Two WA Indigenous television projects shortlisted for Digital Originals

Two Western Australian Indigenous television projects are two of 12 projects shortlisted from over 170 submissions Australia-wide for Digital Originals, a partnership between SBS, NITV and Screen Australia.

Digital Originals aims to develop exciting, innovative and risk-taking short-form drama projects to premiere on SBS On Demand and NITV, from emerging screen creatives who are currently under-represented in the sector. This includes people who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse, First Nations Australians, people living with disability, female and gender diverse, LGBTQIA+; and those who are located in regional and remote areas.

Red Dress Woman is a drama/horror series from Gary Hamaguchi (writer/director) and Brooke Collard (producer) follows a teenage Aboriginal girl who must take down a racist superhero terrorising her town, before she becomes its next victim.

Warm Props is a comedy drama series from Jub Clerc (writer/director) and Jodie Bell (producer). 8 hour call. 40 degree heat. Culturally clueless crews and locals who haven’t spoken to each other in decades. What could possibly go wrong with this casting call?

Both teams took part in an exclusive industry workshop last week which will culminate in the opportunity to pitch their projects to Screen Australia, SBS and NITV on 14 June. A select number of teams will be chosen to take their projects into further development and from those, up to three will be chosen for production funding and commissioning with SBS, NITV and Screen Australia.

“We are beyond thrilled to have been shortlisted amongst such a competitive initiative. We feel excited, and a huge responsibility about bringing a First Nations lens to a narrative that is typically misrepresented in mainstream media.” said Brooke Collard and Gary Hamaguchi.

“The 4-day workshop was an amazing opportunity to learn new skills and reanimate dormant ones in a new medium that we have been wanting to explore. All the teams had the most amazing stories and just being surrounded by such creativity is always inspiring.” said Jub Clerc.

Previous successful Digital Originals projects include Western Australian comedy Iggy & Ace, The Tailings, Robbie Hood, Homecoming Queens and A Beginner’s Guide to Grief, dropping on SBS On Demand later this year.

“I’m so proud and excited for the two talented WA Indigenous creative teams, that are amongst the 12 successful applicants from around Australia, for the highly competitive SBS/NITV and Screen Australian Digital Originals. It’s a fantastic opportunity, and I look forward to seeing their unique projects come alive, and to fruition, through this intensive development and production initiative.” said Devina McPherson, Screenwest Indigenous Executive.

“Digital Originals is set to continue its impressive legacy with this year’s cohort – there is a diverse range of projects in the mix from across Australia, with a large First Nations contingent of creatives showcasing unique perspectives on classic genres. I look forward to seeing how the teams further develop their projects throughout the workshop.” said NITV Commissioning Editor, Marissa McDowell.

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