Media Release - 19th Remote Indigenous Media Festival

Irrunytju WA | 25 - 30 September 2017

Over 140 remote media workers and industry guests from across Australia will gather on Ngaanyatjarra Lands for the action packed 19th Remote Indigenous Media Festival. Hosted in the community of Irruntyju by Indigenous Remote Communications Association (IRCA) and Ngaanyatjarra Media (Ng Media), the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media event will feature forums, award presentations and skills workshops led by inspiring trainers from across the industry. The Festival coincides with the 25th anniversary of Ng Media.

The Festival’s theme Lutjurringkulala Nintiringama Ngapartji Ngapartji translates as come together to learn and share in the local Ngaanyatjarra language. Delegates will be welcomed to Country by Irrunytju traditional owners and community leaders with an opening ceremony featuring dancers from across the Western Desert region. Throughout the week, delegates will visit local sites and experience the strong language and culture in the region.

Irrunytju Band, who are currently touring on Sand Tracks 2017, will headline the closing concert on Saturday night. Blackstone Band, Desert Rain (Pipalyatjara) and Red Sands Beat Band (Warburton) will also feature. The Art Market hosted by Irrunytju Community in conjunction with the art centres from nearby communities will have paintings, jewellery, wood work and baskets for purchase, supporting local Aboriginal businesses. The night cinema during the week will showcase the high caliber of screen content from across the sector.

IRCA Chairperson Dot West said “The Festival is an important meeting place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media workers from across remote Australia to strengthen the capacity of our industry. We share knowledge and ideas, celebrate our culture and achievements, develop new skills and showcase our work”. Media workshops for this year include radio podcast, sound skills, aerial cinematography with drones, digital photography and design, stop-motion animation and mutli-cam.

IRCA acknowledges the significant contribution from Ng Media and the Irrunytju community, school and local agencies, as well as our funding partners and sponsors; the Australian Government, Western Australian Government, Lotterywest, Community Broadcasting Foundation, Screenwest, Ngaanyatjarra Council, Country Arts WA, Foundation of Rural & Regional Renewal, Brian Tucker Accounting, Australian Film, Television and Radio School, Community Media Training Organisation and Desart.

Tune in to the live broadcast of the Festival throughout the week over RADIO NGM or 107.7FM, and on other regional radio networks across the country. Follow the highlights on the IRCA Facebook page and on Twitter #rimf.

Photo caption : Opening Ceremony of the 18th Remote Indigenous Media Festival
© 2017 IRCA

For more information about the 19th Remote Indigenous Media Festival visit http://www.irca.net.au/festival

Download 2016 Festival high resolution photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/irca/albums/72157660827610758

2015 Festival highlights: https://vimeo.com/172503950

TESTIMONIALS FROM PREVIOUS DELEGATES

“The media festival is important because it gives us the chance to upskill in radio, print, film, television and technology. It’s a time where we can come together to network and reflect on the past year. Thank you to all the supporters who enable us to come together for this week of celebration”

Bernard Namok, TEABBA

“The Festival is significant for our people, enabling us to move forward using the tool of media, bringing our cultures together. It is very important for people from different areas and cultures to get together and talk about the future; what is in store for us and how we can make it better for the younger generations coming through”

Patrick Ah Kit, CAAMA News

Media Enquiries:

Jalyay Jaja Thompson | Communications and Engagement | IRCA

[email protected] | 0431 629  953

Indigenous Remote Communications Association (IRCA) is the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media. Founded in 2001 as the peak body for remote Indigenous media and communications, we undertook a structural change and expanded our membership and role to become the national peak body in 2016/2017. Up to 105 Remote Indigenous Broadcasting Services (RIBS), 33 additional licensed retransmission sites across Australia, 8 Remote Indigenous Media Organisations (RIMOs) and 28 urban and regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander radio services are eligible for representation by IRCA.