Film Australia's unique collection of film, video, stills and sound material includes an invaluable record of life in indigenous communities of Australia, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific, from the early 20th century to the present.

The Indigenous Studies catalogue features a selection of over 170 programs.

• Download a copy of the Indigenous Studies catalogue (Acrobat pdf, 670k)

• Browse titles in the Indigenous Studies catalogue online

• Email sales@filmaust.com.au for a printed copy of the catalogue or the update (see New Additions)

Film and television often provide the first impressions most Australians get about Aboriginal culture - impressions that will underpin their sense of understanding of what it means to be Aboriginal in Australian society. Such films as Mabo-Life of an Island Man have played a significant role in the nation's understanding of reconciliation and what it means to Indigenous Australians.

Aboriginal people, who, in the past were overwhelmingly the subjects of films, have now gained a voice and are speaking back. Collaborative productions involving Film Australia and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies have long been recognised and celebrated for their role in devolving and sharing directorial powers. A look at the production credits in this catalogue highlights the growing number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involved in directing, researching, scriptwriting and performing.

In this catalogue, Indigenous Studies, Film Australia highlights its issues-based programs, which include productions dealing with law, land rights, black deaths in custody, health and aspects of identity. Also included are established titles such as Ian Dunlop's Yirrkala Film Project, which was made with the assistance of the Yolngu people of northeast Arnhem Land and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.

New releases from Film Australia include the outstanding series, Everyday Brave, which focuses on leadership. The series profiles Indigenous Australians whose wisdom, strength and commitment have made a real difference to their communities and to society. Directed by Darlene Johnson, Danielle Maclean, Catriona McKenzie, Donna Ives, Alan Collins and Mitch Torres and produced as a Film Australia National Interest Program in association with CAAMA Productions and Macumba Media, the series has already won the Tudawali Award for Best Television Series as part of the Message Stick Festival.

Today, Indigenous filmmakers are at the forefront of the industry and they are successfully establishing a dialogue and creating images that are challenging and changing long established cultural attitudes towards Indigenous culture.

Adding to Film Australia's already significant catalogue about the indigenous cultures of Australia, Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific, are new programs and study guides which will, I have no doubt, ensure that this new catalogue continues to be of immense value to students and teachers.

Since the publication of Film Australia's Indigenous Studies catalogue, several new programs have been produced.

Read their production stories:

• Dhakiyarr vs the King
• Land of the Morning Star
• Lonely Boy Richard
• Mr Patterns
• The Pilot's Funeral

Or their synopses:

• Australian Biography: Joan Winch
• Australian Biography: Noel Tovey
• Blood Brothers
• Film Australia's Wilderness DVD
• Rosie
• Shifting Sands

These titles - and older titles recently released on DVD - are all contained in our Indigenous Studies update 2005 (Acrobat pdf, 684k)

One of the programs mentioned in Dr Michael Dodson's introduction is the six-part series Everyday Brave. This was designed not only to celebrate Indigenous Australian achievers but also to offer production opportunities and skills development to Indigenous filmmakers. Find out more...

See our other showcases