Five emerging Territory filmmakers have each received $25,000 from the NT Government and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), as part of the SPARK short film initiative.

SPARK is presented in partnership with the Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF) and strengthens career pathways and opportunities within the NT film industry.

The Territory Government, through its agency Screen Territory, has increased its investment in SPARK this year, with the five successful film makers sharing in $125,000 of funding.

To further support collaboration and recovery from the impacts of COVID-19, each film maker is required to collaborate with a Territory composer or musician.

The theme for this year is ‘Intergenerational Relationships’ and the successful recipients are:

Darwin Producer/Director Emma Masters’ 10-minute documentary Uncle Vic features 92-year old Darwin legend Vic Ludwig whose dedication to the game and his beloved St Mary’s Football Club has earned him the title of the longest-ever serving club president in the history of the Australian football. These days, the godfather of the green and gold has a renewed passion - inspiring junior players to focus on being a winner in life as much as one on the field.

• Fresh off the back of directing Jimmy Shu’s Taste of the Territory and its nomination for a prestigious Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Naina Sen explores bi-racial identity and generational belonging through Balinese dance with her short doco Poleng.
• Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky producer and Screen Territory’s Business Enterprise program recipient Tamarind Tree Pictures is fostering new talent by supporting Aboriginal director Nevanka McKeon with her short documentary Narraku Ngama, Narraku Waku which follows three generations of Yolngu women.
• Central Australian metal band Southeast Desert Metal will make an appearance in Desert Metal Dreaming, examining how this very distinct genre of music is being used to keep traditional knowledge and culture alive. The project is being mentored by Alice Springs-based Chili Films who were also a recipient of Screen Territory’s Generate Enterprise program.
• Penelope Paton and Phil Denson will explore the inter-generational world of dance in their 10-minute documentary The Day of a Darwin Dancer, focused on Larrakia man and NT dance icon, Gary Lang. Gary is the founder of the NT Dance Studio and has toured internationally with companies including acclaimed indigenous dance company Bangarra.

The successful filmmakers will now benefit from the ABC’s editorial support and involvement before going into production in early 2021.

Quotes from Minister Nicole Manison for Mining and Industry

“The SPARK film initiative will provide innovative and collaborative opportunities for our Creative Industries sector, which has been among the hardest hit due to COVID-19."

“The Territory Labor Government’s $125 000 investment will provide joint opportunities and career pathways for Territory film makers and musicians as well as showcase Territory stories on a national platform."

Quote from Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Manager Factual – Factual and Culture, Julie Hanna:

"We’re proud to be nurturing such talented and diverse teams on this exciting initiative.  Looking at intergenerational relationships through the lens of Northern Territory creatives will add to this important conversation.  We can’t wait to see these fabulous films come to life."

Quotes from Darwin International Film Festival Manager, Blandine Ruffo:

"We were so pleased to see that the majority of submitted projects put artists at the centre of their stories, including dancing legend Gary Lang. It feels like our desire to extend our support to the wider creative community via the “local musician” selection criteria has resonated with Spark applicants. The SPARK 2020 shorts will be a vibrant mosaic of multicultural stories that is sure to have a strong emotional impact on audiences both at DIFF and on ABC."

Quote from Screen Territory, Director, Jennie Hughes:

"The SPARK initiative is an important and valuable part of fostering the emerging screen talent of the Northern Territory and in strengthening opportunities between the screen and arts sectors. It’s wonderful to see that this year each project selected has a female key creative at the helm, as a Director or Producer, and that more and more creatives from diverse backgrounds are sharing their experiences and making their voices heard through screen stories here in the Northern Territory."