AFTRS First Nations

17/08/2026

Last Friday, AFTRS welcomed audiences to Pacific Film Dialogues, a special event exploring storytelling, screen cultures and creative practice across the Pacific.

The event was a partnership between AFTRS, Western Sydney University and the University of Sydney, and featured a conversation with acclaimed Pacific filmmakers Dr Letila Mitchell and Leonardo Pakarati, followed by screenings of their films Armea and Ŋa Hinarere [The Children].

The dialogue highlighted the vital role of film in sustaining cultural knowledge, strengthening community connections and sharing Indigenous perspectives across generations.

Thank you to Iane Tavo Atalifo, Paula Rossetti, Professor Heather Horst and Professor Juan Francisco Salazar and our partners, speakers and attendees for making this such a great evening.

25/07/2026

Actor, writer, director, and producer Hunter Page-Lochard is optimistic about the future of storytelling, highlighting a new generation of First Nations creatives who are bringing fresh voices and perspectives to Australian screens.

Following an AFTRS Screenwriting course, Hunter has built an impressive career across screen and television, both in front of and behind the camera.

Read more.

Indigenous actor, writer, director and producer Hunter Page-Lochard is optimistic about the young contemporaries around him.

14/07/2026

10/07/2026

In the spirit of NAIDOC Week, we look at how the On Country Pathways Program (OCPP) is shaping the journey of First Nations creatives who were part of the program.

09/07/2026

Tyrell joined the OCPP in Cairns as the youngest participant in his group. From Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, he brought experience in community radio at TSIMA (Torres Strait Island Media Association), as well as blog writing and social content creation.

08/07/2026

Casey first joined the OCPP in Cairns through the radio and podcasting stream, with the purpose of developing content to support his work in mental health at the Kunjur First Nations Men’s Collective.

07/07/2026

With a background in songwriting and performing, Merindi has long been connected to culture and language.

06/07/2026

This NAIDOC Week, we celebrate the power of First Nations storytelling through a selection of AFTRS films, bringing together iconic First Nations filmmakers such as Catriona McKenzie and Ivan Sen, with recent alumni Larissa Behrendt, Tace Stevens, Nazareth Alfred and Dylan Nicholls.

From stories grounded in Country, culture and community to works that explore identity, connection and resilience, these films speak to NAIDOC's theme for 2026: '50 Years of Deadly', with a new generation sharing perspectives and shaping the future of Australian screen culture.

Watch the films on ABC iview and Fanforce.

Five AFTRS productions will stream on ABC iview as part of their Celebrating NAIDOC Week collection.

28/05/2026

Congratulations to our Class of 2025 First Nations graduands who enjoyed an end-of-year gathering with family, friends and staff ahead of tomorrow's 2026 AFTRS Graduation. Following some inspirational "words of wisdom" by writer, actor and director Wayne Blair, each of the students heard from a teacher they had invited to speak about their AFTRS experience. They were also presented with a specially designed stole and possum cloak.