industry but little does she know it’s about to unravel.

Vicky Biorac

Inspiring Aboriginal people working in community services help others cope with trauma so that they can achieve success

Hannah De Jorge

Three First Nations Australian teens from remote communities across NSW break barriers, win championships, and shock the world of shearing.

Danielle MacLean and Sal Balharrie

Four girls from the remote Tiwi Islands community set out on a journey to follow their sporting dreams.

Will McCallum

Colonial authorities may have stopped Makassan seafarers from reaching Australia, but the ties to First Nations live on.

Tiger on the Rocks

Completed film

Cathryn Vasseleu

The Tasmanian Tiger once roamed throughout Australia, leaving lasting connections with the land and its first people.

Steven McGregor

First Nations men show defiance towards racism, to love and care for themselves and their families.