15th National Remote Indigenous Media Festival

The National Remote Indigenous Media Festival was held in Western Arrernte country at Ntaria (Hermannsburg) Community, Northern Territory, from 2 - 8 October 2013 and was a great success with over 180 delegates coming together from across Australia to showcase, celebrate and develop the remote Indigenous media sector.

The slogan for this year’s festival was Ngkitja Arr-kunna, meaning ‘Happy Voices’, and it set the tone for a positive and creative mood throughout the festival.

The event was proudly co-hosted by the Indigenous Remote Communications Association (IRCA) and Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA), and supported by key partner Indigenous  Community Television (ICTV). It included a packed program of nightly video screenings, daily skills workshops, industry forums, AGMs and visits to country. It also provided a concentrated  point for Government, funding and peak industry bodies to converge and talk to the remote sector,  and discuss future direction and ideas.

The festival was broadcast live by CAAMA Radio 8KIN FM, with many Remote Indigenous Media  Organisations (RIMOs) from across Australia rebroadcasting CAAMA Radio’s coverage.

The festival began with Traditional Owners Conrad Ratara and Mervyn Raggett welcoming the delegates to country.

The festival brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community broadcasters and media producers from remote Australia and provides delegates with an opportunity to network, share  stories, learn new skills and technologies, develop partnerships, and receive recognition and  encouragement for their work.

It included a series of daily skills workshops, Industry forums and nightly screenings of delegates work. Nightly films were screened by Indigenous Community Television (ICTV).

A highlight of the festival was the Remote Media Awards Ceremony on the Closing night. This year’s major award winners included:

• The Preston Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement awarded to Annette Victor of the PAKAM network.

• The Mr McKenzie Award for Outstanding Contribution to Remote Indigenous Television (sponsored by  ICTV) was awarded to Noeli Roberts of Ngaanyatjarra Media.

• The new NITV Spirit Award was presented by Tanya Denning (Channel Manager, NITV), went to PAW  Media’s for ‘First Contact’ a short animated oral history film.

• The John Macumba Indigenous Community Media Operator of the Year Award (presented by CAAMA) went to Noel Heenan, PAW Media network.

• The Steve McGregor Award for Bes Emerging Talent (presented by TEABBA) went to Louisa Anson, Erub Arts, Torres Strait Islands.

• The Mr Garawirrtja Memorial Award for Contribution to Media, Entertainment and the Arts was  awarded to Warren H Williams, CAAMA network.

For contact details and photos of award winners and the festival, please contact: [email protected]. Further details about the festival are available at www.irca.net.au.