NITV and ABC Children's launch live-action children's series Thalu
25/09/2019
Thalu cast. Photo credit: Tyson Mowarin
NITV and ABC Children's are proud to announce Thalu has commenced production on location in the Pilbara, Western Australia. Energetic, inventive and funny, this new five-part children's series received principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with Screenwest and the Western Australian Regional Film Fund and was financed with support from NITV, ABC and the Australian Children's Television Foundation.
The live-action series focuses on a group of Indigenous children, who undertake a journey to save their Country from the threat of a mysterious dust cloud and its inhabitants, the Takers.
Produced by Tyson Mowarin and Robyn Marais at Weerianna Street Media in association with Bernadette O'Mahony from the ACTF, Thalu takes Roebourne community stories and weaves Ngarluma culture with the classic heroes' journey shot in and around Roebourne. The show is an ode to the Pilbara and its people.
Thalu is the cast's first foray into acting including exciting newcomers Ella Togo, Cherry-Rose Hubert, Jakeile Coffin, Wade Walker, Penny Wally, Logan Adams and Sharliya Mowarin. The cast all come from Roebourne and each character has been written with input from the young cast member to reflect their personality, sense of humour, and of course, culture.
NITV Channel Manager, Tanya Orman, said: Thalu is as much an action-packed adventure as it is a celebration of the Pilbara region and its Indigenous culture. We're very excited for our viewers to take this journey with us.
With 55 per cent of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population under the age of 25, NITV is committed to producing and showcasing quality content that is relevant to younger Indigenous audiences.
It's so important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids to see themselves reflected on screen and to celebrate Indigenous culture and language. We are sure that Thalu will be received with the same warm reception as our award-winning series Little J & Big Cuz and Grace Beside Me.
ABC Head of Children's Content, Libbie Doherty, said: Thalu ingeniously mixes traditional and modern Aboriginal storytelling to bring this futuristic fantasy to the screen. The ABC is excited to partner again with NITV to share this adventurous story from the Pilbara and to work with Tyson, the awesome cast members and the Roebourne community to bring this story to young audiences across the country.
Screen Australia's Head of Content Sally Caplan said: Screen Australia is committed to supporting local children's content that celebrates Australian culture, landscapes and accents onscreen. Thalu is such a distinct story, not just in its dystopian look against the backdrop of the Pilbara, but also in its close connection to the local community.
With creator and Roebourne local Tyson Mowarin working alongside producer Robyn Marais and a talented team of writers and directors on board, I can't wait to see this cast of newcomers bring this inspiring original series to Australian audiences next year.
CEO of Screenwest, Willie Rowe, said: Thalu will take audiences on a journey across the Pilbara region of Western Australia for a story brimming with adventure and heart. Screenwest is excited to support Tyson Mowarin, Robyn Marais, the Weerianna Street Media team and the Roebourne community to bring this fast-paced and funny original project to life and share their work with a national audience.
Thalu premieres on NITV, SBS On Demand and ABC ME in 2020.
Thalu cast. Photo credit Tyson Mowarin
MEDIA ENQUIRIES Hannah Pemberton
0466 336 207 | [email protected]
Related MaterialsDownload PDF
Media enquiries Jessica Parry | Senior Publicist
61 2 8113 5833 | 61 428 767 836 | [email protected]
Lidia Williams | Publicist and Events Officer
61 2 8113 1091 | 61 468 784 170 | [email protected]
All other general/non-media enquiries Sydney 61 2 8113 5800 | Melbourne 61 3 8682 1900 | [email protected]
LINK: | https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/sa/media-centre/news/2019/09-25-nit... |
See more stories from screenaustralia |
More from Screen Aus
24/04/2024
Screen Australia celebrates Australian projects bound for Cannes Film Festival 2024
24 04 2024 - Media release Screen Australia celebrates Australian projects bound...
18/04/2024
Screen Australia and Dynamic Television announce new Scripted Initiative
18 04 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and Dynamic Television announce new Scripted Initiative Savage River Screen Australia and Los Angeles-based telev...
11/04/2024
Screen Australia and Meta launch fourth year of First Nations Creators Program for Instagram
11 04 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and Meta launch fourth year of First...
10/04/2024
Screen Australia announces over $2.3 million for nine documentaries
10 04 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $2.3 million for nine documentaries Guardians of the River Screen Australia has announced nine doc...
21/03/2024
Screen Australia announces over $1.6 million in support of the games industry
21 03 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $1.6 million in support of the games industry Which Way Up: Galaxy Games Screen Australia has anno...
18/03/2024
Screen Australia and VicScreen launch new Screen Careers initiative
18 03 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and VicScreen launch new Screen Careers initiative LTR Denise Eriksen, Esther Coleman Hawkins, Caroline Pitcher, K...
15/03/2024
The Creators 2024 Participants Announced
15 03 2024 - Media release The Creators 2024 Participants Announced The Creators program recipients. L-R Thomas Duncan-Watt, Vanessa Gazy, Sarah Lambert, Lea...
13/03/2024
Screen Australia announces dramas Critical Incident and Sunny Nights for Stan
13 03 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces dramas Critical Incident and Sunny Nights for Stan Critical Incident: Akshay Khanna and Zoe Boe. Photo c...
28/02/2024
Screen Australia announces over $810,000 in development funding for 29 projects
28 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $810,000 in development funding for 29 projects Willy Screen Australia has announced 23 feature fi...
27/02/2024
Michael Ebeid AM appointed as new Screen Australia Chair
27 02 2024 - Media release Michael Ebeid AM appointed as new Screen Australia Chair Michael Ebeid AM and Megan Brownlow The Hon. Minister for the Arts, Tony...
21/02/2024
Screen Australia and Australians in Film Announce Applications Open for UNTAPPED 2024
21 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and Australians in Film Announce App...
15/02/2024
Screen Australia announces over $560,000 for crew and gamemaker skills programs
15 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $560,000 for crew and gamemaker skills programs Liz Keogh Palmer (Australian Production Design Guil...
13/02/2024
Six Australian projects bound for South by Southwest Festival in the US
22 01 2024 - Media release Six Australian projects bound for South by Southwest Festival in the US Audrey, Birdeater, The Moogai Six Australian screen projec...
12/02/2024
Screen Australia and YouTube Australia Launch Skip Ahead 9
12 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and YouTube Australia Launch Skip Ahead 9 Uncovering Street Dance: Australia from Skip Ahead 8. Photographed by Ry...
08/02/2024
Screen Australia and ABC announce Bay of Fires is back for season two
08 02 2024 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce Bay of Fires is back for season two Marta Dusseldorp as Stella in Bay of Fires ABC, Screen Austr...
22/01/2024
Five Australian projects bound for South by Southwest Festival in the US
22 01 2024 - Media release Five Australian projects bound for South by Southwest Festival in the US Audrey, Birdeater, The Moogai Five Australian screen proj...
17/01/2024
Brendan Cowell and Asher Keddie star in Screen Australia and ABC's new drama series Plum
17 01 2024 - Media release Brendan Cowell and Asher Keddie star in Screen Austra...
14/12/2023
Screen Australia announces over $6.9 million of production funding for 11 projects
14 12 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $6.9 million of produ...
12/12/2023
Applications open for The Creators program
12 12 2023 - Media release Applications open for The Creators program The Creators program Screen Australia and the Australian Writers Guild (AWG) have annou...
11/12/2023
Screen Australia announces Talent USA: New York recipients 2023
11 12 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces Talent USA: New York recipients 2023 Enoch Mailangi, Noora Niasari, Hannah Carroll Chapman Screen Austr...
30/11/2023
Screen Australia announces 14 placements through BTL: Next Step Stage 2
30 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces 14 placements through BTL: Next Step Stage 2 Image courtesy: Screen Warriors Screen Australia has annou...
29/11/2023
Screen Australia announces over $1.7 million for seven documentaries
29 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $1.7 million for seven documentaries Deeper Screen Australia has announced three documentaries fun...
23/11/2023
Screen Australia announces over $900,000 in development funding for 31 projects
23 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $900,000 in development funding for 31 projects Wishes Screen Australia has announced 18 feature f...
10/11/2023
Cameras roll in Canberra on new ABC comedy Austin
09 11 2023 - Media release Cameras roll in Canberra on new ABC comedy Austin Austin - Ben Miller, Michael Theo, Sally Phillips Screen Australia, ABC, ITV Stu...
10/11/2023
Screen Australia, SBS and NITV announce Digital Originals shortlist for 2023
10 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia, SBS and NITV announce Digital Originals shortlist for 2023 Screen Australia Digital Originals Workshop. Image by ...
09/11/2023
Kangaroo Beach to return for a third series
09 11 2023 - Media release Kangaroo Beach to return for a third series Kangaroo Beach Series 3 Screen Australia and ABC are thrilled to announce that a third...
09/11/2023
Screen Australia and ABC announce TV adaptation of Shaun Tan's Tales From Outer Suburbia
09 11 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce TV adaptation of Sh...
08/11/2023
Applications Open for Screen Australia's Enterprise 2024 Program
08 11 2023 - Media release Applications Open for Screen Australia's Enterprise 2024 Program Behind the scenes of Total Control 3 - Wayne Blair, Jub Clerc ...
02/11/2023
Drama Report 2022/23: $2.34 billion spent in Australia from 213 productions
02 11 2023 - Media release Drama Report 2022/23: $2.34 billion spent in Australia from 213 productions NCIS: Sydney, The New Boy, Ginger and the Vegesaurs. S...
01/11/2023
Daisy Ridley set to star in Zak Hilditch's new film We Bury the Dead in Western Australia
01 11 2023 - Media release Daisy Ridley set to star in Zak Hilditch's new fi...
31/10/2023
Deirdre Brennan appointed as new Screen Australia CEO
31 10 2023 - Media release Deirdre Brennan appointed as new Screen Australia CEO Screen Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Deirdre Brennan a...
31/10/2023
Screen Australia announces participants in Access Coordinator Training Program
31 10 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces participants in Access Coordinator Training Program Access Coordinator Training Program workshop in Sydn...
31/10/2023
Screen Australia and NITV announce Journey Home - David Gulpilil
31 10 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and NITV announce Journey Home - David Gulpilil Writer/director/producers Maggie Miles and Trisha Morton-Thomas, a...
30/10/2023
South Australian-Made feature film With or Without You announced
30 10 2023 - Media release South Australian-Made feature film With or Without You announced With or Without You stars Melina Vidler, Marta Dusseldorp and Albe...
30/10/2023
Screen Australia and SBS announce new intoxicating romance Four Years
31 10 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and SBS announce new intoxicating romance Four Years L-R: Mithila Gupta (creator/writer), Nicole Reddy (writer), S...
17/10/2023
Applications open for Fresh Cuts Documentary Pitch Initiative
17 10 2023 - Media release Applications open for Fresh Cuts Documentary Pitch Initiative Screen Australia and the Australian International Documentary Confere...
09/10/2023
Screen Australia and Instagram Announce Recipients of 2023 First Nations Creator Program
09 10 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and Instagram Announce Recipients of...
06/10/2023
Australians in Film and Screen Australia bring Hollywood luminaries to SXSW Sydney
06 10 2023 - Media release Australians in Film and Screen Australia bring Hollyw...
05/10/2023
Talent Gateway and Global Producers Exchange applications open
05 10 2023 - Media release Talent Gateway and Global Producers Exchange applications open Screen Australia and Australians in Film (AiF) are delighted to anno...
03/10/2023
Screen Australia launches new games funding for 2023 and beyond
03 10 2023 - Media release Screen Australia launches new games funding for 2023 and beyond Neyyah: Defy Reality Entertainment Screen Australia is pleased to ...
25/09/2023
Screen Australia announces over $10 million of production funding for nine projects
25 09 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $10 million of produc...
14/09/2023
Cameras Roll on Asher Keddie and David Wenham in Drama Series Fake
14 09 2023 - Media release Cameras Roll on Asher Keddie and David Wenham in Drama Series Fake Fake stars Asher Keddie and David Wenham Screen Australia and P...
13/09/2023
Untapped 2023 Development Lab Participants Announced
13 09 2023 - Media release Untapped 2023 Development Lab Participants Announced 2023 Untapped Participants Screen Australia and Australians in Film today an...
07/09/2023
Screen Australia announces applications are open for two below-the-line programs
07 09 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces applications are open for two below-the-line programs Screen Australia is pleased to announce two progra...
30/08/2023
Screen Australia and Stan announce three new drama series
29 08 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and Stan announce three new drama series L-R: Dylan River (Thou Shalt Not Steal), Bonnie Moir (Exposure), Nicholas...
28/08/2023
New Original Drama Mix Tape Announced
28 08 2023 - Media release New Original Drama Mix Tape Announced Mix Tape director Lucy Gaffy and writer Jo Spain BINGE, Screen Australia and Screen Ireland ...
28/08/2023
Screen Australia and ABC announce Maggie Beer's Big Mission
28 08 2023 - Media release Screen Australia and ABC announce Maggie Beer's Big Mission Maggie Beer s Big Mission Screen Australia, ABC and Screenwest hav...
24/08/2023
Screen Australia announces over $4.6 million in Enterprise funding
24 08 2023 - Media release Screen Australia announces over $4.6 million in Enterprise funding Enterprise Business funding recipients Kauthar Abdulalim (Blac...
24/08/2023
Cameras roll on new Screen Australia and ABC comedy, White Fever
24 08 2023 - Media release Cameras roll on new Screen Australia and ABC comedy, White Fever White Fever creator and actor Ra Chapman and actor Chris Pang. Ima...
18/08/2023
Five Australian projects selected for Toronto International Film Festival 2023
18 08 2023 - Media release Five Australian projects selected for Toronto International Film Festival 2023 Shayda Five Australian projects have been selected ...