WA Indigenous Filmmakers

ScreenWest supports Western Australian Indigenous filmmakers, productions and stories through a variety of funding initiatives that are managed directly by ScreenWest and through the Film and Television Institute (FTI).

As well as these specific Indigenous funding programs, ScreenWest encourages Western Australian Indigenous filmmakers to apply for ScreenWest’s general funding programs and to consider the funding programs offered by the Commonwealth screen agency, Screen Australia.

ScreenWest employs an Indigenous Project Officer, Debra Miller who works closely with the Director of Production Development to promote and foster Indigenous production in the State.

If you would like to receive email notification on the latest Indigenous filmmaking news and funding initiatives, please contact Debra Miller to subscribe to the WA Indigenous Filmmakers (WAIF) newsletter.

Filmmakers who are working with Indigenous people or content should refer to this information;

• Map of Western Australian Indigenous territories
• Permits for filming on Aboriginal Lands
• Protocols for working with Indigenous content or Indigenous communities

Indigenous funding programs supported by ScreenWest

Deadly Yarns

The Deadly Yarns initiative invites Western Australia Indigenous filmmakers to explore 'their best, most personal, funniest or deadliest story' as a short documentary or drama. Deadly Yarns is a joint initiative between ScreenWest, the Film & Television Institute (FTI) and the ABC. For more information and to find out when the next Deadly Yarns round is closing visit the Film and Television Institute (FTI) website.

INDEX

The INDEX initiative is designed to extend the experience of Indigenous filmmakers by supporting the production of short films. INDEX is only open to Indigenous director, writer or producer residents of WA.

Indigenous Community Stories

Indigenous Community Stories is a new initiative which aims to film 100 Western Australian Indigenous stories and digitally archive them so they can be viewed over the next 100 years and beyond. This is a joint initiative between ScreenWest and the Film & Television Institute (FTI), and supported by Lotterywest and the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. See the Funding section of ScreenWest's website for more information.

FTI Indigenous Media Internship

Indigenous Western Australians eager to pursue a career in the film and television industry have a life-changing opportunity through the Indigenous Media Internship initiative supported by ScreenWest and the Film & Television Institute (FTI). The Internship provides two Indigenous people  with a place in FTI's Diploma in Screen and Media (Digital Production) course, followed by a six week project-based work placement at FTI. The Internship was launched in 2008 and will continue in 2009. For more information and how to apply please see the FTI website. 

The New Black

The New Black initiative is run by the Indigenous Branch of Screen Australia in association with ScreenWest and ABC. The initiative will fund six 10-minute dramas, designed to bring Indigenous stories to the screen, authored and crafted by Indigenous people. No experience in television writing or production is required, but a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in this field is essential. To download an application form and for more information, visit the Screen Australia website.

National Indigenous Documentary Fund

NIDF provides Indigenous filmmakers with the opportunity to work on longer format documentaries. This scheme is run by the Indigenous Branch of Screen Australia, in association with SBSi. To download an application form and for more information, visit the Screen Australia website.

Professional Attachments and Mentorships

ScreenWest supports the development of Western Australian filmmakers by funding production companies to provide intermediate and advanced level professional attachments on a feature film, documentary or factual program, animation or television drama. In the 2006/07 financial year 12 Indigenous filmmakers were supported by ScreenWest through a Professional Attachment.

Making Movies Roadshow

The Film & Television Institute's (FTI) Making Movies Roadshow, is a five day introductory filmmaking workshop which tours to regional communities throughout Western Australia. The aim of the program is to increase access to filmmaking for people in regional areas and create new opportunities for storytelling and cultural expression using the medium of digital video.