NITV initiative calls for new mini-docos

NITV has announced a fourth series of its mini-documentary initiative, Our Stories and announced this year’s NITV Spirit Award winner.

Part of NITV’s Regional, Remote and Emerging Initiative, the series will welcome a further 40-50 works for 2016, engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander filmmakers from across Australia.

Announced in the Northern Territory’s Lajamanu community, the $30,000 NITV Spirit Award, offered as a commissioning pre-sale, recognised the work of Pilbara and Kimberley Aboriginal Media for Marumpu Wangka! Kukatjua Hand Talk and will lead to a 30-minute documentary production to be broadcast nationally on NITV in 2016.

Mary Ellen Mullane, NITV’s Senior Commissioning Editor, said: “We assessed 156 works and were very impressed by the diversity of the films and their subject matter, as well as the ever increasing talent within the remote media production sector.”

Tanya Denning-Orman, NITV Channel Manager, added: “NITV is proud to support Indigenous storytelling from the remote sector, developing the skills of filmmakers to bring stories of our culture, people and languages to all Australians.”