Screen Producers Australia and Netflix are proud to announce the talented First Nations producers, writers, directors, creatives, and filmmakers selected for the Broad Horizons initiative at SCREEN FOREVER 38.
This exciting initiative is designed to provide the participants with invaluable opportunities to continue to grow and thrive in the screen industry.
From an Emmy-winning producer who highlights intricate storytelling through the humanity of First Nations peoples, to a proudly queer writer and filmmaker sharing powerful stories reflective of the communities to which she belongs, to a writer-director fortifying a space for Indigenous voices in the Australian animation industry, each participant brings a unique perspective and wealth of talent to the cohort, showcasing the rich diversity of voices within the Australian screen industry.
Matthew Deaner, CEO of SPA, said,
“We are incredibly excited, in partnership with Netflix, to welcome the Broad Horizons participants to SCREEN FOREVER 38 and as part of the SPA membership.”
“The remarkable talent and unique perspectives of all the participants makes me excited for the future of our industry, as we all work together to further First Nations voices and stories at home and abroad.”
The full list of participants is:
Aaliyah-Jade Bradbury
Aaliyah-Jade Bradbury is a proud Indigenous woman from the Larrakia Nation of Garamilla (Darwin), Erubam Le peoples of Meriam Mir, and an Emmy-winning storyteller. Aaliyah is most notably known for producing the film Harley & Katya (2022).
Her work has been recognised by Screen Australia and Screen NSW as one to watch for the way she highlights intricate storytelling through the humanity of our First Nations peoples. She has also held various roles across NGOs and government at organisations such as Creative Australia, the ABC and SBS.
Bjorn Stewart
Bjorn Stewart is a Sydney-based filmmaker and creator; either performing, writing or directing Australian television comedies such as; Summer Love, We Interrupt This Broadcast, Drunk History Australia, Get Krack!n and Black Comedy to name a few.
Most recently Stewart directed two episodes of the comedy series Gold Diggers for ABC and directed the AACTA award-winning mini-series All My Friends are Racist, which had its international premiere at Series Mania. His short films include the schlock horror comedy Killer Native and his directing debut Last Drinks at Frida’s, both premiering at the Sydney Film Festival and screened at festivals across the globe.
In 2021 he was mentored and worked as a director’s attachment to Taika Waititi on Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder. In his spare time, Bjorn will be fighting literally anyone in a round of Mortal Kombat; children, the elderly, even the sick. He has stuck with Sub-Zero since ‘93.
Brooke Collard
Brooke Collard is a Ballardong/Whadjuk Noongar woman, and proud mother of a toddler. As a Producer and Writer, Brooke is creating opportunities for authentic representation for those who have been marginalised in media, such as stories of First Nations people and LGBTQIA+.
Brooke currently works as a Games & Narrative Designer with Awesome Black, a First Nations game company who centre First Nations voices, stories, and creatives in everything they do.
Brooke and their partner Gary Hamaguchi won the AACTA Regional Pitch for 2023 with their project “Reclamation”, a Noongar Horror. In 2023 Brooke collaborated with Common Ground for their educational series “First Nations Bedtime Stories – Noongar”, and she produced short film “Marlu Man” which is in development as a feature film. In 2022 she was shortlisted for web series Digital Originals with “Red Dress Woman”. Brooke also has a successful podcast series with SBS Radio, “Noongar Wellbeing” which has over 16,000 plays.
Brooke wrote and produced web series “Yokai”, and award-winning short film “Aboriginal Warrior”. She is also in development for “Anangu Way” with emerging Director & Writer Tace Stevens. Brooke is also a part of the Goolarri Writers Group, the only group of its kind in the country which supports First Nations writers to develop their ideas.
She has also worked on projects such as TV Series “The Great”, movie “Sweet As” and many others. With a primary focus on facilitating stories that encourage others and help on the journey of healing.
Brooke is a firm believer in “No Stories About Us, Without Us”.
Cian Mungatj McCue
Cian Mungatj McCue is Northern Territory born and bred filmmaker whose career has spanned film, television, advertising and marketing and corporate production as a producer, camera operator, editor and in producing motion graphics. Cian is also an established graphic designer and artist.
Cian’s recent credits include Associate Producer on Desert King (Netflix TBA), Co-Producer of The First Inventors (NITV and Network 10, 2023), Graphic Artist on Faraway Downs (Hulu/Binge, 2023), Shooting Producer on Outback Ringer (ABC, 2022), Co-Producer, Director of Photography on Uncle Vic (ABC iView, 2021), Additional Camera on Jimmy Shu’s Taste of the Territory (SBS, 2020), Additional Camera on Tayamangajirri (SBS, 2019).
Jake Duczynski
Jake Duczynski is a proud Gomeroi and Mandandanji writer and director who is committed to First Nations representation on-screen and fortifying a space for Indigenous voices in the Australian animation industry. In 2021 Duczynski launched Studio Gilay in partnership with James Hackett alongside a diverse team of talented creatives, bringing thought-provoking stories to the screen.
Jake co-wrote and directed the groundbreaking series COOKED (2021). This animated series used comedy and satire to explore the lived Indigenous Australian experience and hit home some hard truths. Later in 2021, Duczynski Directed two animated dream sequences in the Netflix film BACK TO THE OUTBACK (2021), Directed by Harry Cripps and Clare Knight. Jake led the consultation between Netflix and East Kimberley artists from Waringarri Arts Centre.
Duczynski co-directed an animated Documentary UNLOCKED (2022), for NITV and SBS VICELAND. Launching late in 2022, Jake and Studio Gilay collaborated with Maori artist Lisa Reihana, assisting her to deliver her cross-cultural futuristic work GROUNDLOOP for the new (AGNSW) Sydney Modern gallery. Consultation was a big part of this job, Jake contacted and liaised with many artist, dancers and knowledge keepers, helping this project take shape across both sides of the Tasman Sea.
In 2024, Duczynski had the honour of Directing ABC’s Ninganah Lullaby, performed by and in collaboration with Troy Cassar-Daley. Every night the lullaby is the last thing to go to air for the kids block of programming on terrestrial TV.
Close collaboration is a key component to Jake’s process, working meaningfully with fine artists, communities, composers and companies to give each project a unique design presence and honest perspective. Duczynski’s approach has won multiple accolades, from Walkely’s & Webby’s, to Best Direction at the ADG awards.
His work has been projected across the sails of the Sydney Opera House, installed at the AGNSW & MCA, broadcast on the ABC, SBS/NITV and streamed on Netflix. Jake and Studio Gilay have multiple new and exciting projects in development. Stay tuned.
Nara Wilson
Nara Wilson is a proud Wirangu, Kokatha and Larrakia woman who lives and works on Peramangk country in Mount Barker, South Australia.
After completing a Bachelor of Creative Arts in Screen from Flinders University in 2014, she was a freelancer producer working across corporate films, short films and documentaries focussing on South Australian First Nations voices and stories.
From 2018 – 2022 Nara implemented South Australia’s first and second First Nations Screen Strategy at the South Australian Film Corporation she then in 2022 – 2023 implemented the state’s inaugural First Nations Arts Strategy at Arts South Australia.
In July 2023, Nara returned to being an emerging Creative Producer and is currently participating in Screen Australia’s Enterprise People program working three days a week at Vishus Productions whilst also participating in the Screen Producers Association Ones to Watch program. She was also selected as Winda Film Festival’s NATIVe Fellows programme part of the EFM Toolbox where she’ll be participating at the European Film Market in Berlin in February 2024.
Nara is also the Company Director of BiRiny where her passion lies and is focused on producing First Nations animation and documentary stories for television as well delivering corporate filming services with a majority First Nations crew.
Rhianna Malezer
Rhianna Malezer is a proudly queer Butchulla and Kamilaroi writer and filmmaker. After a decade of working in art department roles, Rhianna shifted into screenwriting as a writer on season 4 of ABC’s Black Comedy. She has completed a writer’s attachment with Ludo Studio, was shortlisted for Screen Queensland’s Greg Coote Scholarship 2020 and selected for AFTRS National Talent Camp 2020.
Her drama series Suburban Beats received development support through Screen Queensland’s First People’s First Draft initiative, while her web-series pilot Biting Dust earnt her a place in The Equity Foundation’s Diversity Showcase 2021. In 2022, her short script The Stockman, developed with the support of Screen Australia’s First Nations Department, won the prestigious AWG Monte Miller Award. Rhianna is currently undertaking a year-long placement at Orange Entertainment Co. as the Queensland recipient of SBS’s Emerging Writer’s Incubator.
Dedicated to sharing powerful stories reflective of the communities she belongs to, Rhianna’s current development slate spans across narrative drama, documentary and experimental art films. Rhianna is also a co-founder of Dhura-li Mob – a Meanjin-based collective that provides a space for First Nations filmmakers to connect and collaborate within the film industry.
Travis Akbar
Travis is a Wongutha man based on Peramangk country in the Adelaide Hills.
From 2019 – 2022 Travis was mentored in screenwriting by Hollywood credited writer, Steph Lady and selected for AFTRS 2019 State Talent Camp and AFTRS 2020 National Talent Camp. He was a finalist for Screen Australia’s Writer’s Incubator while completing several other programs and was a finalist in the AACTA Regional Landscapes competition.
He was awarded a place in Australians in Film Untapped Initiative and was accepted into South Australia Film Corporation’s prestigious Film Lab 2 program and awarded Documentary Australia’s Centralized Fellowship. Travis also completed an SAFC supported Directors Attachment on feature film THE RED, starring Aaron Pederson and Sci-Fi Icon Michael Biehn.
He wrote and sold the feature screenplays, The Holy Lance and Spithood and has optioned three screenplays in Cyclone, Outkaste and Guard Position and has market interest on Black’s Landing.
In 2023 Travis directed and produced the documentary, Eskatology: Being Me, produced the documentary Truth-Telling: Apology Day 2023 and wrote, directed, and co-produced the short film Tambo, which premiered at SXSW Sydney 2023, and has played at Adelaide film Festival, and was recently awarded funds to produce and direct his black comedy short, The Mysterious Maiden Of Montefiores.
Travis has written for producers in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the USA, including Victoria Hill, the producer of Paul Schrader’s Oscar-nominated First Reformed.
Participants will have the opportunity to attend SCREEN FOREVER 38, Australia’s premier screen conference and content marketplace to develop their professional networks, raise their profiles, and gain insights from industry leaders.
As part of this they get the chance to take part in exclusive tailored networking opportunities with industry experts. Participants also receive a 12-month SPA Associate Producer membership.
More information on SCREEN FOREVER 38 can be found at www.screenforever.org.au.
