Rachel Perkins to depart Blackfella Films

Producer / Director Rachel Perkins has announced her departure from Blackfella Films, the Indigenous led production company she founded in 1992.

Together with producer Darren Dale, who joined in 2002, their output has collectively spanned Redfern Now, Total Control, Filthy Rich & Homeless, First Australians, Mabo, Addicted Australia, Deep Water, First Contact, DNA Nation and The Australian Wars, which Perkins has produced, directed and presented most recently for SBS.

Blackfella’s work has amassed Logie, AACTA, Australian Director’s Guild, Australian Writers Guild Awards plus accolades from BANFF World Media Awards, MIPCOM Diversify TV’s Excellence Awards, New York Festivals TV & Film Awards, Venice TV Awards, Toronto International Film Festival.

Darren Dale said, “I could not be prouder of the legacy of ground-breaking content Rachel and I have built over two decades of creative partnership. From First Australians to Redfern Now, Total Control through to The Australian Wars, our collaboration has delivered on our ambition to inform, entertain and – most of all – change hearts and minds in ways we could never have imagined. Rachel is a creative powerhouse and it has been the privilege of my professional and personal life to have walked this path by her side as my incomparable partner in crime. The team at Blackfella Films continues to grow and develop projects across scripted and unscripted that remain true to our underlying mission of making purpose lead content that connects with audiences and promotes greater understanding across cultural divide.”

Rachel Perkins said: “I met Darren in 2001 and our very first conversation was about our mutual determination to pursue excellence. It turned into a 20-year conversation over multiple projects across the continent and the world. I also couldn’t be prouder of what we have achieved together, the glass ceilings we smashed along the way and the audiences we have touched. Through all this work together over two decades, Darren’s friendship has been the defining centre of everything I have done. This friendship now allows us to take different paths, knowing it will endure a lifetime. On a very personal level that is thing of which I am most proud.’”