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National Reconciliation Week 2021 – Meet our First Nations creatives
03 June 2021
As part of the SAFC’s 2021 National Reconciliation Week celebrations we are showcasing the four South Australian screen practitioners taking part in the inaugural SAFC and Channel 44 First Nations Mentorship Program which supports South Australian First Nations screen creatives to forge new careers in television production.
Launched in February 2021, the mentorship program has seen Ricky Hutcheson, Kiara Milera, Keith Gilbey-Warrior and Anil Junior Samy work alongside Channel 44 staff to gain valuable hands-on experience in television production, learning new skills and creating original content for broadcast. They have also assisted in the production of documentary The Art of Reconciliation – Telling Our Stories, being produced by Channel 44 with an all First Nations crew, and support from the Port Adelaide Enfield and Charles Sturt Councils, and web series First Nations Fringe.
Read more about these talented creatives below, and find out more about how the SAFC supports the South Australian First Nations screen sector here.
Keith Gilbey-Warrior
Emerging First Nations filmmaker Keith Gilbey-Warrior is a proud Kokatha and Alyawarr man. A Bachelor of Media Arts graduate from University of South Australia, Keith has also undertaken work experience with We Made a Thing, Screenmakers Conference and Flinders University and is working towards his goal of being a screen producer.
Keith’s favourite genre of film? Horror!
“This internship with Channel 44 has greatly improved my abilities as an emerging filmmaker. I’ve really enjoyed getting the opportunity to hone my skills technically through camerawork and logistically through organisational tasks.
“For me reconciliation represents one fundamental belief that is shared amongst people across the globe and it’s that actions will always be greater than words. I’ve always been a firm believer in recognition, but now actions must follow suit as well.
“My favourite genres within film are horror and sci-fi. I’m always astounded by the level of creativity and innovation these genres bring to the industry through their stories, world building, production design, makeup and overall vision. They are my go-to for an immersive film experience!”
Kiara Milera
Emerging filmmaker and screenwriter Kiara Milera is a proud Narungga / Ngarinderri / Adnyamathanha / Kokatha woman.
Kiara has written for ABC’s Black Comedy, and worked as production assistant on short film Coming Home, been a director’s attachment to Warwick Thornton on Sweet Country and has also created and developed her own projects WILD and Same, Same.
“I believe that Reconciliation is about action. It’s time to start doing. Anyone can say anything, but it’s important to actually do the things you say.
“Being part of the Channel 44 SAFC internship program has been an exciting opportunity, I’m enjoying being a part of the team, working on the different projects, and just working with the other mob there.
“My favourite genre of film is comedy, but I do also enjoy drama, and sometimes both in the same movie. I like to sit down and have a laugh, but also really enjoy watching a good story with good characters.”
Ricky Hutcheson
Emerging filmmaker Ricky Hutcheson is from the Wakka Wakka people of Queensland, and war born and raised on Larrakia country in the Northern Territory.
“I believe that this year’s Reconciliation theme of ‘More than a Word’ evokes the idea of action. That to really move forward and make real change, we need everyone to take part in listening to the voices of First Nations peoples, and take action in their own way, big or small, but most importantly right now.
“At Channel 44 I’m currently working on producing a short doco called The Art of Reconciliation and a Welcome to Country video for the 2021 Antenna Awards. I’ve had the chance to work behind camera, work on grant applications, write and conduct interviews and even schedule shows for broadcast. It’s been a terrific experience!
“My favourite genre of film tends to change with the wind. Right now I’m enjoying modern science fiction. Maybe it’s because these past couple of years has us all questioning, ‘what will our future be like?'”
Anil Junior Samy
Anil Junior Samy is a proud Nukunu/Kokotha man and emerging filmmaker.
Anil has found his experience on the First Nations Mentorship Program invaluable and has particularly enjoyed the opportunity to develop and produce his own ideas.
“This year’s Reconciliation week theme ‘More than a Word’ to me means a journey, my ancestors’ journey, my family’s journey and mine, of our people from where we were to where we are now.
“What ‘IS’ more than a word? These words that we few still have may have changed or have been lost over time, but our stories will last as long as there are people to tell them.”