C44 and the South Australian Film Corporation are together helping even more South Australian First Nations screen creatives to forge new careers in television production with the return of their First Nations Internship Program, which is now also open to tertiary students.
The internship program was launched in 2021 as part of the SAFC’s First Nations Screen Strategy 2020-2025 and is part of a wider partnership between the SAFC and C44 to provide opportunities to South Australian First Nations screen practitioners.
This year up to three First Nations interns will be selected for placement at C44’s Collinswood studios, to be mentored across key creative and crew roles by experienced C44 staff, getting hands-on, on-set experience in television production and creating original content for broadcast.
Internships are available across various roles including Production Assistant, Production Coordinator, Social Media and Marketing, Editor/VFX/Animation, casual production crew including hair, makeup and wardrobe, and more.
Click here for more information about how to apply.
The selected interns will follow in the footsteps of previous graduates of the program who have gone on to exciting new screen career opportunities such as emerging Alyawarre and Kokatha filmmaker Keith Gilbey Warrior, who followed up his internship with work on SA-filmed ABC TV series MaveriX and AMC+ series Firebite, and is now co-producing new C44 series Mob Talks.
Mr Gilbey Warrior said: “I got a ton of experience working with fellow First Nations interns as part of the SAFC and Channel 44 First Nations internship program, and found it very rewarding not just for creating content there but for being able to create that content together with other First Nations filmmakers as a team. Getting the chance to work on-set at an actual broadcaster not only helped me develop my skills, it also helped me secure a post-production attachment on Warwick Thornton’s Firebite – a really exciting opportunity I am very thankful for as someone who grew up watching his films!”
Previous interns also assisted in the production of documentary film The Art of Reconciliation and series First Nations Fringe, and successfully worked to secure $20,000 production funding through the Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF) to make new First Nations talk show Mob Talks, which goes into production in May.
Minister for the Arts The Hon. Andrea Michaels MP said: “I commend and congratulate the SAFC and Channel 44 for their ongoing work in amplifying the voices and stories of South Australian First Nations communities, and in creating innovative initiatives such as the First Nations internship program that help emerging practitioners to develop their skills and build successful careers in screen.”
CEO of the SAFC Kate Croser said: “The SAFC is delighted to continue our successful partnership with Channel 44 in presenting the return of this ground-breaking internship program which has already provided significant career opportunities and skills development for South Australian First Nations practitioners. We look forward to meeting the new crop of talented interns and seeing the exciting things they achieve over the next 12 months.”
General Manager of C44 Lauren Hillman said: “Channel 44 is thrilled to be continuing our successful and important partnership with the SAFC that puts First Nations screen creatives front and centre. As part of the partnership this year we are very excited to be producing Mob Talks, a First Nations panel show produced and directed by two of our 2021 interns Ricky Hutcheson and Keith Gilbey-Warrior that tackles some of the biggest issues facing the Aboriginal community and how we can change the conversation. We look forward to being inspired by the new intake of First Nations interns for 2022.”
Applications are open to entry level and emerging South Australian First Nations screen practitioners and tertiary students, with no experience necessary – although evidence of previous screen credits is preferred. Applications close Friday 17 June, 2022. For more information on the internship and how to apply, go to safilm.com.au/industry-and-skills#c44internship
