Darlene Johnson.
A new initiative from the National Association of Cinema Operators (NACO) and the Motion Picture Distributors Association of Australia (MPDAA) will give two emerging Indigenous filmmakers the opportunity to attend AIMC 2016.
Darlene Johnson is a writer/director from the Dunghutti clan from the NSW mid-north coast. A graduate of UTS and AFTRS, Johnson’s short films and documentaries have won numerous awards, including an Emmy nomination in 2001 (Best Documentary Stolen Generations).
She has two feature films currently in development, with Phillip Noyce attached as an EP to one and David Gulpilil attached as a cast member and cultural advisor on the other.
Ian Ludwick is a Bulgun Warra man from Hopevale, Queensland. Formerly a policeman and paramedic, Ludwick turned to writing and producing in 2009.
He completed the Indigenous Producers Initiative with Screen Australia and an attachment to Arclight Films earlier this year. He also recently attended the Toronto International Film Festival with support from Screen Australia.
With support from Screen Queensland, Ludwick is developing a feature with producer David Elfick and script editor Steve Vidler, and has another film in development with producer Mark Lazarus from Arclight Films.
Both NACO and the MPDAA are members of MediaRING, an organisation that aims to develop career opportunities for Indigenous Australians in the media.