Media Spy Exclusive:
The Opening Ceremony of the Pacific Games had technical issues. This was shown for about 30 seconds:
Then for the next 2 minutes, was followed by commercials, and a brief screenshot saying something like “video not available”.
Luckily, is now back to showing the Opening Ceremony.
totally not a creepypasta right
National Indigenous Television (NITV) are proud to announce the voice cast of animated children’s comedy series Eddie’s Lil Homies, which premieres on NITV and Netflix in early 2024.
The 10-part series stars Hunter Page-Lochard (Cleverman, The Newsreader, Barons) as Eddie, Miah Madden (Bali 2002, The Clearing, The Bureau of Magical Things) as Lottie, Andrew Dang as Tal and Billy Betts (Eddie Betts’ eight-year-old son) as Junior.
Supporting cast members include Leela Varghese (A Beginner’s Guide to Grief, Totally Wild) as Shanti, James Smith as Lachie and Crystal Nguyen (Erotic Stories) as Decks.
L to R: Miah Madden, Hunter Page-Lochard, Billy Betts
Inspired by former AFL star Eddie Betts’ popular book series, Eddie’s Lil’ Homies joins Eddie and his ragtag group of friends on their playground adventures as they navigate the fun and challenges of friendship. Outside of home and away from school, their friends are family and the playground is their universe. It’s a world of competition, imagination and fantasy, where anything and everything is possible, where imaginary friends can be real, games of rock paper scissors can take on stupendous importance, and kindness, empathy and a good rap can help put anything right.
Eddie Betts, said: “It has been wonderful to see our Eddie’s Lil’ Homies characters come to life in the hands of such a talented cast headed by Hunter and Miah, and a great experience for my son Billy to be a part of the series and learn from such a diverse group of actors. Each of the cast members have brought so much fun to their character, we can’t wait for kids to laugh and rap along with them when they watch the series next year.”
NITV’s Head of Commissions, Marissa McDowell, said: “We are thrilled to be working with this group of brilliant and diverse actors on Eddie’s Lil’ Homies. At NITV, our purpose is to create content made by, for and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This beautiful children’s series is the next step in that journey, and we couldn’t do it without the help of Eddie Betts, Anna Scullie and their family, as well as Sophie Byrne, Netflix and ACTF.
“It’s so important for children to see themselves represented onscreen, and this exciting and humorous series does exactly that.”
ACTF Head of Content, Bernadette O’Mahony, said: “It has been great to see and hear Eddie, Tal, Lottie and their friends evolve from page to screen over the last year. Each of these talented actors have brought an authenticity to their role that we are truly grateful for – and they are very funny!”
Eddie’s Lil’ Homies is produced by Sophie Byrne (Scarygirl, The Lost Thing) of Highly Spirited, and Eddie Betts and Anna Scullie of Betts Promotions, along with Executive/Story Producer Mark O’Toole (Black Comedy).
A sneak peek of Eddie’s Lil’ Homies will screen at Taronga Zoo in Sydney from 20 December to 2 February as part of Netflix’s collaboration with Taronga Conservation Society. Shown in the Centenary Theatre at Taronga Zoo, Eddie’s Lil Homies is part of a captivating line up of specially curated children’s titles shown during the summer holidays.
Eddie’s Lil’ Homies is the first co-commission between Netflix and NITV, with major production investment from the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF). The series is produced by Betts Promotions and Highly Spirited. Executive Produced by Bernadette O’Mahony, and Mark O’Toole who also Story Produced. Animation director Arthur Moody, co-director Luke Jurevicius with animation services provided by Vishus Productions and post production services provided by Artisan Post Group. Eddie’s Lil’ Homies was filmed in South Australia and financed with the assistance of South Australian Film Corporation. The series is distributed by the ACTF.
Eddie’s Lil’ Homies premieres on NITV, Netflix and SBS On Demand in early 2024.
Thursday 25 January 8:30 pm
Molly Johnson’s husband is away droving sheep, leaving her alone to care for their four children in the remote Snowy Mountains. Despite being heavily pregnant, Molly (Purcell) keeps various threats, from nature and other people, at bay. But when Yadaka (Collins), an Aboriginal man on the run from white law enforcement, intrudes on the sanctuary she has carved out, the brutal hardships and secrets that have followed them both throughout their lives must be confronted.
National Indigenous Television (NITV), Netflix and the ACTF are proud to announce that new children’s comedy series Eddie’s Lil’ Homies, inspired by books from former AFL star Eddie Betts, will premiere on NITV and Netflix in Australia from 16 February 2024.
The 10-part series stars the voice talents of Hunter Page-Lochard (Cleverman, The Newsreader, Barons) as Eddie, Miah Madden (Bali 2002, The Clearing, The Bureau of Magical Things) as Lottie, Andrew Dang as Tal and Billy Betts (Eddie Betts’ eight-year-old son) as Junior.
Additional cast members include Leela Varghese (A Beginner’s Guide to Grief, Totally Wild) as Shanti, James Smith as Lachie and Crystal Nguyen (Erotic Stories) as Decks.
Inspired by Eddie’s popular book series, Eddie’s Lil’ Homies joins Eddie and his ragtag group of friends on their playground adventures as they navigate the fun and challenges of friendship. Outside of home and away from school, their friends are family and the playground is their universe. It’s a world of competition, imagination and fantasy, where anything and everything is possible, where imaginary friends can be real, games of rock paper scissors can take on stupendous importance, and kindness, empathy and a good rap can help put anything right.
Eddie’s Lil’ Homies is produced by Sophie Byrne (Scarygirl, The Lost Thing) of Highly Spirited, and Eddie Betts and Anna Scullie of Betts Promotions, along with Executive/Story Producer Mark O’Toole (Black Comedy).
Eddie’s Lil’ Homies is the first co-commission between Netflix and NITV, with major production investment from the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF). The series is produced by Betts Promotions and Highly Spirited. Executive Produced by Bernadette O’Mahony, and Mark O’Toole who also Story Produced. Animation director Arthur Moody, co-director Luke Jurevicius with animation services provided by Vishus Productions and post production services provided by Artisan Post Group. Eddie’s Lil’ Homies was produced in South Australia and financed with the assistance of South Australian Film Corporation. The series is distributed by the ACTF.
Eddie’s Lil’ Homies premieres on Friday 16 February 2024 at 7.30pm on NITV and from midnight on Netflix in Australia and New Zealand.
It will also be available to stream on SBS On Demand, captioned in English with subtitles in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Korean, with audio description available.
Sunday 4 February 7:30 pm
No Māori Allowed is a searing documentary, told through the lives of different Māori community figures whose life was each shaped by a deep and dark racist past in the small township of Pukekohe.
As New Zealand schools rolled out revised history studies and campaigns to confront racism, one South Auckland town found itself confronted by its “secret” racist past. In Pukekohe, meetings were called to discuss an academic’s ‘revelations’ about the town’s history of racism and racial segregation.
Segregation is rarely – if ever - part of any conversation about New Zealand’s past. Suddenly, Pukekohe was reeling from accusations that it was the most racist town in the country. Now, Kaumātua are standing up to share their never-before-heard accounts of racial abuse, violence and neglect. They are determined to rewrite the town’s history before it’s too late.
Very interesting choice of movie on tonight on NITV- Not Without My Daughter- a 1991 film that not only has zero relevance to Indigenous Australians, but was heavily criticised on release for being xenophobic, Islamophobic and inciting distrust against Iranian men in particular.
Given the intended nature of the channel it seems very out of place to say the least.
Thursday 7 March 8.30pm (5 parts)
Cree code talker Aline Spears survives her traumatic past in Canada’s residential school system to continue her family’s generational fight against systemic starvation, racism and sexual abuse.
From Tuesday 12 March 10:15 PM
In this new season of Hunting Aotearoa, join skilled hunter gatherer, Peter Peeti as he heads to the northern Wairarapa district of Paihiatua in search of wild game.
Friday 15 March 9:25 PM
Take a seat, sit back, and get ready for another haircut: Calvin opens up shop once again in Barbershop 2: Back in Business, a sequel to the original comedy smash hit.
Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, Sean Patrick Thomas, Eve, Troy Garity, Michael Ealy, and Leonard Earl Howze – they’re still cutting hair and cutting up in Calvin’s shop on the South Side of Chicago, with Oscar®-nominee Queen Latifah joining the fun as Gina, a stylist at the beauty shop next door, and Kenan Thompson stepping in as a
rookie trying to earn his clippers.Calvin (Ice Cube) is no longer in danger of losing his shop – but his neighbourhood is in danger of losing its identity. Intent on “regentrifying” the South Side, a money-hungry corporation is moving into the community, and the area’s “mom and pop” establishments are at risk. Can they take a stand before it’s too late?
Looks like Yokayi Footy will not air on NITV this year. Instead, a new episode of Yokayi Footy Shorts, hosted by Megan Waters, will drop each Tuesday on the AFL website. Each episode is around five minutes long.
Tuesday 16 April 8:30pm
DJ Target and Krept & Konan launch the latest search for UK’s next rap star. For the first time ever, a duo is among the artists competing for £20,000.
Intimate and candid access to the First Nations officers changing police cultures from within.
The much anticipated second instalment of the powerful observational documentary series Our Law, which explores the relationship between police and First Nations peoples, will premiere on National Indigenous Television (NITV) and SBS on Thursday 9 May from 8.30pm.
Expanding from Western Australia and crossing state lines into New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the Torres Strait for series two, the audience rides along with Aboriginal officers on the frontline in jurisdictions right around Australia as they attempt to change the system from within and break the cycle of Indigenous incarceration.
This eight-part docu series continues to break new ground, privy to frontline police operations, squad-car conversations, high stakes decision making and the powerful personal journeys of First Nations police officers and recruits around Australia.
In series two, Leroy Rundle and Ace Keirnan, who appeared as Western Australian police cadets in series one, face new challenges in their roles as a Recruit and a Custody Officer. The series also follows Sergeant Alan Kickett from West Australian Police; Aboriginal Community Liaison Officers (ACLO) Melissa Muter, Scott Mieni and Narelle Dickson from NSW Police Force; Sergeant Melissa Peters from Victoria Police; and Senior Constable Patricia Pedro, Constable Jarwin Blackman, and Constable Laurie Bateman from Queensland Police Service, as they work in various communities. The series is once again narrated by acclaimed Australian actor Deborah Mailman.
With its unique truth-telling, Our Law follows multiple stories and cameras are granted intimate and candid access as they follow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander police out on the beat in a diverse range of locations and communities around Australia, each with its own unique history, culture and policing needs. These locations include Perth and Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, Nambucca Heads and Redfern in New South Wales, Ballarat in Victoria, Caboolture and in Queensland, Thursday Island in the Torres Strait and more.
The original creative team returns for the second series, including director Perun Bonser (Star Dreaming, Noongar Footy Magic), and producers Taryne Laffar of PiNK PEPPER (KGB, On Country Kitchen) and Sam Bodhi Field of Periscope Pictures (Behind the Blue Line, Virtual Whadjuk).
NITV’s Head of Commissions, Marissa McDowell, said: “Our Law has unprecedented access as it follows 11 members of police services across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, the Torres Strait and Western Australia. The seriesdemonstrates the importance of Indigenous police working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to build trust and bridge the gap of communication.
“This is a documentary for all Australians, so that Indigenous peoples are seen and heard, including those who work in the police system and those who engage with police. NITV has worked with the Our Law team to bring this vital series to a national audience.”
Series Director, Perun Bonser, said, “It is my hope that the series seeds critically important national conversations, which must take place now, if we are to establish a system of law that is fair for everyone. The responsibility of building a relationship between the police and Indigenous communities is on all of us.”
Our Law is a PiNK PEPPER Pty Ltd and Periscope Pictures Pty Ltd production for NITV. Principal production investment from Screen Australia’s First Nations Department, in association with NITV. Financed with support from Screenwest and Lotterywest.
Screen Australia’s Head of First Nations, Angela Bates said: “The First Nations Department is proud to support Our Law’s evolution over the last few years, a series that highlights the importance of First Nations police officers and cadets in breaking down barriers, creating awareness and understanding, and healing deeply fractured relationships. It skilfully navigates and weaves together the compelling journeys of these officers, while giving voice to the communities being policed. We’re looking forward to watching season two, the stories and conversations that will come out of it, and the impact it has on Australian audiences”.
Screenwest CEO, Rikki Lea Bestall said: “Screenwest is proud to have supported Our Law from its inception as a groundbreaking half hour documentary to a full series and now a second series. PiNK PEPPER and Periscope Pictures are forces of nature who, together with director, Perun Bonser have once again produced a compelling series which will undoubtedly encourage deeper cultural understanding and healing amongst our First Nations community, the Australian Police and all Australians.”
Our Law Series 2 airs weekly on NITV and SBS on Thursday 9 May from 8.30pm with a double episode.
Our Law is also available to stream for free on SBS on Demand, with all episodes being released on 9 May. Captions in English and subtitles in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese will be available on SBS On Demand. The series will also be available with audio description for blind and low vision audiences.
Friday 19 April 7:45 pm
He’s Steve Irwin: Crocodile Hunter. He’s Steve Irwin: wildlife crusader. He’s Steve Irwin: real-life action hero. But Steve Irwin: international spy?
That’s the absurd assumption that lands the world’s favorite adventurer smack in the middle of an espionage incident that goes from the Aussie Outback all the way to the White House. In the first big-screen Crocodile Hunter movie, a comedy-of-errors causes the CIA to suspect Steve and Terri Irwin in a case of high-security data theft.
From Tuesday 16 April 9:20 pm
An old man asks some young blokes to retrieve his tractor that’s missing a wheel and stuck at a remote outstation far from his Ramingining home.
The Fearless Four – Chico, Dino, Joe and Jerome – set off on their latest adventure with borrowed or stolen gear, a giant wheel and little else apart from their innate ingenuity and soaring spirits.
As they traverse the croc-infested estuaries and sweeping plains of their Arnhem Land homelands they find a way around countless dead-ends, mishaps and equipment failures that would leave most of us at wits’ end, staring death in the eye.
From Thursday 2 May 8:30 PM
Teine Sā is a contemporary horror television series based on supernatural legends from across the Pacific Islands. Teine Sā are the ancient spirit women, many of whom are malevolent, and others who bestow blessings.
After centuries of slumber, the Teine Sā have been evoked once again. Set in the modern-day Pacific, ordinary women have encounters with ancient goddesses who help them in their struggles and leave lessons in their wake.
NITV has announced the appointment of Michael Rennie as Presenter and Senior Producer for NITV News, adding a regular Queensland-based presenter to the Indigenous News and Current Affairs teams’ experienced line-up.
A proud Yorta Yorta and Gunditjmara man with a passion for sport and 20 years of broadcast experience, Rennie comes to NITV most recently from ABC News Breakfast.
In his new role, Rennie will present weekly NITV News bulletins, joining Worimi woman SBS and NITV Presenter and Producer, Breanna Holden and proud Mudburra and Wagadagam woman and Head of Indigenous News and Current Affairs, Natalie Ahmat.
Rennie will play a key role in ensuring that NITV’s news coverage continues to cross state and territory borders, bringing a variety of Indigenous perspectives and stories from across the nation.
Natalie Ahmat, Head of Indigenous News and Current Affairs, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Michael to NITV, bringing his passion for news and sport with his extensive knowledge and experience. I’m excited for the year ahead with our strong team of deadly Blak journalists who continue to tirelessly report on national news from an Indigenous perspective.”
On his appointment, Rennie said: “I’m really excited to be joining NITV. My media career started in First Nations radio with the Brisbane Indigenous Media Association and it was the launching pad that propelled me towards a career in mainstream media. I’m looking forward to working in Blak media once again in what I think is such an incredible time of change, and opportunity to tell our stories in new ways.”
During his media career, Rennie has worked at Triple A Murri Country, 4BC and Southern Cross Austereo, before joining the ABC in 2012.
Michael Rennie presents his first NITV News bulletin on Wednesday 8 May.
A deeply personal, feature length documentary, Kindred, will premiere on National Indigenous Television (NITV) and SBS On Demand on Sunday 2 June at 8.30pm during National Reconciliation Week.
Written and directed by Adrian Russell Wills (Redfern Now, Wentworth, RFDS)and Gillian Moody (Family Rules, Black Divaz), the 90-minute film is a journey into the emotional landscape of family, love and loss experienced by two close friends, both Aboriginal, who were adopted by white families and have connected back with their bloodline families.
Twenty-five years after making their first film together, Moody and Russell Wills turned to each other to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of coming to grips with their childhood adoptions. This is the story of Kindred – two best friends who tell their stories of supporting each other while reconnecting their bloodlines.
The documentary consists of archival footage, dramatic recreations and candid interviews with family members and the documentary subjects themselves. Shot in numerous locations across Australia, Kindred weaves together two personal narratives while exploring themes of family, identity, culture, belonging, racism, trauma and more.
Marissa McDowell, a proud Wiradyuri woman and Head of Commissions at NITV, said: “We’re thrilled to share this incredible documentary from Adrian and Gillian, which shares a story that many Indigenous peoples can relate to. We hope that the powerful messages shared in Kindred connect with all Australian audiences, particularly during National Reconciliation Week, a time of reflection and learning.“
Writers and Directors, Adrian Russell Wills and Gillian Moody, said: “We invite you into our story of friendship and the bond that brought us together, being adopted. Kindred explores what it feels like living in two worlds, one black and one white. It looks at the importance of discovering your place in the world and realising that home and love can truly be found in the people and places your heart connects to. Kindred comes from our hearts and the generous hearts of many in our family. We hope you enjoy it.”
Angela Bates, Head of First Nations at Screen Australia said: “Kindred filmmakers, Gillian Moody and Adrian Wells have crafted a moving documentary that invites audiences to embark on their deeply personal journey of discovering their place in the world. Through their lens, we witness the strength of friendship, unconditional love, the power of cultural connection, and identity. We’re incredibly proud that we were able to support Gillian and Adrian to tell their story – the way they wanted to, and for Australian audiences to gain a deeper understanding of First Nations experiences.”
Head of Screen NSW, Kyas Hepworth, said: “This is such a relevant, personal, and deeply moving documentary that examines self-identity, family connection, love and loss, and is a story that many First Nations people around the country know too well. Documentaries like this are important to examine and reflect on our nation’s history, and Screen NSW was privileged to support this film.”
Kindred is a Kalori Productions production for NITV. Principal production investment from Screen Australia’s First Nations Department in association with Screen NSW. Financed with support from NITV. Produced by Gillian Moody and Tom Zubrycki.
Watch Kindred on Sunday 2 June at 8.30pm on NITV. It willbe available to stream for free on SBS On Demand, with captions available in English and subtitles in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. The documentary will also be available with audio description for blind and low vision audiences.
Saturday 1 June 9:30 pm
Acclaimed Artistic Director and Choreographer Stephen Page brings Bangarra Dance Theatre’s outstanding dance work Spear to the screen. Striking and original, Page weaves story through dance to deliver an extraordinary cinematic experience in his feature film debut.
Using gesture and dance, with minimal dialogue, Spear follows a young Aboriginal man named Djali (Hunter Page-Lochard) from North East Arnhem Land to the streets of Sydney on his quest to understand what it means to be a man with ancient traditions in a modern world.
Featuring the brilliant Bangarra dancers and an evocative David Page score that combines traditional and contemporary music, Spear is an intimate journey with one of Australia’s most celebrated artists and one of the most affecting and spiritually resonant films of the year.
*Part of NITV’s Reconciliation Week Collection.
From executive producers John Leguizamo and Aram Rappaport comes an 8 episode drama series that follows a government agent Gordon Rogers in the 1950s. Rogers attempts to save an unravelling secret mission that threatens to reveal an unthinkable conspiracy. John Leguizamo (in his first ever leading role in a TV series) stars as Rogers, an immigrant who came into the US as a child and dedicated his life to achieving the American Dream. He experiences both an insidious obsession with that dream, and the societal limitations to it placed upon certain groups.
Co-Executive Producers Irene Bedard and Melissa Tantaquidgeon Zobel (of the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut) serve as creative and Native American consultants on the series.
The Green Veil season 1 premieres Thursday 6 June with double episodes airing weekly on NITV from 8:30PM. Episodes will be available to stream on SBS On
Kindred co-directors Adrian Wills and Gillian Moody. Credit: SBS
Premiering in competition at the 2023 Sydney Film Festival and going on to win the First Nations Film Creative Award at the Melbourne International Film Festival, this profoundly affecting documentary turns the camera inward, detailing the stories of co-directors Gillian Moody, a Wodi Wodi/Dharawal/Yuin woman, and
Black Divaz director Adrian Russell Wills, a Wonnarua man. Both were adopted into white families as kids, and you’ll be needing hankies as they trace their personal journey reconnecting to their bloodlines.
Kindred airs 8.30pm 2 June on NITV and will be streaming at SBS On Demand after it airs.
Stephen Page’s Spear. Source: Supplied
As the former artistic director of industry-reshaping Bangarra Dance Theatre, Yugambeh man Stephen Page is one of the most visionary choreographers Australia has ever seen. Dipping his toes into filmmaking as director of the ‘Sand’ segment of Tim Winton-inspired anthology The Turning , he truly stepped into his power with this magnetic feature debut, spinning dance work Spear into an astounding cinematic vision that casts his son Hunter-Page Lochard as a young man torn between the temptations of the city and the tradition of a Country. Also featuring smouldering star Aaron Pedersen, it’s iridescent.
Spear airs 9.30pm 1 June on NITV and will be streaming at SBS On Demand for 30 days after it airs.
The disgraceful way Adnyamathanha and Narungga and Sydney Swans hero Adam Goodes was hounded out of the AFL by unrelenting racism the code seems incapable or unwilling to shield him from remains one of the greatest stains in Australian sporting history. Ian Darling’s distressing documentary stitches difficult-to-watch archival footage from The Footy Show , news reports and more to reveal an all-pervading racism that demonstrates, beyond doubt, how the tearing down of a champion reflects the state of the nation at large.
The Final Quarter will air 8pm Wednesday 29 May on NITV and is streaming now at SBS On Demand.
Ngemba woman Rhae-Kye Waite was nine years old when she was spotted in the remote NSW community of Brewarrina and cast as Gem. A young grieving girl who’s struggling to cope with the loss of her mum and acting out, she finds solace in the company of a wild but surprisingly friendly Emu, a bond that carries deeper meaning teased out during this family-friendly film that also features several of Waite’s family members as well as Batjala Mununjali Wakkawakka filmmaker and actor Wayne Blair as her dad.
Emu Runner will air 7.30pm Friday May 31 on NITV and is streaming now at SBS On Demand.
Candy Devine – Entertainer Extraordinaire
Meriam woman Faye Guivarra blazed a trail around the world as a singer, actress and broadcaster for over 40 years under the stage name Candy Devine. She’s received incredible accolades, including being inducted into the Irish Broadcasting Hall of fame, and even received an MBE from the Queen. Karla Grant travelled to Brisbane for lunch with Aunty Faye and her son, celebrity chef, Alistair McLeod and granddaughter and singer, Sascha McLeod. Watch as Faye recounts how she became an entertainer extraordinaire.
Monday, 3 June at 8.30pm on NITV
