AFTRS welcomes new Artist-in-Residence

The Australian Film Television and Radio School has welcomed filmmaker and writer Tracey Rigney, a Wotjobaluk and Ngarrindjeri woman, as the 2024 Artist-in-Residence.

The program invites talented, brilliant and creative storytellers in Australia to spend a semester with the School and have the space, support and facilities to reflect on and test their craft.

Rigney is currently writing her debut feature film Everywhen, which is set on her mother’s Country.

Her residency will take place in her community, on Country. AFTRS is committed to community-led, place-based projects to deepen students’ understanding of First Nations knowledge systems, media technologies and ways of knowing.

“As part of my AFTRS residency I’m aiming to further explore my mother’s language, Wergaia, through a range of creative practices including sound composition and sound design, which I love in film. I’m excited about how this experience with AFTRS might help shape my future dreaming with this project,” she said.

“I’m also looking forward to connecting with the AFTRS community to share, listen and learn more about how I can be of service to the School, and explore opportunities to collaborate with lots of different people.

AFTRS CEO, Dr. Nell Greenwood, “We are delighted to welcome Tracey Rigney to AFTRS as our new Artist-in-Residence. This program creates unique spaces for innovation and experimentation within our screeni ndustries, which are so important for us, as we consider who we are, the stories we tell and how we work together to tell them. I can’t wait to see how this residency unfolds.”

Tracey has always had a love of storytelling from her Grandfather and family. She draws inspiration from her people and culture. Tracey began her career in the theatre as a playwright with her debut play Belonging. She went on to write more plays before transitioning to film and TV. Her works include documentary and short films Endangered, Abalone, Man Real and Elders and the feature film We Are Still Here.

She directed Steven Oliver’s web series A Chance Affair and has written for TV on The Warriors. Her films have travelled nationally and internationally and have received nominations and awards. One of her career highlights is working with her co-collaborator Desiree Cross and Koorie students from Dimboola Primary School on Teacher’s Pet. This film won the 2016 Flickerfest FlickerUp Best Primary School Production Award and was an ATOM Award finalist.

Tracey also did an industry placement with the Assistant Directing Department on Thor: Ragnarok in 2016. In 2022 Tracey wrote both Windmill Theatre’s stage play Rella and a children’s play, Someone in the Dark for Black Hole Theatre.

With more than 20 years’ experience, Tracey is ready to step into the next phase of her entrepreneurial life and create slates and opportunities through her newly formed Company, Pink Lake Creative.