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 linguistically diverse, First Nations Australians, people with disability, female and gender diverse, LGBTQIA+; and those who are located in regional and remote areas. It continues to prove itself as an effective pathway for creators to advance their skills, and as a launch-pad for their projects to attract local interest and break into international markets.In November last year, SBS, NITV and Screen Australia revealed the 10 projects shortlisted for the next round of Digital Originals. The creative teams behind each undertook an exclusive workshop culminating in pitching their programs, and up to five to be announced this year as being selected for further development funding. Up to three will then be chosen for production funding and commissioning with SBS, NITV and Screen Australia.
