Last month, Screen Queensland Head of Development and Production, Jo Dillon, travelled to the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) for the 16th National Remote Indigenous Media Festival coordinated by the Indigenous Remote Communications Association (IRCA) in partnership with Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media (QRAM), the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council, Indigenous Community Television (ICTV) and the Torres Strait Islanders Media Association.

The event, held across five communities at the tip of Horne Cape York peninsula, brought together 150 remote community broadcasters, media producers and industry partners from across Australia and featured a program packed with workshops, industry forums, round tables, cinema screenings and special outdoor events.

Jo was invited to give a short address at the festival and participate in an industry round table alongside NITV. The opportunity to talk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners on their home turf was something Jo found very inspiring and gave her a wonderful insight into the skills and opportunities available in remote and isolated locations.

Screen Queensland sponsored the event through its Screen Culture program; a program that works to extend the reach of film activities throughout the State from regional, rural and remote areas. The program enables film and other screen-based content to be celebrated and supports events and activities such as film festivals, screenings, workshops, seminars and visits by Australian and international filmmakers and screen practitioners.

Pictured left: Jo Dillon with Jimi Bani (left) and Aaron Fa’aoso (right) from LoneStar Production Company.