Press release from FTI
Indigenous filmmakers from Western Australia will have the chance to tell their stories to a national audience with a fifth series of Deadly Yarns commissioned for ABC TV.
A joint partnership between ABC TV, ScreenWest and the Film & Television Institute (FTI), Deadly Yarns aims to further the skills and opportunities for Western Australian Indigenous writers, directors and producers, by funding the production of a number of short films.
Building on the success of the first four series, Deadly Yarns 5 invites Indigenous filmmakers to explore their best, most personal, funniest or deadliest story in a documentary, drama, doco-drama or animation format.
Western Australian Minister for Culture and the Arts John Day said the initiative provides a wonderful skills development opportunity for entry level and emerging Western Australian Indigenous filmmakers.
“Through the Deadly Yarns initiative Indigenous filmmakers have been able to showcase their uniquely Western Australia stories to a national and international audience. Many of these filmmakers have successfully gone on to tell bigger and bolder stories – winning national awards.”
Susan Moylan-Coombs, Executive Producer, Indigenous Programs Unit ABC TV said “ABC TV is delighted to be able to provide the opportunity to showcase comedy, documentary and drama storytelling skills of both new and experienced Western Australian Indigenous filmmakers. The national broadcaster is a perfect home for such stories.”
Graeme Sward, Chief Executive of the Film & Television Institute said, “It’s great to see a successful initiative continued and FTI is excited to be part of assisting Indigenous filmmakers in getting their stories onto the screen.”
Deadly Yarns 5 will be broadcast on ABC TV’s Message Sticks program.
Indigenous filmmakers are invited to apply to be part of Deadly Yarns 5. Applications close 15 January 2010. For application guidelines and more information, visit the FTI website: www.fti.asn.au