Celebrating excellence in First Nations scripted projects this NAIDOC Week
This NAIDOC Week, we are celebrating achievement in scripted film and television written and directed by, and featuring incredible First Nations talent.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following article contains images and names of people who have died.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC week – an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
At Screenwest, we are celebrating achievement in scripted film and television written and directed by, and featuring incredible First Nations talent.
Scripted projects filmed here in Western Australia include:
RECKLESS (2025)
BBC Studios Productions Australia
Reckless, Episode 1. Hunter Page-Lochard and Tasma Walton. Photo by David Dare Parker © BBC Studios Production Australia
Feuding siblings must cooperate after a hit-and-run accident in Fremantle leads to unexpected chaos throughout their community.
The series stars Tasma Walton and 2026 Logie nominee for Best Lead Actor in a Drama, Hunter Page-Lochard.
Key WA filming location: Walyalup/ Fremantle
Where to watch? SBS On Demand
WARM PROPS (2025)
Ramu Productions
Ilijah (Nelson Baker), Charlie (Tehya Makani) and Jilby (Rarriwuy Hick) in Warm Props. Photo by Michael Jalaru Torres © Ramu Productions.
Caught between set life and home life, Charlie Flogim is thrust back to her hometown of Broome where she is forced to deal with a chaotic film shoot, narcissistic boss and face the one person she vowed never to see again.
Created by award-winning writer and director, Jub Clerc, and Kimberly Benjamin, the series was nominated for Best Online Comedy at the 2026 AACTA Awards.
Key WA filming location: The Kimberley
Where to watch? SBS On Demand
SWEET AS (2022)
Arenamedia
Shantae Barnes-Cowan as Murra in Sweet As. Photo by Nic Duncan © Arenamedia Pty Ltd
This multi-award-winning film follows 16-year-old Murra, who is on the verge of self-destruction. That is, until her policeman uncle secures an unusual lifeline: a “photo-safari for at-risk kids”. Murra isn’t entirely convinced, but she soon joins cantankerous Kylie, uptight Sean, happy-go-lucky Elvis, and team leaders Fernando and Mitch on a transformative bus trip through the Pilbara.
Key WA filming location: Marapikurrinya/Port Hedland
Where to watch? SBS On Demand and Netflix
SATELLITE BOY (2012)
Satellite Films
Cameron Wallaby as Pete and David Gulpilil as Jagamarra in Satellite Boy. A Satellite Films production. Photo by Matt Nettheim.
Abandoned by his mother, 10-year-old Pete (Cameron Wallaby), lives with his elderly grandfather, Jagamarra (David Gulpilil), in a deserted outdoor cinema of outback town Wyndham.
When his grandfather’s home is threatened with demolition, Pete sees his world in jeopardy and with his best friend, Kalmain (Joseph Pedley), sets off for the city. Together the boys travel through epic Kimberley country and when they get lost in the bush, Pete and Kalmain find true friendship.
Satellite Boy won the International Jury Award for Best Feature Film at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Key WA filming locations: The Kimberley
Where to watch? SBS On Demand (from 3 July)
MAD BASTARDS (2010)
Bush Turkey Films
Dean Daley-Jones as TJ in Mad Bastards. Courtesy of Transmission Films.
TJ is a man on the run from himself. His quest to find the son he’s never known takes him on a journey across the remote and stunning Kimberley landscape, where he questions his life of violence. In the frontier town of ‘Five Rivers’ TJ meets his match in former ‘Mad Bastard’ turned local cop Texas, but he also finds Bullet, his long-lost son here, and his personal transformation begins.
The film was nominated for multiple AACTA Awards including Best Film and Best Original Screenplay and won the 2011 Deadly Award for Film of the Year (National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Music, Sport, Entertainment & Community Awards).
Key WA filming location: The Kimberley
Where to watch? SBS On Demand and Netflix
MYSTERY ROAD: ORIGIN Season 1 (2021) and Season 2 (2025)
Bunya Productions
Mystery Road: Origin, Season 2 Episode 4. Mark Coles Smith as Det Jay Swan. Photo by David Dare Parker © 2025 Bunya Productions
Young police constable Jay Swan starts a new job in an outback mining town, where he spent his youth. Whilst investigating a series of robberies and pursuing the truth behind a personal tragedy, he meets the love of his life.
Mystery Road: Origin Season Two was recently nominated for five 2026 Logie Awards including Best Drama Program, Best Lead Actor in a Drama (Mark Coles Smith) Best Lead Actress in a Drama (Tuuli Narkle), Best Supporting Actor in a Drama (Clarence Ryan) and Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent (Eloise Hart).
Key WA filming locations: Karlkurla/Kalgoorlie (Season 1), Wandergarup/Pemberton (Season 2)
Where to watch? ABC iView
BRAN NUE DAE (2009)
Robyn Kershaw Productions and Mayfan
Bran Nue Dae. Rosie’s Gang – Rosie (Jessica Mauboy) (2nd R). Broome, Yaruwu/Jugan Country, Kimberly. Photo by Ingetje Tadros.
Based on the hit musical by Jimmy Chi and his band Kuckles, this iconic coming-of-age musical comedy film follows a young man who is filled with the life of the idyllic old pearling port Broome, until his mother returns him to the religious mission. After being punished for an act of youthful rebellion, he runs away on a journey that ultimately leads him back home.
Key WA filming locations: Rubibi/Broome, Goonoonoorrang/Kununurra, Walyalup/Fremantle and more
Where to watch? Stan