NITV 2021
Going Places with Ernie Dingo S4
TX: January 2021 on NITV
Number of Episodes: 12 x 1hr / 12 x 30 mins
Australian television legend Ernie Dingo is back for another season of Going Places with Ernie Dingo in 2021. The new season follows Ernie as he explores the most beautifuldestinations that Australia has to offer, one place at a time.
Homeland Story
TX: January 2021 on NITV
An intimate portrait of Donydi, a remote, traditional Indigenous Homeland in North-East Arnhem Land in the far North of Australia. This 90-minute film charts the community’s transition from nomadic life to the digital age, from the 1960’s to the present day. Homeland Story documents their struggle to overcome corrosive government policy andmining interests and the fight to remain on their ancestral land.
Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau
TX: March 2021 on NITV
From Director Sam George, Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau is a 90-minute documentary that chronicles the remarkable life and times of the late Eddie Aikau – the legendary Hawaiian big wave surfer, pioneering lifeguard and ultimately doomed crew member of the Polynesian voyaging canoe, Hokulea.
Vai
TX: March 2021 on NITV
A portmanteau feature film brought together by nine female Pacific filmmakers and filmed on seven different Pacific islands. Vai is a 90-minute film that explores the journey of empowerment through culture, from the perspective of one woman’s lifetime.
Strait to the Plate
TX: April 2021 on NITV
Number of Episodes: 5 x 30min
Strait to the Plate unearths a feast of signature Torres Strait Islander culinary delights.The series sets its course, navigating throughout six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, providing a contemporary snapshot of the people, food and life in the Torres Strait Islands. Set against the turquoise blue sea, host Aaron Fa’aoso explores the tropical region with its white sandy beaches. Strung together with the sounds of island-fused reggae music, the series sets a tranquil tone, easing audiences into a more relaxed pace to transcend them all the way to the beautiful Torres Strait Islands. A Lone Star Company production for SBS. Produced with investment from Screen Queensland.
National Indigenous Music Awards
TX: August 2021 on NITV
The National Indigenous Music Awards (the NIMAs) will return to NITV in 2021, bringing Indigenous music and stories to audiences around Australia.
National Indigenous Fashion Awards
TX: August 2021 on NITV
In its second year, the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (the NIFAs) will return to NITV, providing a platform to celebrate the innovation, diversity and ethical practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and fashion designers.
The Fight Together
TX: Late 2021 on NITV
Number of Episodes: 1 x 75min
In 2012, a group of Indigenous NRL players including Dean Widders, Preston Campbell, Timana Tahu and George Rose came together to develop a pre-game ceremony torespond to New Zealand’s much-loved haka. Led by Dean, the team collaborated to build support for their vision. They set out to persuade the Australian Kangaroos team to perform the dance at the New Zealand and Australian Test in October 2020. The Fight Together explores Dean’s remarkable journey and looks at how it wasn’t football thatgave him his strength; it was his culture. An EQ Media production for SBS. Principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with SBS. Financed with support from Screen NSW.
Incarceration Nation
TX: 2021 on NITV
Number of Episodes: 1 x 90min
Australia was so-called settled by the English with one clear purpose – to create a prison island. Over 200 years later, not much has changed. Incarceration Nation is the tragic story of the continued systemic injustice and oppression of Aboriginal people in the justice system on their own land. The 90 -minute documentary takes audiences across the country to gain insight into systemic racism and the people affected by this national catastrophe. It shows the first-hand devastation, introduces the people trying to make a difference, and interviews some of the nation’s brightest minds. We listen to academics, lawyers and people at the coalface to get this issue to the top of the national agenda. A Bacon Factory Films production for NITV. Principal production investment from Screen Australia in association with NITV. Financed with support from Documentary Australia Foundation with Screen Queensland.
The First Inventors
TX: 2021 on NITV
Number of Episodes: 4 x 60min
The First Inventors, a co-commission currently in development with Network 10, will take you on a journey back through time to a community in the midst of developing sophisticated stone tools, art, agriculture, irrigation and much more. In this incredible story of knowledge, resilience and invention, presenter Rob Collins will meet and collaborate with First Nations authorities whose frontline fieldwork is giving us an exciting new insight into ancient Indigenous innovations and discoveries. Developed with the assistance of Screen Territory.
Little J and Big Cuz S3
TX: 2021 on NITV
Number of Episodes: 13 x 12 minutes
NITV’s Logie award-winning children’s animation Little J and Big Cuz is back for a third season in 2021. Miranda Tapsell returns as Little J, alongside Deborah Mailman as Big Cuz and Aaron Fa’aso as Old Dog, as they get caught up in surprising adventures, and find out all about culture, community and country. Little J & Big Cuz Season 3 is a Ned Lander Media production for NITV and ABC Children’s. Major production investment from Screen Australia, in association with NITV. Financed with support from the ABC, with Film Victoria, Screen Tasmania and the Australian Council for Educational Research. International sales by the Australian Children’s Television Foundation.
RETURNING NITV NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS IN 2021
In 2021, our dedicated team of NITV journalists across the country will continue to deliver breaking news, cover big stories and explore the issues that matter most to communities across Australia. NITV’s flagship program The Point is back with hosts Rachael Hocking and John Paul Janke joined by key commentators and high-profile personalities each week to discuss all the stories you need to know through a unique Indigenous perspective. Karla Grant returns for another season of Living Black, where she sits down with inspiring and influential people to delve into issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, bringing personal insight to extraordinary stories. Veteran journalist Natalie Ahmat and our team of Indigenous journalists are also back on your screens seven days a week in 2021 with daily editions of NITV News and Friday national wrap program Nula.
RETURNING NITV SPORT IN 2021
Championing young, diverse players and perspectives, Yokayi Footy returns. to NITV in March. Viewers will get their footy fix, be treated to player interviews, and enjoy moving community stories as football and Indigenous culture intersect. Over the Black Dot also returns in March, with an all-Indigenous panel covering NRL highlights alongside special guests, championing Indigenous achievements and having some laughs along the way. After the 50th anniversary of the Koori Knockout was postponed to 2021, the tournament will return to its home on NITV, live in October.