First Nations Storytelling

Friday 9 February

11am AEST

As the world's oldest continuing culture, join a panel of First Nations writers from both screen and print as they discuss the importance of preserving First Nations stories and their experiences producing their own works. Hosted by radio personality and journalist Rhianna Patrick, listen to insights from Leah Purcell (The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson), Tristan Michael Savage (Rift Breaker), Richard Jameson OAM (CEO of Wirrim Media), and Lystra Rose (The Upwelling), as they share their careers and connections to authentic First Nations storytelling.

Featuring

Lystra Rose

Lystra Rose, a descendant of the Guugu Yimithirr, Birri Gubba, Erub and Scottish nations, is a multi-award-winning writer who lives in Yugambeh-speaking Country (Gold Coast). When she’s not catching waves with her husband and two groms, Lystra is editor-in-chief of Surfing Life magazine—the first female editor of a mainstream surf mag in the world.

The Upwelling is Lystra’s debut novel, which collected seven awards, including the Winner of the 2023 NSW Premier’s Ethel Turner Prize for Young People’s Literature, Winner of the 2023 Victorian Premier’s Literary Prize for Indigenous Writing and Winner of the State Library of QLD’s 2018 black&write! Fellowship (manuscript), as well as shortlisting for the 2023 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards for Young Adult Literature.

Lystra is penning Book Two and Three of The N’gian Chronicles and enjoys implementing a “cultural education by stealth” methodology.

Tristan Michael Savage

Tristan Michael Savage is a Brisbane based screenwriter and author. His first novel, Rift Breaker, won the prestigious Black&Write! Fellowship, as well as the Kris Hembury Encouragement award for emerging artists as presented at the Aurealis Awards ceremony. His foray into screenwriting began with a role as notetaker and writer’s attachment, where he quickly advanced to the main writing team of the Logie nominated Grace Beside Me. Tristan is a freelance Film and Television screenwriter for various production companies, and he is the inaugural winner of the Magabala Fellowship for his current novel in progress.

Richard Jameson OAM

Richard is a Wuthathi man from East Coast of Cape York. He grew up on Thursday Island before moving to Darwin. He is educated, through Monash and Melbourne Universities and gained a degree in Social Work and a Master degree in Public Policy.

He is an experienced filmmaker of 17 years. He has written/produced and directed several short dramas and documentaries as well as written 3 feature scripts. Most of the films have an Indigenous focus/content and where possible utilises other Indigenous filmmakers and technicians.

Richard was part of the 2015/16 Screen Australia Indigenous Producers Initiative, he travelled to TIFF to pitch 2 feature scripts to distributors. He founded Wirrim Studio a purpose-built high-end production studio in Burleigh Heads, he recently sold the studio to another media company in order to focus on working with corporate clients and building his skills set to transition across to feature docs and drama. He is part of the SQ Equity and Diversity Taskforce and has recently directed his 1st TV Series with Strait to the Plate Season 2.

Rhianna Patrick

Rhianna Patrick is a freelance Torres Strait Islander journalist, broadcaster and audio content creator.

Leah Purcell

A proud Goa-Gunggari-Wakka Wakka Murri woman from Queensland, Leah Purcell AM is one of Australia’s leading actors, with award-winning roles in theatre, film, and television.

Leah headlines the upcoming BINGE drama series High Country on which she also serves as Executive Producer and Cultural Advisor. The series is produced by Curio Pictures in association with Rage Media.

Leah stars alongside Sigourney Weaver in the Amazon Studios miniseries The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. Other screen credits include: Shayda, Wentworth, Janet King, Redfern Now, The Proposition and Lantana.

Leah’s feature film directorial debut, The Drover’s Wife The Legend of Molly Johnson - for which she also starred in the lead role, wrote, and produced - received 13 AACTA Award nominations, with Leah winning the 2022 AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress, as well as an ADG Award for Best Debut Feature Film.

Throughout her career Leah has received 26 awards and 11 nominations for her work as an actor, writer, director, and producer as well as the 2021 Member of The Order of Australia (AM).