Blackfella Films founder Rachel Perkins has announced her departure from the company after three decades.
Having set up the Indigenous-led independent production venture in 1992 with then business partner Michael Riley, Perkins has since grown the company through her creative partnership with Darren Dale, whom she met in 2001.
Blackfella Films started with an international co-venture of documentaries from Sami, Māori, First Nations Canadians and Australians, and Warwick Thornton’s short film Payback, before going on to produce the likes of Mabo, Redfern Now, Total Control, Filthy Rich and Homeless, Addicted Australia and First Australians.
Most recently, Perkins produced, directed, and presented documentary series The Australian Wars, currently screening on SBS.
Speaking about her departure, she reflected on her enduring friendship with Dale.
“I met Darren in 2001 and our very first conversation was about our mutual determination to pursue excellence,” she said.
“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.”
Dale said he “couldn’t be prouder” of what had come from his creative partnership with Perkins.
“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,” he said.
“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 divides.”