As part of an ongoing commitment to filmmakers, the Northern Territory Government has provided funding to two productions, Dark Science and Black As, which are set to air this week.

Screen Territory Director Penelope McDonald said Dark Science and Black As were supported through the Screen Grants program.

“The funding from the Northern Territory Government supported the NITV to commission Dark Science -five short documentaries profiling the practice of Northern Territory-based Indigenous scientists,” Ms McDonald said. 

“The five Dark Science programs received a total of $35 000 from the Screen Grants Program - $7000 for each program.

“The innovative short-form documentaries were produced between December 2015 and March 2016 and each run for up to five minutes.

“The documentaries in this series were written and produced by some of the Northern Territory’s up-coming Indigenous film makers.”

The five episodes in this series are:

•        A Life of Learning – written by Josie Douglas and Fiona Walsh
•        Rangers Past and Present – written and directed by Christopher Fitzpatrick
•        Widijith – written and directed by Stuart Martin, produced by Tamara Whyte
•        Djurrun (The Evening Star) – written and directed by Sylvia Nulpinditj
•        Yirritja Rain – written and directed by Andrew Galitju Burarrwaŋa.

Black As was granted $20 000 through the Screen Grants program and is set to premiere on ABC iView from tonight.

“Black As is a series of 24 episodes, each up to five minutes long, about a group of men who venture into the wilds of Arnhem Land, hunting for adventure and a good feed,” Ms McDonald said.

“Filmmaker David Batty worked with the four Black As boys in Ramingining in developing and creating the series.

“Dark Science and Black As are two fantastic series of documentaries that should not be missed. I encourage everyone to tune in to some unique Northern Territory stories.”

The first five episodes of Black As can be viewed on ABC iView at http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/black-as.

The Dark Science documentaries will be on NITV on July 6, 2016 at 8:00pm and July 7, 2016 at 10:00am.

Media Contact: Penelope McDonald, 8951 5136