
14 05 2019 - Media release Filmmakers announced for Cook 2020: Our Right of Reply
Cook 2020: Our Right of Reply filmmakers and producers
Screen Australia and the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) are pleased to announce the eight Indigenous teams from Australia and New Zealand who will work on a joint anthology feature, Cook 2020: Our Right of Reply, entitled Ng Pouwhenua in New Zealand.
The teams will each create a short chapter for the feature film, which will provide an Indigenous perspective on the 250th anniversary of James Cook's maiden voyage to the Pacific.
Mitchell Stanley (Servant or Slave) from Australia, and Bailey Mackey (All or Nothing; New Zealand All Blacks, associate producer on Hunt for the Wilderpeople) and Mia Henry-Teirney (Baby Mama's Club) from New Zealand have been chosen as co-producers and will collaborate with the teams to develop their concepts and the overarching narrative.
The teams and producers are attending a residential lab at Shark Island Institute in Kangaroo Valley to develop the film.
Screen Australia's Head of Indigenous, Penny Smallacombe said: This is a rare opportunity for creative collaboration between Indigenous cultures, from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. I'm inspired by the experience and talent of the filmmakers selected to helm this project. These teams have presented exceptional concepts, with stories exploring the past, present and future, with humour and horror, sadness and joy, in response to who we are and how we continue to survive the colonial experience.
I'm excited by their unique storytelling styles and individual voices, and how they will complement each other to create a powerful anthology. This unique feature film will shine a light on us, as it should, in this moment in time.
Congratulations to all the successful teams, says Annabelle Sheehan, NZFC CEO. I look forward to seeing how they transform their individual stories into a single, shared vision through the wananga (workshop) process. This is a unique opportunity for these filmmakers from Australia, New Zealand and across the Pacific to share their voices, stories and histories through examining the impact of Cook's arrival in our region.
The filmmakers from Australia are
Beck Cole, a writer/director renowned for her work in drama and documentary with projects including Here I Am, First Australians, Black Comedy and most recently Wentworth. Cole will team up with emerging writer/director Samuel Paynter, who has written for the children's show Little J & Big Cuz.
Dena Curtis who has written and directed compelling short films including Jacob and Hush and directed comedy drama 8MMM Aboriginal Radio. Curtis has also recently produced award-winning children's series Grace Beside Me and documentary series Elements.
Danielle MacLean whose work includes writing and directing Queen of Hearts, and writing episodes for Redfern Now and season two of Mystery Road. MacLean will be joined by producer Anna Grieve, who previously collaborated with her on Croker Island Exodus and Blown Away. Also joining the team is animator Huni Bolliger (Blown Away) who specialises in local storytelling.
Writer/director Tracey Rigney, whose credits include shorts Abalone and Man Real. Rigney has also worked across documentaries, webseries and feature films, and has written for TV series The Warriors.
The filmmakers from New Zealand are
Television producer, director and writer Tiraroa Debra Reweti who will be working on her first film project with Elise Francis, a producer who gained on television series P manawa, and has recently production managed Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen. They are joined by Chantelle Burgoyne who has written and directed short films Tatau and Sista, and worked in production on films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Writer/director Renae Maihi whose short film Redemption screened at Berlin and Sundance Film Festivals. Maihi recently wrote and directed a short film for Waru, an acclaimed anthology of eight short films created by Maori women which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Filmmaker Richard Curtis, creator and director of television series Hunting Aotearoa, as well as short film Ahi Kaa. Curtis will work with visual artist and writer/director Tim Worrall, whose credits include award-winning short films Tits on a Bull and The Road to Whakarae.
Actor, writer and director Mario Gaoa, known for his work on comedy series Bro-Town. Joining Gaoa is Miki Magasiva, a director who has worked on short films such as Brother and Uso which won the Dream Digital Award at Hawaii International Film Festival.
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]
Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories
09/07/2025
Explore Love Without Limits in a bold, funny and unapologetic SBS Audio podcast ...
08/07/2025
SBS strengthens commitment to inclusion with new commissioning guidelines
8 July, 2025
Media releases
SBS has launched new Commissioning Inclusion Guidelin...
08/07/2025
Secrets, Spies and Sabotage: 40 years on, SBS podcast investigates historic bomb...
07/07/2025
SBS Farewells Chair George Savvides AM
7 July, 2025
Media releases
Born of Greek Cypriot parents, Mr Savvides joined the SBS Board as Deputy Chair in Febru...
30/06/2025
SBS On Demand boosts global news offering with launch of France 24 FAST Channel
30 June, 2025
Media releases
SBS is expanding its international news offeri...
27/06/2025
27 06 2025 - Media release Game, set, action! Screen Australia and ABC announce new mini-series Goolagong
Marton Csokas and Lila McGuire of Goolagong. Image c...
26/06/2025
Buckle up for Great Australian Road Trips launching 31 July on SBS and SBS On De...
20/06/2025
Hit, run, oh sh#t: NITV and SBS get RECKLESS with filming underway in Western Au...
13/06/2025
Pure Drama and Fierce Rivalries set to dominate the world's most iconic spor...
12/06/2025
50 Years Strong: SBS and NITV Supercharge NAIDOC Week 2025 in a joint 50th celeb...
06/06/2025
06 06 2025 - Media release Award-Winning TV Creators Richard Gadd, Sally Wainwri...
03/06/2025
Stories of love, loyalty and self-discovery among six shortlisted Digital Origin...
28/05/2025
SBS celebrates 50 years of reflecting a diverse and contemporary Australia
28 May, 2025
Media releases
Marking 50 years of broadcasting on 9 June 2025, SBS...
28/05/2025
ABS and Verticloud announce a Strategic Partnership to accelerate Digital Transf...
22/05/2025
SBS and Screen Australia showcase the next wave of Australian storytellers with ...
22/05/2025
Rune Pedersen unpacks How Humans Talk in new SBS Audio podcast
22 May, 2025
Media releases
Ever caught yourself using baby talk with your pet and wondered ...
19/05/2025
Eurovision delivers strong Total TV audiences for SBS, dazzling more than 2.21 m...
16/05/2025
Proper Loved Up Stage One Recipients Announced
16 May, 2025
Media releases
Screen Australia's First Nations Department, the Australian Broadcasting Cor...
15/05/2025
Australia's boldest network SBS launches new brand campaign: We Go There...
15/05/2025
We Go There SBS On Demand's new Hub is entirely bold and unmistakably SBS
15 May, 2025
Media releases
The We Go There Hub brings together over 300 ti...
14/05/2025
ABS and SpaceBridge to Join Forces to Strengthen Managed Services Across Europe,...
13/05/2025
Alone Australia Season 3: The Reunion
13 May, 2025
Media releases
As the latest season nears its end, SBS's hit series brings full cast together for re...
13/05/2025
Teletimes interviews ABS CEO, Mark Rigolle...
12/05/2025
And They're Off! The Pure Drama of the Cycling Grand Tours Continues on SBS,...
12/05/2025
10 05 2025 - Media release Australian Filmmaker Lucy Mckendrick Set For Directin...
07/05/2025
SBS and NITV mark National Reconciliation Week with compelling premieres recogni...
07/05/2025
SBS commences search for a new Western Sydney production hub location
7 May, 2025
Media releases
SBS has today launched a Request for Expressions of Intere...
02/05/2025
SBS On Demand achieves stellar month on the back of Alone Australia and The Hand...
01/05/2025
01 05 2025 - Media release Screen Australia empowers 100 distinctive Australian narratives
All The Boys Are Here writer/director Goran Stolevski and It s All...
30/04/2025
Slam poet Huda the Goddess wins 2025 Les Murray Award
30 April, 2025
Media releases
Australia for UNHCR and SBS are proud to announce that Huda Fadlelmawla...
30/04/2025
SBS, NITV and NIDA partner to empower the next generation of screen creatives
30 April, 2025
Media releases
SBS, National Indigenous Television (NITV) and ...
23/04/2025
We heard that you could use a little pick-me-up, so get ready to sh-sh-shake it ...
22/04/2025
McAvaney takes the lead for SBS' Coverage of the World Athletics Championshi...
16/04/2025
Finalists announced! Five stand-out brands shortlisted for SBS Media's Susta...
15/04/2025
Claudia Karvan, Tom Gleeson, and Mark Coles Smith join in the adventure of a lif...
15/04/2025
SBS and Volleyball World sign landmark deal for Beach Volleyball World Champions...
14/04/2025
SBS becomes first Australian broadcaster to have near-and long-term carbon reduc...
11/04/2025
Isn't that Insightful? Kumi Taguchi dives deeper into Insight's taboo to...
09/04/2025
SBS On Demand partners with Euronews to extend network news offering
9 April, 2025
Media releases
SBS is expanding its international news offering with the...
09/04/2025
SBS announces TV's hottest new couple, Tony Armstrong and Courtney Act, as E...
09/04/2025
09 04 2025 - Media release Screen Australia and ACTF Kids IP Incubator Initiative enters next phase
Kids IP Incubator recipients in Melbourne for the workshop...
07/04/2025
Olympic Gold medallist and World Time Trial Champion Grace Brown joins SBS comme...
07/04/2025
Female focus: New season of Living Black highlights women in Federal Election ye...
07/04/2025
SBS News' Cost of Living Secrets podcast returns to tackle one of the key is...
04/04/2025
SBS announces initiatives to provide all Australians with trusted news and infor...
01/04/2025
01 04 2025 - Media release Bus Stop Films' first feature Boss Cat to begin production in June
Boss Cat cast (L-R): Olivia Hargroder, Penny Downie and Juli...
31/03/2025
Ready, set, Party Time!' SBS News empowers young voters with a new politica...
28/03/2025
Marion Grasby's Flavours of Heart & Home is a celebration of culture and fam...
28/03/2025
SBS delivers Federal Election news to Australians in over 60 languages
28 March, 2025
Media releases
As Australia heads to the polls on 3 May, Australia...