Zhou is the curator of a free exhibition in the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, called The Our Story: Aboriginal Chinese People in Australia. It’s on now until January 27, 2026.
Namatjira Project
Sunday, 25 May at 8.30pm
In one of Australia’s most potent stories, Namatjira Project traces the life and works of Albert Namatjira, a renowned Arrernte painter from the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia. He gave many Australians their first glimpses into the outback heart of the country and was widely celebrated, exhibited globally, and introduced to Queen Elizabeth.
However, in 1957 he was imprisoned for something he didn’t do, and in 1959 he died. By 1983 the Government sold the copyright to his artworks to an art dealer, and today, Namatjira’s family fight for survival, justice and to regain their grandfather’s copyright. Namatjira Project illuminates the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people today, in Australia and globally.
Art From the Heart
Monday, 26 May at 9.00pm
Art From the Heart is a confronting examination of the contemporary Indigenous painting business today - asking whether Indigenous paintings are still being painted from the heart, or if market forces have altered its spirit irrevocably.
The answers are varied and provided by a cast of Australia’s leading Indigenous painters, including Queenie Mckenzie, Gloria Petyarre, and Freddie Timms.
National Reconciliation Week with Patrick Dodson
Tuesday, 27 May at 11.30am
Live from Fremantle Passenger Terminal, WA, Yawuru elder, Patrick Dodson, also known as the ‘Father of Reconciliation’, along with next-generation leader Tremane Baxter-Edwards, deliver a National Reconciliation Week keynote from Reconciliation WA’s event.
At a time when Australia faces uncertainty in its reconciliation journey, this keynote calls on all Australians to step forward together to build a more united and respectful nation. Together, Dodson and Baxter-Edwards embody cross-generational First Nations leadership, with their voices reflecting the strength, wisdom and hope to carry the reconciliation movement forward, following the National Reconciliation Week theme ‘Bridging Now to Next’.
Sydney Opera House Presents: Generations and Dynasties - Season 2 - Episode 2
Saturday, 31 May at 10.10pm
Bunna Lawrie (Coloured Stone) and Family
Bunna Lawrie is a proud Mirning Elder from the Nullarbor and founding member of Coloured Stone, carving a path as a groundbreaking First Nations band with their rock and reggae influenced sound. Bunna’s 1984 hit song ‘Black Boy’, which remains an anthem for First Nations peoples to this day, launched a highly influential career which has taken them all over the country and the world.
Join Bunna Lawrie and his extraordinary family - Jason Lee Scott, Jhindu-Pedro Lawrie, Yirgjhilya Lawrie and Catherine Satour as they share the stage for an evening of music, culture, conversation and storytelling.
Voices of the future: Digital Originals ushers in the next wave of unique Australian storytellers
This year’s Digital Originals, Moni, Moonbird and Warm Props, are first of their kind, and a bold take on culture and belonging.
L-R: Warm Props, Moonbird and Moni.
Premiering weekly from Thursday 19 June on National Indigenous Television (NITV) and SBS On Demand, SBS’s award-winning Digital Originals initiative returns with three daring new scripted series from emerging screen creatives.
From boundary-pushing First Nations storytelling to a genre-bending queer Pasifika led series, this year’s Digital Originals showcase real, restless and innovative stories from creatives making waves in the industry with their fresh takes on identity, culture, and community.
A trailblazing partnership between SBS, NITV, and Screen Australia, Digital Originals is central to SBS’s commitment to championing diverse storytellers both in front and behind the camera. The initiative supports the development of rising talent who are under-represented in the sector including those who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD), First Nations, people with disability, female and gender diverse, LGBTIQ+, and creatives based in regional and remote areas.
Digital Originals has proven itself as an effective pathway for creators to advance their skills and generate interest from local and international markets. It also encapsulates how SBS is unafraid to go there when it comes to amplifying new voices in the screen landscape, with the initiative serving as a launchpad for the careers of trailblazers like Dylan River (Thou Shalt Not Steal, Mystery Road: Origin), Stevie Cruz Martin (Safe Home), Corrie Chen (New Gold Mountain, Bad Behaviour), Mohini Herse (Four Years Later) and more.
SBS’s phenomenal, brand-new, 2025 Digital Originals line-up features two cutting-edge First Nations productions, co-commissioned by NITV, and a distinctive queer Pasifika-Australian story:
Moonbird
Sonny (Lennox Monaghan) and Cracka (Kyle Morrison) in Moonbird episode 6. Credit: Jillian Mundy
Moonbird was one of only eight projects worldwide to be featured in the Short Forms Competition at Series Mania in 2025.
It 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 (Kyle Morrison) and his son (Lennox Monaghan; Deadloch , Windcatcher ) who attempt to reconnect through a traditional muttonbirding season on a remote Tasmanian island.
It is co-created, and co-written by Nathan Maynard, and co-created and co-written by Adam Thompson. Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with SBS, with support from Screen Tasmania. Developed with assistance of Screen Australia, SBS and Screen Tasmania.
Moonbird premieres Thursday 19 June at 8.30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand.
Warm Props
Ilijah (Nelson Baker), Charlie (Tehya Makani), Jilby (Rarriwuy Hick) in Warm Props episode 6. Credit: Michael Jalaru Torres.
Warm Props takes audiences behind the scenes with Charlie (Tehya Makani), who returns to a chaotic film shoot in her hometown in Western Australia and must then face her past as her narcissistic boss threatens the stability of her career and personal life.
The heartening series is brought to life by acclaimed creator and writer Jub Clerc (Mystery Road: Origin , Sweet As), co-writer Kimberly Benjamin (Our Medicine, Big Backyard Quiz), directed by Clerc and Benjamin, and produced by Jodie Bell for Ramu Productions. It also stars Rarriwuy Hick (True Colours, Erotic Stories, Wentworth, Redfern Now ) and Jillian Nguyen (Apple Cider Vinegar, Hungry Ghosts ). Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with SBS, with support from Screenwest and Lotterywest. Developed with assistance of Screen Australia and SBS.
Warm Props premieres Thursday 26 June at 8:30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand.
Moni
Chris Alosio (Moni) & Tina Leaitua (Tina) in ‘Moni’ episode 3.
In Moni, a gay Samoan man must reluctantly work out why his dead mother has unexpectedly plummeted from the heavens, and in doing so, learn to embrace his own truth. Led by creator, writer, and showrunner Taofia Pelesasa, director Alana Hicks, producer Nicole Coventry and executive producer Eliorah Malifa with Pelesasa Pics, the series stars Chris Alosio (Talk To Me ). Principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with SBS, with support from Screen NSW. Developed with assistance of Screen Australia and SBS.
Moni premieres Thursday 3 July at 8:30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand. Episodes air weekly at NITV starting Thursday 3 July at 8:30pm.
SBS Head of Scripted, Nakul Legha, said: “Digital Originals is the only initiative of its kind globally and remains unmatched in its ambition, impact, and proven track-record as a launch-pad for the careers of emerging Australian storytellers from under-represented communities.
“As SBS celebrates its 50th anniversary, these bold new series embody our ‘We Go There’ ethos: delivering unapologetically authentic and entertaining stories from across Australia . Each production is a testament to the essential role SBS plays in Australia’s cultural landscape, and we’re thrilled to share them with our audiences.”
Recent Digital Originals successes include 2023’s Night Bloomers with creator Andrew Undi Lee winning an Australian Writers’ Guild Award for Best Web Series, and Appetite which was selected as one of 10 series in the Short Form Competition at Canneseries 2023, and was also nominated for a Rose d’Or. In 2022, Latecomers won the 2024 AACTA Award for Best Online Drama or Comedy and was also featured in the Short Forms Competition at Series Mania in 2023.
Alumni of Digital Originals have gone on to secure key creative roles across SBS Original drama series and elsewhere in the industry, including Mohini Herse (Appetite ) who became set-up Director for SBS Original Four Years Later, producer Liam Heyen (Latecomers, Erotic Stories ), director Madeleine Gottlieb (Latecomers, Erotic Stories ), actress and activist Hannah Diviney (Latecomers ), Stevie Cruz-Martin (The Tailings, Safe Home), as well as Corrie Chen and Michelle Law (Homecoming Queens ), and Dylan River (Robbie Hood) .
Digital Originals is one of many initiatives delivered by SBS designed to improve inclusion in the screen industry. Read more about this work here.
All three Digital Originals series will be subtitled on SBS On Demand in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean.
Check out the Digital Originals collection at SBS On Demand’s We Go There Hub a variety of curated collections that embody the bold spirit of SBS’s cheeky new brand campaign.
Each of the three Digital Originals series will premiere in full weekly from Thursday 19 June at 8.30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand
The Grey Line
Monday, 2 June at 9.30pm
This is the story of Helen’s struggle to find her place in the world.
Taken from her parents during a time when Aboriginal children were removed from their families through Government mandated policy, Helen was raised by a middle-class family in the suburbs of Perth and believed she was their biological daughter until the age of 14. Despite being raised by a very loving foster family, Helen has never felt like she truly belonged. Not white, not black, she walks a very lonely grey line. This is her story of hurt, a longing to find her true self and to finally be accepted for who she is.
The Grey Line will be available to stream free on the on Muy Ngulayg SBS On Demand Hub.
Piri’s Tiki Tour (Season 4)
Wednesday, 4 June at 7.30pm
Much loved ex-All Black Piri Weepu is hitting the road again, but this time with a new twist. Piri’s returning with more fishing, diving and other food-gathering activities alongside hardcase Kiwi characters – as well as Piri’s other major passion, rugby! Getting amongst it with the locals, Piri uncovers the heart of these communities.
Season Four, Episode One: Te Kaha
Piri’s in the Bay of Plenty – Te Kaha, hosted by ex-rugby players Reuben and Matua Parkinson. He’s targeting kingfish and gets a surprise at a local rugby match.Season Four, Episode Two: Ōtepoti
Piri heads south to Ōtepoti Dunedin. He’s out eeling with his mate from high school Tihema, trains with Tongan rugby legend Hale T Pole, and even attempts to surf.
Listen Up: The Many Lives of Quincy Jones
Premiere Music Season
Sunday, 8 June at 8.35pm
The hot and cool rhythms of jazz. The simmering of syncopated soul. Hip-hop. Be-bop. The ecstasy of pop.
Artist, activist, husband, and incorrigible risk taker, Listen Up: The Lives of Quincy Jones, focuses on the man, the music and the legend of Quincy Jones - and finds within the ever-changing rhythms of his life the unchanging melody of the American spirit.
Appearances by Clarence Avant, George Benson, Ray Charles, Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald.
Sammy Butcher: Out of the Shadows
Premiere Music Season
Monday, 9 June at 9.30pm
Sammy Butcher is renowned as one of the best guitarists in central Australia and one of the leading figures in the Indigenous music scene. Self-taught from the age of 10, Sammy went on to become one of the founders of the famous Warumpi Band, and toured extensively and made many recordings.
This portrait of Sammy shows his life in Papunya, 250kms west of Alice Springs, where he grew up and still lives. In an intimate interview, Sammy talks about his life in the Warumpi Band, and his aspiration to use his music to help his people achieve a better life: “Songs talk to the people … Warumpi brought all of the people together.”
Sammy Butcher: Out of the Shadows will be available to stream free on the on Muy Ngulayg SBS On Demand Hub.
First Nations Bedtime Stories - Season 3
Friday, 13 June at 9.15pm
Every year Common Ground works with different First Nations communities to film five non-secret Dreaming stories, told by Elders and Knowledge Custodians.
Sharing and strengthening these stories for future generations and providing a way for all people to connect with the oldest continuing cultures on Earth, these stories display a rich source of valuable knowledge and wisdom.
Season Three, Episode One: The Cockatoo Sisters and the Magic Digging Stick This story is told by Nyikina Warrwa woman, Dr Anne Poelina. It tells the story of two very different sisters, Walibun and Yaranari, who have the responsibility of caring for their grandfather. Yoongoorrookoo, the serpent man, watches the two sisters, noticing that one sister is selfless, the other selfish. This story is about the importance of fairness and responsibilities in family as well as how actions have consequences.
Bamay - Season 6
Premiere Music Season
Monday, 16 June Monday to Friday at 6.00pm
Bamay is a celebration of Australia’s natural beauty, offering a unique aerial view that reflects a deep connection to Country. Inspired by the Bundjalung word for “Land,” Bamay returns for Season 6 to explore the rugged coastlines and remote wonders of Western Australia and Tasmania. From turquoise bays to ancient cliffs, this season highlights some of the nation’s most breathtaking and diverse coastal landscapes showcasing why these southern edges are among the best in the world.
Episodes One to Five will air Monday to Friday at 6.00pm, covering Western Australia and Tasmania.
Paid In Full: The Battle for Black Music
Music Season
Monday, 16 June at 9.05pm
This series charts the shocking story of how some of music’s most loved artists - from Louis Armstrong to Prince - were exploited by the music industry on the basis of their race. With contributions from artists like Gloria Gaynor, Ice-T, Smokey Robinson, Chaka Khan and many others, Paid in Full shows how whether through dodgy contracts, scheming management or ruthless streaming deals, many of the songs you know and love have a dark truth behind them.
Episode One: This episode tells the stories of how some of the most successful and popular Jazz, Blues and Rock n’ Roll musicians of all time suffered at the hands of the industry. We hear about the bad contracts with flat fees signed by Bessie Smith, Nina Simone, Chuck Berry and many others which ended up losing them tens of millions of dollars. Then there are the stories of scheming and manipulation of artists like Louis Armstrong and TLC by their managers.
Banel & Adama
Tuesday, 17 June at 10.30pm
Banel and Adama are fiercely in love. The young married couple lives in a remote village in northern Senegal. For them, nothing else exists.
Yet their perfect everlasting love is on a collision course with their community’s customs, because in this world, there is no room for passion, let alone chaos.
Amazing Grace
Music Season
Sunday, 22 June at 8.30pm
In 1972, Aretha Franklin, the undisputed Queen of Soul, recorded an album of gospel music at The
New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Few realised that the inspirational sessions
had not only been recorded, but also had been filmed by Oscar-winning Sydney Pollack. Due to
technical problems, the film was never released at the time. Now, revisit an iconic moment and an
unforgettable concert.
Bamay (Season 6)
New Episodes Monday to Friday at 6.00pm
Episodes Six to Ten will air Monday to Friday at 6.00pm, covering Western Australia and Tasmania.
Paid In Full: The Battle for Black Music
Monday, 23 June at 9.00pm
Episode Two: This episode charts the attempts of Black Musicians to fight back by starting their own record labels. Considered by many to be the ‘OG’ of black-owned labels, Sam Cooke decided he’d had enough of other people profiting from his phenomenal success. In the 1960s, he founded Tracey Limited to release his own music and SAR Records to sign new artists. He started investing in other black artists on reasonable terms until he met an untimely death.
Roberta Flack
Music Season
Sunday, 29 June at 8.30pm
From “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” to “Killing Me Softly” and beyond, Roberta Flack gave voice to a global soundtrack of beauty, pain, love and anguish. Roberta illuminates where reality, memory and imagination mix to present music icon Roberta Flack, a brilliant artist who transformed popular culture, in her own words.
With exclusive access to Flack’s archives of film, performances, interviews, home movies, photos, hit songs and unreleased music, the film documents how Flack’s musical virtuosity was inseparable from her lifelong commitment to civil rights.
Elder In Residence Oration 2025
Premiere NAIDOC Week
Sunday, 6 July at 6.50pm
To kick off NAIDOC Week, SBS’s Elder in Residence, Widjabul Wiabul woman Rhoda Roberts AO, will deliver her third annual SBS Elder in Residence Oration, creating a historical record of Indigenous thought leadership while addressing current challenges and futures aspiration. The SBS Elder In Residence Oration provides a platform for First Nations voices to be amplified, offering a space for reflection, connection, and learning for all Australians.
Ablaze
Premiere NAIDOC Week
Sunday, 6 July at 8.30pm
Ablaze is an incredible biographical documentary from opera singer Tiriki Onus, who finds a 70-year-old silent film believed to be made by his grandfather, Aboriginal leader and filmmaker Bill Onus. As Tiriki travels across the continent and pieces together clues to the film’s origins, he discovers more about Bill, his fight for Aboriginal rights and the price he paid for speaking out.
Emily: I Am Kam
Premiere NAIDOC Week
Wednesday, 9 July at 8.30pm
Emily: I Am Kam (pronounced karma) is a heartfelt documentary about internationally renowned artist, Emily Kam Kngwarray from the Utopia community in the Northern Territory. The film delves into Emily Kam Kngwarray’s transformative impact on the international contemporary art world and her enduring legacy, providing a rare opportunity to witness her journey and the profound influence of her art and the power of Emily’s work to protect her Country, Alhalker.
The documentary is produced by Tamarind Tree Pictures and directed by Danielle McLean (Barrumbi Kids).
NAIDOC Week 2025
Special Collection
Jedda
Sunday, 6 July at 10.00pm
Jedda is an Aboriginal child being raised by Sarah and Doug McCann, who try to assimilate her into white society. She finds herself caught between two cultures – forbidden from learning about her Indigenous heritage and never fully accepted by the other.
Who Do You Think You Are? (Mark Coles Smith)
Monday, 7 July at 7.30pm
Award-winning actor Mark Coles Smith is a proud Nyikina man from the Fitzroy River region of Western Australia. Reflecting a rich, multicultural heritage of Indigenous and Indonesian on his mother’s side, and Anglo-Austrian on his father’s side, Mark solves a maternal family mystery, and travels to Poland and Germany where he makes a shocking discovery about his great grandfather.
The Drover’s Wife
Monday, 7 July at 9.05pm
Molly Johnson’s husband is away droving sheep, leaving her alone to care for their four children. Despite being heavily pregnant, she must face various threats from nature and others.
Elder In Residence Oration 2023
Monday, 7 July at 11.00pm
In celebration of 2023’s NAIDOC week Auntie Rhoda Roberts shared her inaugural SBS Elder In Residence Oration.
Who Do You Think You Are? (Ernie Dingo)
Wednesday, 9 July at 7.30pm
All his life, Ernie Dingo has been estranged from his father’s family, on account of feeling abandoned by his own father, Tom Pepper. Ernie is brought face to face with his father’s ancestors.
Storm Boy
Friday, 11 July at 7.30pm
Mike is a lonely boy living in a coastal wilderness with his reclusive father. In search of friendship, he encounters an Indigenous man, and the two form a bond in the care of three pelican chicks.
First Nations Bedtime Stories (The Boys Who Broke The Law)
Friday, 11 July at 9.05pm
Babaga Mandana and Bua Buaga go through cultural initiation, where they must abide by strict rules and Law guided from Country.
Bran Nue Dae
Friday, 11 July at 9.15pm
In the Summer of 1965 a young man is filled with the life of the idyllic old pearling port Broome - fishing, hanging out with his mates and his girl. However his mother returns him to the religious mission for further schooling. After being punished for an act of youthful rebellion he runs away from the mission on a journey that ultimately leads him back home.
Sydney Opera House Presents: Generations And Dynasties (Bunna Lawrie And Family)
Saturday, 12 July at 10.10pm
Pioneering musician Bunna Lawrie’s influence resonates across generations as his children Jason, Jindu, Yirgjhilya and Catherine carry forward their father’s heritage while forging unique paths.
Pro Bull Riding USA – Unleash the Beast
World Finals Elimination
Tuesday, 15 July at 8.30pm
On Tuesday, 15 July, athletes will be battling it out in the World Finals Eliminations in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Unleash the Beast series brings all the high-octane action to NITV. This season, the world’s best riders will face off against formidable bulls in iconic American cities, battling for the championship title. From the bright lights of Las Vegas to the heartland’s rodeos, witness incredible displays of athleticism in this world-class series, showcasing the skill and determination of these hardened athletes. Get ready for eight seconds of pure adrenaline.
The Casketeers - Season 5
Wednesday, 16 July at 7.30pm
Māori funeral directors Francis and Kaiora Tipene offer a unique insight into Tipene Funerals, where the taboo of death is addressed with dignity and aroha.
Season Five, Episode One:
Francis enlists the help of Nikora and Brady to get his latest purchase of angel statues ready for Kaiora’s approval and a Māori Muslim tangi is the first of its kind for Tīpene Funerals.Season Five, Episode Two:
Francis and the Porirua staff rehearse songs for a promotional performance at a local rest home which provides lots of laughs and delights the residents.
Tribal - Season 2
Thursday, 17 July at 8.30pm
In an effort to protect themselves from media backlash, the Justice Department forms a task force to investigate the largest scandal in the city’s history: a tomb full of murdered Indigenous people. Crime continues to escalate while Sam and Buke try to uncover who’s responsible.
Season Two, Episode One:
Who killed Sydney? Sam and Buke deal with the fallout from discovering the tomb under the city.
The Casketeers (Season 5)
Wednesday, 23 July at 7.30pm
Season Five, Episode Three:
Francis acquires yet another gym membership and struggles through his first PT session. Feleki trains as an embalmer and news of a further lockdown has devastating consequences for grieving families.Season Five, Episode Four:
A power outage challenges Jay in the mortuary, while Covid restrictions mean families need to get creative to grieve their loved ones.
Tribal - Season 2
Thursday, 24 July at 8.30pm
Season Two, Episode Two:
A high-profile Indigenous model is found dead wearing a traditional headdress after a charity fundraiser.
Tribal - Season 2
Thursday, 31 July at 8.30pm
Season Two, Episode Three:
A hitchhiking Indigenous teen is feared abducted following a protest at a railroad blockade.
Garma Festival 2025 Special Event
The Garma Festival is Australia’s largest Indigenous gathering, a 4-day celebration of Yolngu life and culture held in remote northeast Arnhem Land.
Hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, Garma showcases traditional miny’tji (art), manikay (song), bunggul (dance) and story-telling, and is an important meeting point for the clans and families of the region. The Festival’s over-riding cultural mission is to provide a contemporary environment for the expression and presentation of traditional Yolngu knowledge systems and customs, and to share these practices in an authentic Yolngu setting.
NITV News Nula
Friday, 1 August at 3.00pm on NITV, SBS and SBS On Demand
The latest news from the oldest living culture, join Natalie Ahmat and the team of NITV journalists for stories from an Indigenous perspective. This edition, we catch up on all the action at the 25th Garma Festival at Gulkula, in northeast Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.
Garma Festival 2025 Opening Ceremony
Friday, 1 August at 4.00pm on NITV, SBS and SBS On Demand
NITV brings you all the speeches and ceremony from the official opening of Garma 2025, live from Gulkula, a significant Yolgnu ceremonial site.
Garma Bunggul
Saturday, 2 August at 9.00am on NITV and SBS On Demand
As the sun sets on Gumatj country in northeast Arnhem Land, Yolngu clans gather for Bunggul (dance) - an important cultural ceremony held as part of the annual Garma festival.
Garma Festival Forums will also air Saturday, 2 August at 10.00am and 1.30pm on NITV, SBS and SBS On Demand.
Garma Festival 2025
Special Event Continues
The Garma Festival is Australia’s largest Indigenous gathering, a 4-day celebration of Yolngu life and culture held in remote northeast Arnhem Land.
Hosted by the Yothu Yindi Foundation, Garma showcases traditional miny’tji (art), manikay (song), bunggul (dance) and story-telling, and is an important meeting point for the clans and families of the region. The Festival’s over-riding cultural mission is to provide a contemporary environment for the expression and presentation of traditional Yolngu knowledge systems and customs, and to share these practices in an authentic Yolngu setting.
Garma Bunggul (Episode 2)
Sunday, 3 August at 9.00am on NITV, SBS and SBS On Demand
Each afternoon as the sun sets over the stunning Gulkula site, NITV brings viewers to the heart of the Garma Festiva, the Bunggul. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of northeast Arnhem Land, this daily program captures the spirit of Yolŋu ceremony through Miny’tji (art), Manikay (song), Bunggul (dance), and storytelling.
The Bunggul is a powerful cultural expression, where ancient knowledge, deep connection to Country, and ancestral stories are shared through rhythm, movement, and song. Filmed on Yolŋu Country with cultural authority, this program offers audiences a rare and respectful window into the world’s oldest living culture.
Each episode takes viewers on a journey, showcasing the rich traditions of Yolŋu clans as they share ceremonial dances passed down through generations. The program also explores the cultural meaning behind each Bunggul, offering insight into the songlines, law, and kinship systems that shape Yolŋu life.NITV’s daily Bunggul coverage is a visually striking and deeply moving experience, grounding viewers in the beauty, strength, and significance of a culture that continues to thrive. It’s a celebration of Country, community, and identity, told through the powerful language of ceremony.
Garma 25 Years Strong
Sunday, 3 August at 10.00am on NITV, SBS and SBS On Demand
Join hosts Natalie Ahmat and John Paul Janke for a special two-hour program celebrating 25 years of the iconic Garma Festival, Australia’s largest and most significant First Nations cultural event. This commemorative broadcast will take audiences on a powerful journey through the heart of Yolŋu Country, showcasing the vibrancy, resilience, and legacy of the Garma Festival.
Blending panel discussions with unforgettable live performances and the best of the Bungul, the program will reflect on Garma’s extraordinary history and its role in shaping the national conversation on culture, identity, and self-determination. Featuring trailblazers, artists, community leaders, and special guests, the broadcast will honour those who laid the foundations of Garma and continue to carry its spirit forward.
Expect stories of cultural pride, political courage, and creative excellence, with moving performances and reflections that celebrate the festival’s deep cultural roots and far-reaching impact. Informative and entertaining, Garma 2025, 25 years strong is a must-watch event that pays homage to the legacy of the Yothu Yindi Foundation and the Yolŋu leaders who have contributed to creating the nation’s leading cultural festival that inspires connection, showcases ceremony, and amplifies the voices that continue to inspire change.
Best of Garma 2025
Monday, 4 August at 6.00pm on NITV, SBS and SBS On Demand
Hosted by Natalie Ahmat, The Best of Garma 2025, is 30-minute special that wraps up all the powerful moments, vibrant culture, and unforgettable experiences from this year’s 25th anniversary Garma Festival.
One Mind One Heart
Sunday, 3 August at 8.30pm on NITV
In this feature-length documentary, a historic political Yirrkala bark petition is discovered and makes its way home to Yolŋu country, evoking the spirit of decades of activism for change. The repatriation provides the opportunity to track the long political campaign – through petition, song, dance, campaigning – to keep culture strong and to have a voice for Country.
One Mind One Heart is from writer/director Larissa Behrendt (The First Inventors) and producer Michaela Perske (Larapinta).
Karla Grant Presents - Season 3
NITV Production
Monday, 4 August at 8.30pm on NITV
Karla Grant Presents is a selection of half-hour documentaries and films introduced by prolific journalist and TV personality Karla Grant. Karla delves into each piece of content, offering her personal insights, and contextualising the story for the audience.
Season Three, Episode One: Kids On Country
In the heart of Australia, a group of Aboriginal high school students embark on a life-changing journey that blends ancient traditions with modern conservation practices. Kids on Country follows nine young Aboriginal women from Le Fevre High School in South Australia as they immerse themselves in a week-long adventure focused on caring for Country, developing leadership skills, and strengthening their cultural identity.
Through stunning landscapes, heartfelt stories, and unforgettable moments, Kids on Country shows how cultural pride, education, and environmental stewardship can shape the next generation of Aboriginal leaders.
Extraordinary Animals
Sunday, 10 August at 7.30pm & 8.00pm
Episode One:
Featuring some remarkably imaginative animals—echidnas, tarantulas, archerfish, humpback whales, cockatoos and riflebirds—this episode explores how creativity enables impressive problem-solving skills and drives forward adaptations that are essential for survival.
Episode Two:
Gluttony doesn’t always come in the form of over-eating—exploring the lives of some incredibly adept eaters; this episode showcases the unusual strategies these animals have developed to thrive in their unique environments. Featuring whale sharks, smooth stingrays, spider crabs, crown-of-thorns starfish, koalas and dingos.
Tree Kangaroos – Ghosts of the Forest
Sunday, 10 August at 8.30pm
Seldom seen and very rarely filmed in their natural environment, Lumholtz tree kangaroos are the ghosts of the north Queensland forests. This film follows the intimate lives of these tree-climbing specialists in the wilderness of the Atherton Tableland. Shot over 2 years, this film reveals the developing relationship of a mother with her joey, Mabi, as she changes from a baby confined to her mother’s pouch to an expert climber of some of Australia’s tallest trees. Their diet of leaves, flowers and fruit is literally everywhere but they can be unbelievably fussy, and go to elaborate lengths to get the right leaf.
Karla Grant Presents: Yana Djamaga Ganji
Premiere NITV Production
Monday, 11 August at 8.30pm
In late 2019, Australia’s South Coast burned red, hot, and black. When the ash settled, First Nations voices were the first to emerge from the deafening silence. Yana Djamaga Ganji / Walk Good Fire is an Indigenous-led film that follows the Walbunja Rangers back out onto Yuin Country, as they work with cultural fire to heal both the coast and their people.
Walking alongside Elders and youngsters across luxury resorts to crown lands, this documentary follows the resurgence of cultural burning in Australia’s Southeast, addressing the ongoing mismanagement of Country and the misconceptions around cultural burning as an isolated practice. As out-of-control fires sparked again across the Australian continent, this documentary offers a well-overdue look into the holistic approach of First Nations’ land management practices, ultimately encouraging others to understand, and help reclaim, the healing benefits of walking good fire for all Australians.
Casketeers Life and Death Across the Globe
Wednesday, 13 August at 7.35pm
The Casketeers’ much-loved funeral directors, and husband and wife team Francis and Kaiora Tipene, embark on a new adventure, departing Aotearoa on a global travel odyssey. Casketeers: Life and Death Across the Globe provides more life affirming, engaging and heart-warming entertainment, celebrating the gift of life and the heartbreak of loss. From discovering whānau in Tonga, taking part in family death traditions in Vanuatu, experiencing authentic Indigenous practices in Canada and getting right in amongst the raw and sensory preparation of bodies on the banks of the Ganges in India, Francis and Kaiora take us on a global quest for affirming cultural connections of life and death.
Season One, Episode One: Tonga
The Tīpenes experience the beauty and diversity of Tongan culture, discover family connections and Francis is excited by a visit to the local morgue.
I think this is the wildife series from Australian Geographic which premiered on ABC Pacific earlier this year.
It is produced by Northern Pictures (Austin, The Jury: Death on the Staircase) for Australian Geographic.
Extraordinary Animals
Sunday, 17 August at 7.30pm & 8.00pm on NITV and SBS On Demand
Episode Three:
The benefits of being social can far outweigh any desire for peace and quiet – exploring the importance of shared knowledge and group dynamics, these seemingly anti-social animals all benefit from having ‘mates’ – Eastern water dragons, Port Jackson sharks, shy albatross, dugongs, manta rays and Tasmanian devils.Episode Four:
For this group of animals, being devoted means that they are putting the lives of their offspring first – showing surprising tenderness and often going to extreme lengths to ensure their survival. Exploring a variety of unexpected behaviours, this episode features green turtles, southern cassowaries, saltwater crocodiles, wombats, octopuses and giant burrow cockroaches.
Black Cockatoo Crisis
Sunday, 17 August at 8.30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand
Western Australia’s iconic black cockatoos are in crisis. Their numbers have fallen dramatically over the past few decades and all three species in the south-west of WA could become extinct in just 20 years unless something is done to protect their habitats.
Karla Grant Presents: My Survival As An Aboriginal
NITV Production
Monday, 18 August at 8.30pm on NITV
In 1978, the ground-breaking documentary My Survival as An Aboriginal moved Australia and the world with its vivid personal telling of the atrocities and hardships committed against Aboriginal peoples. It was the first Australian documentary directed by an Indigenous woman, and one of the first Australian films where an Indigenous Australian was able to tell her own story and decide how she and her community would be represented.
The award-winning documentary is an intimate ‘through the lens’ glimpse of the private life of activist and matriarch Essie Coffey, a Muruwari woman affectionately known as ‘The Bush Queen’ and the people of Brewarrina in the far northwest of NSW. Emotive storytelling through voice, eyes staring down the camera, imagery and Essie’s own songs, intertwined with the realities of the strength and struggles of the community, the documentary shows dispossession, the strong resistance to assimilation, loss of identity, the struggle for survival and living their own truth.
National Indigenous Fashion Awards 2025
Special Event
Monday, 18 August at 9.25pm on NITV
Celebrating the innovation of Australia’s First Nations Peoples in fashion and textiles.
Launched in 2020, the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA), provide a vibrant and exciting platform to celebrate the innovation, diversity and ethical practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and fashion designers, whilst contributing to the capacity building of the sector. Recognising and showcasing excellence across seven categories, the award ceremony is a unique opportunity for the Australian and international fashion community to connect to the world’s oldest living cultures.
Casketeers Life and Death Across the Globe
Wednesday, 20 August at 7.35pm on NITV
Episode Two: Vanuatu
Francis is surprised by the unique preparation and strength of local kava while Kaiora is anxious about the live volcano perched on the edge of the village they’re visiting. A transport failure means leaving baby Ngawaiata behind – will her parents cope?
First Nations Bedtime Stories - Season 5
Friday, 22 August at 9.20pm on NITV
Every year Common Ground works with different First Nations communities to film five non-secret Dreaming stories, told by Elders and Knowledge Custodians. Sharing and strengthening these stories for future generations and providing a way for all people to connect with the oldest continuing cultures on Earth, these stories display a rich source of valuable knowledge and wisdom.
Episode One: Djinda Midariny
Djinda Midariny is a story about a young Noongar man who was a very good dancer – one of the best ever. He was so good that other Noongar men got jealous and wanted to hurt him. To protect the dancer, his family sent him into the sky and he became the Djinda Midariny (Eastern Star). You can still see him there today. The Eastern Star flickers at nighttime because he is still dancing. Aunty Kerry-Ann shares this story from Kaata Koomba (Kings Park) in Perth. Kings Park is an important ceremonial and cultural place for Whadjuk Noongar people.
A bold new sporting documentary series celebrating First Nations athletes, culture, and the power of sport
Dreaming Big premieres on Friday September 5 at 7:30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand
At its heart this series is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of athletes and the enduring legacy of First Nations culture
Dreaming Big, a powerful 6-part documentary series spotlighting the journeys of First Nations youth in sport, will premiere on NITV and SBS On Demand on Friday September 5 at 7:30pm.
This real-life sporting docuseries of six 30-minute episodes, offers an intimate look into the lives of thirteen emerging Indigenous athletes from various disciplines, including Boxing, Surfing, Car Racing, Flat track Motorbike Racing, Sport Climbing, Karate and Soccer. Each story is delivered with authenticity and heartfelt storytelling grounded in cultural integrity,
Dreaming Big follows the journeys of these Indigenous athletes, aged between 12 and 19, capturing their raw determination and resilience in the pursuit of sporting excellence. More than a showcase of athletic ambition, each episode is deeply rooted in First Nations narratives, celebrating personal triumphs while exploring the challenges these young athletes face on and off the field.
The series also honours the rich cultural heritage of Australia’s First Nations communities. It weaves together themes of perseverance, identity, and unity, offering a unique Indigenous perspective on sport and success. Through the eyes of the athletes, their families, and mentors, the series reveals how individual achievements become shared victories that uplift entire communities.
Filmed in locations chosen in collaboration with local First Nations communities, each setting holds cultural significance — transforming sporting grounds into powerful symbols of heritage and connection to Country.
In celebrating diversity and cultural strength, Dreaming Big leaves a legacy for future generations that dreams, when rooted in identity and community, can soar beyond the finish line.
Directed by Andrew Dillon (Le Champion) and Wirrim Media’s Abraham Byrne-Jameson (Broadcast directing debut), with writer/producer Richard Jameson OAM (Strait to the Plate Season 2) and WildBear International Consulting Executive Producer, Veronica Fury (And We Danced).
NITV Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production, Dena Curtis said: “Dreaming Big is a show for the whole family – it represents our communities at the highest levels of sport and captures the strength, support and courage that come from family and culture. A powerful celebration of First Nations athletes, it highlights the dedication, talent and passion of these remarkable young people and their families as they chase their dreams, breaking barriers in their chosen sports. Offering both visibility and inspiration for the next generation, Wirrim Media has beautifully crafted a series that NITV is proud of, demystifying the path to elite sport while reinforcing the powerful message: if you can see it, you can be it.”
Wirrim Media Director, Abraham Byrne-Jameson said: “We set out to make a series that was real — something that showed the grit behind the glory, and the community behind the athlete. These stories are filled with hope, humour, and unstoppable heart.”
Screen Australia First Nations Department Investment Manager Samuel Paynter said: “Dreaming Big is a compelling look at First Nations sporting excellence through the unique intersection of athletic dedication, aspiration, challenge and the rich traditions of our communities***.*** We are proud to be able to support Wirrim Media and WildBear International in this masterful exploration of the connection between athleticism and culture. Sport-lover or not, this captivating series has something for everyone.”
Screen Queensland CCO Belinda Burns said the series is a strong example of the agency’s commitment to supporting locally produced First Nations stories: “Screen Queensland is proud to support Wirrim Media and their vision to amplify the voices of young athletes across regional, urban and remote areas of Queensland. We have a proud history of championing First Nations’ creatives to tell powerful, authentic stories that connect with audiences both locally and internationally. Projects like Dreaming Big reflect the rich cultural diversity of Queensland and have the potential to deliver lasting social impact and foster a deeper appreciation of First Nations stories and voices.”
MEET THE CAST
JAYDEN HOLDER, 16, NSW
Mob: Dunghutti
Sport: Flat Track Racing
Achievements: 6 x Australian Champion, 8 x NSW Champion and 4 x QLD state champion in Flat Track Racing.
Jayden Holder is an aspiring Motocross and flat track racing champion. Raised on a farm he began riding at the age of 4 and remarkably, by the age of 8, had already clinched a State Championship. This impressive start set the stage for Jayden’s successful career in Motocross. For Jayden, Motocross and flat track racing isn’t just a sport; it provides structure in his life and guides him on the right path, according to his Uncle Dylan. His dreams extend to following in his uncles’ footsteps and participating in international flat track racing in the UK and the USA. Jayden’s focus remains firmly on the track and his dedication to the sport, combined with family support and a passion for competition, sets the stage for an exciting journey ahead for this young racing prodigy.
RILEY HOLDER, 12, NSW
Mob: Dunghutti
Sport: Flat Track Racing
Achievements: Australian Dirt Track Champion, 2 x third place in NSW and Australian Titles
Riley Holder is a rising star in Australian dirt bike racing, showcasing exceptional skill and determination from a young age. Competing at the highest levels of flat track racing, Riley has already claimed an Australian championship title and secured multiple podium finishes at both state and national competitions. With a fearless riding style and a drive to constantly improve, Riley is focused on reaching new heights in the sport. His goal is to continue dominating on the track and one day represent Australia on the international stage.
LANDEN SMALES, 17, QLD
Mob: Noongar Nation
Sport: Surfing
Achievements: 13 x Queensland Surfing State Titles, 5 x Australian Surfing Titles, 7 x Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles
Landen Smales is a 17-year-old surfer currently residing on Gubbi Gubbi Country, Sunshine Coast, QLD. Landen started surfing at just 4, and at a started competing at a very young age, winning every event he entered. This is where his aspiration of becoming a professional surfer and future world champion began. Landen currently holds 13 x QLD State Surfing Titles, 5 x Australian Surfing Titles and 7 x Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles. He has created his own path and successfully dominated the junior rankings for several years, on both the Longboard and Shortboard. Landen was the youngest surfer ever to win an Australian Longboard Title at just 12 years old. He also created history at the Australian Surf Championships in 2023 becoming the first ever competitor to score two perfect 10’s in one heat. He also created history at the 2024 Australian Indigenous Titles at Bells Beach, scoring a 10-point ride in the Under 18 boys shortboard division, backing it up with another 10 in the Open Men’s Longboard. He is a natural and at home in the water which he feels has been passed down from his ancestors. He has a strong connection to culture and enjoys spending time on country whenever possible.
MEG DAY, 16, SA
Mob: Narungga
Sport: Surfing
Achievements: Representing South Australia in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023 and State Champion in 2019 and 2023. 3rd place at 2024 Australian Indigenous Titles.
Meg Day is a 17-year-old surfer from country South Australia. Her journey in surfing began when she represented South Australia at the Junior National Titles in 2018. Meg achieved an impressive 3rd place at the 2024 Australian Indigenous Titles. Her talent and dedication led to her selection for the inaugural First Nations Youth High-Performance Program, a 12-month program composed of respected Indigenous surfers. The program aims to instil a deep sense of identity and connection to heritage among the participants. Beyond her current surfing career, Meg envisions pursuing a study in sports science. Her goal is to specialise in high-level conditioning and fitness, particularly tailored for waterborne sports. Additionally, Meg aspires to give back to surfing.
KADE DAVEY, 16, QLD
Mob: Martu
Sport: Motorsport/Car Racing
Achievements: 2024 Darwin Indigenous Supercar Round Class Winner
Kade Davey is a talented motorsport driver with a strong connection to his First Nations heritage. Beginning his racing journey in Karting at 8-years-old, Kade quickly found success in Western Australia, earning podium finishes and a state championship title. He later joined Racing Together, a team focused on supporting Indigenous youth in motorsport. In 2024, Kade won his category at the Darwin Supercar Indigenous round, significantly marking the team’s first-ever race win and podium finish. With a blend of determination and skill, Kade is steadily progressing toward his goal of becoming a professional racing driver.
KARLAI WARNER, 18, QLD
Mob: Kabi Kabi / Wakka Wakka
Sport: Motorsport/Car Racing
Achievements: Top 5 finish in The Qld State Excel Championship
Karlai Warner is an inspiring young race driver with her sights set on becoming the first female GT3 champion or Supercar driver. Racing for Team Racing Together, Australia’s only Indigenous racing team, Karlai is breaking barriers in the motorsport world. Beyond her racing success, Karlai is passionate about giving back to her community and empowering others. As a role model, she’s dedicated to inspiring young girls to chase their dreams and achieve their goals, showing that with determination, anything is possible.
JESSIE-ROSE TALBOT-COOKE, 15, QLD
Mob: Kuku Yalanji Nation
Sport: Karate
Achievements: Successfully competed at Local, Regional and State levels
Jessie-Rose’s Karate achievements include securing 3rd place in her age group at the Karate Nationals in Rockhampton for individual kumite (fighting). Notably, she was the only Indigenous Competitor in her age group. Her outstanding performance continued in Team Kumite where she claimed second position in Australia, a remarkable achievement.
JULIANNA-BREE TALBOT COOKE, 18, QLD
Mob: Kuku Yalanji Nation
Sport: Soccer
Achievements: Successfully competed at Local, Regional and State levels
Julianna Bree is a rising talent in soccer. Her skills on the field have resulted in invitations to train with several national-level clubs. In 2022, Julianna-Bree played for the Australian Indigenous Koalas football team subsequently moving to Brisbane to play for the Under 23 Peninsula Power NPL side, which serves as a feeder competition for the NWSL Brisbane Roar.
LINKYN MACMILLAN, 18, QLD
Mob: Kalkadoon
Sport: Boxing
Achievements: 2024 World Youth 75kg Bronze Medallist, 2 x Australian Champion, 3 x QLD State Champion, 2 x Golden Glove Champion, 1 x Trans Tasman Cup Champion, 1 x SE QLD Champion
Linkyn started boxing at 9-years-old to improve his fitness for Rugby League. His love of boxing soon took over and had his first fight in 2018. He soon realised that to go forward in the sport he had to move to Brisbane and successfully gained a scholarship to attend Nudgee Collage. Currently 18-years-old. Linkyn graduated Year 12 last year and received early entry into QUT to study Engineering. His goal when he first moved to Brisbane was to make the 2024 World Youth Team which he successfully achieved and which took him to Colorado, USA, Linkyn is now boxing in the Elites category aiming to make the Elite World Team which will be travelling to Liverpool, in the UK in September. He is currently a member of Boxing Australia’s development team and often travels to the AIS for training camps.
GEORGIA LAWSON, 18, QLD
Mob: Wilman
Sport: Boxing
Georgia Lawson is a rising force in Australian boxing, already making waves on the national and international stage. A Queensland and Australian champion, she is currently ranked #6 in the world. With her sights set on the 2028 and 2032 Olympics and a future in the professional ranks, Georgia is determined to leave a lasting impact on the sport. Proud of her Wilman heritage, she embodies strength, resilience, and ambition both in and out of the ring. Trading trouble for training, this young Indigenous boxer fought her way to a national championship in just two years—driven by a dream to carve out a better future for herself and her sister while making history in the ring.
ETHAN NAYLOR, 19, QLD
Mob: Anainwan, Wiradjuri & Ngemba Wailwan
Sport: Sport Climbing
Achievements: 2022 – 3rd at the Australian Youth National Championships in lead climbing; 2022 – Qualified for the Australian Youth Climbing Team and competed at the Youth World Championships in Dallas, USA; 2022/23 – Sent three grade 27 climbs at Mount Coolum
Ethan Naylor is a 19-year-old Sport Climber whose journey began in Armidale, NSW, where his interest in climbing began. Limited by local facilities he did not actively pursue the sport. Ethan’s parents made a pivotal decision to relocate to the Sunshine Coast in July 2015 due to his ill-health where, with newfound access to climbing facilities, he embraced the sport wholeheartedly. Ten years later, Ethan has competed regularly from State and National titles to the Youth World Championships in 2022. He consistently climbs outdoors, pushing himself on real rock where his passion truly lies.
KYLE HEUSTON-CONNOR, 18, QLD
Mob: Samu clan (Saibi Island, Totem Cassowary)
Sport: Sport Climbing
Achievements: 2024 AUS Youth Nationals 1st in Lead, Australian National Youth Team, 2024 QLD Youth States 1st in Lead
Kyle Bera Heuston-Connor is an 18-year-old climber from the Gold Coast. He began climbing in 2021 and has been hooked ever since. Addicted to the mental problem-solving, mixed with the physicality, he started competing in 2022. Through daily training and climbing he quickly rose through the ranks placing 1st in his Division at the 2024 Youth Nationals. This qualified him to compete in the 2024 Youth World Championships in China. This experience showed him how he compared to the international athletes and further increased his love and drive for the sport and to improve. His next goal is to make the Open National team in order to be able to compete in World Cups. From battling chronic fatigue to becoming a state champion in indoor rock climbing, this 18-year-old is determined to scale to new heights with his sights set on the ultimate peak: the Olympics.
Dreaming Big is a Wirrim Media production for NITV. Principal production funding from Screen Australia’s First Nations Department in association with Screen Queensland.
Watch Dreaming Big on NITV and SBS On Demand from Friday September 5 at 7:30pm with subtitles in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. All episodes will also be available on SBS On Demand with audio description voiced by First Nations AD narrators.