Four Indigenous filmmakers premiere work on Network 10

A significant milestone for First Nations representation in Australian screen production has been reached through a partnership between Screen Queensland and Network 10. Four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander filmmakers have created a suite of community service announcements now rolling out across the broadcaster's platforms, following a structured placement and mentorship program designed to build long-term screen industry careers.

Kellie Baxter (Wiradjuri), Gretta Ada O'Sullivan (Bundjalung), Abraham Mantey, and Sio Tusa (both Torres Strait Islander) produced, wrote and directed the four announcements during a four-week paid placement with Network 10—one of Australia's primary commercial broadcasters. This intensive on-set experience was followed by a six-month mentorship engagement with Network 10's executive team, an extended support phase aimed at consolidating the production knowledge and professional networks these early-career practitioners developed during their placement.

The program structure reflects a deliberate investment model: hands-on experience coupled with ongoing guidance. Each filmmaker worked directly with Network 10's production crew, gaining exposure to the technical, logistical, and creative dimensions of broadcast production at scale. The mentorship phase extends these relationships, ensuring the skills acquired translate into durable career pathways rather than isolated credits.

The four announcements span four distinct themes—language and storytelling, wildlife, cultural sites, and rock art—filmed across multiple Queensland regions. Production locations included Hervey Bay, K'gari (Fraser Island), the Bunya Mountains, and Far North Queensland, each chosen to ground the stories within specific cultural and environmental contexts. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers provided on-set consultation and expertise, ensuring authenticity and cultural integrity throughout production.

Screen Queensland's acting CEO Dr Belinda Burns framed the initiative within the Queensland Government's Path to Treaty framework. "In creating these moving and authentic spots, the four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners gained the practical skills, expert guidance and credits essential to launching long-term screen careers," Burns said. "Bolstering the next generation of First Nations screen storytellers—raising their voices to share truths and valuable perspectives with Australian audiences—is vital as we move along the Path to Treaty."

Daniel Monaghan, senior vice president of programming and content at Paramount Australia and New Zealand (Network 10's parent company), highlighted the strategic alignment between the partnership and the broadcaster's reconciliation commitments. "This partnership reflects our goals to promote reconciliation through our sphere of influence by proactively establishing relationships with First Nations practitioners and organisations like Screen Queensland," Monaghan said. "Immersing recipients in professional production alongside established crew adds to their practical understanding of the industry—physical production, development, technical direction, and teamwork."

The four community service announcements are available to stream on 10 Play and will air on Network 10's metro Queensland channels over the coming weekend.