Warm Props to premiere next month, showcasing beautiful Broome

Western Australian comedy series, Warm Props, will premiere on NITV and SBS On Demand on 26 June – as one of three new scripted series in this year’s Digital Originals showcase.

Created by award-winning First Nations director Jub Clerc (Mystery Road: Origin, Sweet As), Warm Props is set in Broome (Rubibi) and traces Jub’s personal experiences as an extras casting director, writer, director and actor in theatre, film and television.

The heartening series is brought to life with the help of talented Western Australian co-writer Kimberley Benjamin (Our Medicine, Big Backyard Quiz), directed by Clerc and Benjamin, and produced by Broome-based Jodie Bell for Ramu Productions.

Warm Props takes audiences behind the scenes with Charlie (Tehya Makani), who returns to a chaotic film shoot in her hometown in Western Australia and must face her past as her narcissistic boss threatens the stability of her career and personal life.

It also stars Rarriwuy Hick (True Colours, Erotic Stories, Wentworth, Redfern Now) and Jillian Nguyen (Apple Cider Vinegar, Hungry Ghosts).

Digital Originals is a partnership between SBS, NITV, and Screen Australia that supports emerging talent working on exciting, risk-taking projects. It has proven a pathway for creators to advance their skills and generate interest from local and international markets.

Alumni of the initiative include Western Australian director Stevie Cruz-Martin (The Twelve Season 2, The Tailings, Safe Home) and Western Australian project Iggy & Ace from Hannah Ngo (Latecomers, Bird Drone) and Factor 30 Films (Population 11, Hounds of Love).

Ramu Productions Producer Jodie Bell said: “I was so honoured to work with Jub and Kimba to bring Jub’s story to the screen. Being able to shoot the entire series in our hometown of Rubibi, using so many locals in front of and behind the camera, is always an amazing experience as we love to showcase our country and our talent.

“It was a long journey and we all learnt so much along the way. Big thanks to the entire team at SBS, Screen Australia and Screenwest for believing in us and nurturing us along the way and to all our deadly cast and crew.”

Screenwest Chief Executive Officer Rikki Lea Bestall said: “This is a collaboration of some of Western Australia’s finest First Nations storytellers and we are so excited to see Jub, Kimba and Jodie’s creativity come together on screen. Screenwest remains dedicated to supporting Western Australian First Nations screen practitioners to continue to develop their craft.”

NITV Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production Dena Curtis said: “Digital Originals is a vital platform that showcases the breadth and boldness of First Nations storytelling and empowers the next generation of trailblazing Indigenous creatives. We’re proud to support these creators bringing their unique visions to the screen and can’t wait to see NITV audiences connect with their work.”

SBS Head of Scripted Nakul Legha said: “Digital Originals is the only initiative of its kind globally and remains unmatched in its ambition, impact, and proven track-record as a launch-pad for the careers of emerging Australian storytellers from under-represented communities.”

Warm Props premieres on Thursday 26 June at 8:30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand.

Production credit: Warm Props is a Ramu Productions production for SBS and NITV. Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with SBS, Screenwest and Lotterywest.

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