From an island off the coast of Lutruwita to the global stage in France SBS & NITV Original series Moonbird to feature at Series Mania 2025
14 February, 2025
Media releases
Upcoming SBS and NITV Digital Originals series, Moonbird, will premiere on the international stage at the prestigious TV festival, Series Mania, next month.
The series, set on a remote island off the coast of Lutruwita (Tasmania), exploring Palawa culture and the tradition of muttonbirding, has been announced as one of eight to be featured in the Short Forms Competition this year, and the third Digital Originals series to be selected for the festival held annually in Lille, France.
Now in its fifth year, Digital Originals is a partnership between SBS, National Indigenous Television (NITV) and Screen Australia to develop exciting, innovative and risk-taking short-form dramas to premiere on SBS On Demand, SBS VICELAND and NITV, from emerging screen creatives who are currently under-represented in the sector.
Moonbird (6 x 10 minutes) is one of three new Digital Originals that will premiere in 2025, announced last year alongside Pasifika led series, Moni, and Western Australian production, Warm Props.
Moonbird is a co-production between the first-ever Tasmanian Aboriginal screen production company, Kutikina Productions, and Sheoak Films. Produced by Catherine Pettman and Adam Thompson, the series explores the relationship between a recently sober father and his son who attempt to reconnect through a traditional muttonbirding season on a remote Tasmanian island only to face cultural and personal crises that threaten their relationship and force them to confront their family's disturbing history. The compelling series is directed, co-created, and co-written by Nathan Maynard, and co-created and co-written by Adam Thompson.
Bundjalung actor, Lennox Monaghan (Windcatcher), plays Sonny Beeton, a 13-year-old Palawa boy navigating the complexities of his world, joined by Badimya-Yamiji and Noongar actor, Kyle Morrison (The Visitors, Sydney Theatre Company; Romeo & Juliet, Bell Shakespeare; Macbeth, Bell Shakespeare, Heartland), as Sonny's father, Aaron Cracka' Beeton, a man shaped by his past and the challenges of raising his son. The cast also includes Nick Farnell (Prey, Thai Cave Rescue, The Newsreader, The Dry), as Frank The Skipper'.
Principal production funding has been provided from Screen Australia in association with SBS, with support from Screen Tasmania. Developed with assistance of Screen Australia and SBS.
Moonbird's selection at Series Mania follows previous Digital Originals to be featured at the festival, with Latecomers shown in competition in 2023, and Iggy & Ace in 2021.
Following the announcement, series co-writer and producer, Adam Thompson, said: Moonbird is a deeply personal story that explores relationships, resilience, and cultural connection in a way that feels both intimate and universal. We're thrilled to premiere at Series Mania and share this uniquely Tasmanian story with an international audience. Bringing Moonbird to life has been an incredible journey, made possible by an amazing cast and crew who have poured their talent and dedication into this project. I'm proud to share this story with the world.
Producer, Catherine Pettman, added: Premiering Moonbird at Series Mania is an incredible opportunity to showcase our work on a global stage. We're excited to connect with international audiences and find the right home for the series beyond Australia.
SBS Head of Scripted, Nakul Legha, said: Congratulations to the team behind Moonbird for this incredible recognition. Moonbird is a uniquely powerful and distinctive Australian series that rightly deserves to shine on the global stage at Series Mania. It is further affirmation of the ambition and quality of our short form original series through Digital Originals, which continues to launch a new wave of Australia's most exciting storytellers.
Head of Commissioning and Production for NITV, Dena Curtis, added: Moonbird is a beautifully crafted and compelling story centred in the ancient tradition and cultural practice of muttonbirding. We can't wait to see it shared with a global audience, alongside other series from around the world, at Series Mania this year. Digital Originals continues to play an important role in supporting the development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives, and elevating First Nations stories. Good luck to all involved.
Screen Australia Head of Online and Games, Lee Naimo, said: Digital Originals continues to be a springboard for emerging creators to grow their skills and bring diverse Australian stories to screen. From the early stages of scripts and pitching, the team behind Moonbird have created an evocative and distinctively Australian story that is compelling and authentic. Through the Digital Originals workshops and development, the unique voice of Moonbird has been elevated, demanding attention on the world stage. I'm delighted to see it recognised and celebrated at Series Mania.
Manager of Screen Tasmania, Alex Sangston, also added that it was thrilling to see a local Tasmanian production be invited to an international television festival. Series Mania is the most prestigious television festival in the world, so to screen the first production from a Palawa-run company telling the story of a Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural practice is incredibly special, to say the least. I am pleased that diverse Tasmanian stories such as Moonbird are being shared with international audiences, and I can't wait for local audiences to view the series when it airs later this year, Mr Sangston said.Digital Originals was created to elevate talent historically under-represented in the sector, including people who identify as culturally and linguistical
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
06/05/2026
Gravity Media Chief RF Communications Engineer Glenn Willems uses Wisycom RF over Fiber and wireless solutions across major cycling events and international mar...
06/05/2026
A Sennheiser Spectera module is now available in Bitfocus Companion and Buttons, enabling direct integration of Spectera with the two software platforms. The mo...
06/05/2026
Ted Turner, the visionary media entrepreneur whose appetite for disruption helpe...
06/05/2026
Peacock is going all-in on the beautiful game - streaming all 104 FIFA World Cup...
06/05/2026
New pricing tiers for vocal/dialogue restoration tool
NoiseWorks Audio's AI-powered vocal and dialogue processing plug-in is now available in three diff...
06/05/2026
Popular mixing & routing software overhauled
Following a recent public beta test, RME have launched the final release version of the powerful mixing and rou...
06/05/2026
New SOS Video Feature
Focusrites ISA C8X is a milestone product that brings together the companys analogue heritage and their expertise in digital audio. Yo...
06/05/2026
Polands Miecznik-class frigates are part of the largest contract in Polish shipbuilding history. (Image Credit: PGZ Stocznia Wojenna)...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Riedel Communications today announced the expansion of its leadership structure as part of a strategic initiative to strengthen both its operational management ...
06/05/2026
For nearly three decades, Veteran Production Sound Mixer and Five-time Emmy Award Winner Dirk Sciarrotta has helped define the sonic identity of the long-runnin...
06/05/2026
ZEISS CinCraft LensCore: Cinema Lens Looks for Compositing
Brie Clayton May 6, 2026
0 Comments
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a nove...
06/05/2026
Wisycom Solves Extreme RF Challenges Across Miles of Live Action for Gravity Med...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Narrative Entertainment has partnered with Encompass to deliver high-quality subtitling of its Great! network content using the Altitude Intelligence AI assiste...
06/05/2026
SipRadius, widely recognized for making content processing and connectivity secure and seamless, is proud to launch a dramatic new approach to AI content creati...
06/05/2026
When the broadband and media industry gathers at ANGA COM in Cologne from May 19 to 21, Big Blue Marble will be at the forefront. The international broadcast an...
06/05/2026
Cinegy GmbH, a leading developer of software-defined television technology, is proud to exhibit at MPTS for the first time. Visitors to the stand will discover ...
06/05/2026
Val Jeanty Receives 2026 Doris Duke Artist Award Jeanty, a composer, percussionist, and turntablist, is the fourth Berklee recipient of the prestigious award ...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
06/05/2026
When live cycling races and international marathons stretch for miles across cities and countryside, there is no margin for RF failure in live broadcast. As Chi...
06/05/2026
Oberkochen/Germany, May 5, 2026
ZEISS announces the launch of CinCraft LensCore, a novel solution for creating physically based cinematic lens looks for visual...
06/05/2026
06 May 2026
VEON's Kyivstar Authorized to Resell Starlink for Businesses & ...
06/05/2026
UKTV has secured the exclusive rights to the early back catalogue of iconic Australian drama series Neighbours, following a landmark content deal with Fremantle...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky commissions feature documentary to mark 10th anniversa...
06/05/2026
Wednesday 6 May 2026
Sky and Formula 1 agree long-term partnership across UK, Ireland and Italy
Sky in the UK & Ireland to remain the home of Formula 1 until ...
06/05/2026
Sky Zero Footprint Fund-backed TV campaign launches nationwide, supported by new...
06/05/2026
Wuppertal May 6, 2026
Riedel Expands Leadership Structure, Appoints Marc Engro...
06/05/2026
SAN JOSE, Calif. - May 6, 2026 - Harmonic (NASDAQ: HLIT) today announced its latest broadband innovations for ANGA COM 2026, highlighting its vision for a new e...
06/05/2026
Statement from Rupert Murdoch, Chairman Emeritus, Fox Corporation on Ted Turner&...
06/05/2026
Friday 8 May on RT One and RT Player
Meet the NSPCA team caring for and protecting animals in need in this six-part series
Fly on the wall, six-part series...
06/05/2026
The race to build the world's most powerful AI factories demands networking ...
06/05/2026
How changes to proteins can alter drug interactions for new precision therapies Scripps Research team maps how chemical modifications to proteins affect drug bi...
05/05/2026
Experts from the world of academia, tech, business, politics and media convened for a Thomson Talks at the Cambridge Disinformation Summit in April. It's th...
05/05/2026
Three phones were hardwired for power and transmission to the truck; camera feat...
05/05/2026
The creative studio behind campaigns for the NBA, Fanatics Sportsbook & Casino, ...
05/05/2026
Nielsen has announced results from a co-viewing pilot program covering February&...
05/05/2026
viztrick AiDi, an on-device AI solution developed by Nippon TV, delivered global...
05/05/2026
ARRI has announced Omnibar, a battery-powered, IP65-rated multi-color LED linear...
05/05/2026
Imagine Communications has announced that France T l visions is the first broadc...
05/05/2026
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Bell Media today announced a multiyear agreement to broadcast and stream WNBA games in Canada beginni...
From an island off the coast of Lutruwita to the global stage in France SBS & NITV Original series Moonbird to feature at Series Mania 2025 
