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Watch now: In Conversation with Warwick Thornton

22 November 2021

Internationally acclaimed director, writer and cinematographer Warwick Thornton is one of Australia’s most celebrated First Nations auteur voices.

Known for his powerful and gritty feature films, Thornton has won multiple awards for his work including the Caméra d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for debut feature film Samson and Delilah (2009), and the Special Jury Prize at Venice Film Festival as well as the Platform Prize at the Toronto Film Festival for Sweet Country (2017).

Thornton is currently in South Australia shooting new AMC Studios and See-Saw Films vampire series Firebite, which he created, wrote and is directing together with long-time collaborator Brendan Fletcher. Set to release on 16 December, 2021, Firebite is a high-octane fantasy series that follows two Indigenous Australian hunters, Tyson and Shanika, on their quest to battle the last colony of vampires in the middle of the South Australian desert.

Thornton spoke extensively about the series in the SAFC’s special “in conversation” event presented at Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute in July as part of the SAFC’s 2021 NAIDOC Week celebrations.

Hosted by former NITV and ABC journalist Nancia Guivarra and filmed by SAFC partner, Adelaide’s community broadcaster Channel 44, the wide-ranging discussion also took in Thornton’s award-winning career, including working with his filmmaker son Dylan River, and his philosophy of filmmaking.

Watch the event now below: