PRESS RELEASE

17th National Remote Indigenous Media Festival
Lajamanu, NT | 27 September – 2 October 2015

200 remote media workers and industry guests from across Australia will gather in Gurindji and Warlpiri Country for an exciting 5 day program under the theme of “Speaking to Country, Speaking from Country”.

The 2015 National Remote Indigenous Media Festival will be held in Lajamanu NT, and hosted by the Indigenous Remote Communications Association (IRCA) in partnership with Pintubi Anmatjerre Warlpiri (PAW) Media and Indigenous Community Television (ICTV).

With a welcome address by Senator the Hon. Nigel Scullion, Minister for Indigenous Affairs, this major annual event will celebrate the achievements and build the capacity of the remote Indigenous media industry. Well known radio personality and musician Mark Bin Bakar (aka Mary G) will also deliver a keynote address following the traditional welcome.

IRCA General Manager Daniel Featherstone said: “The Festival plays a key development role for remote Indigenous media practitioners. It creates opportunities for broadcasters, producers, trainees and supporters from all regions to network and share their stories, skills and inspiration. It celebrates the unique value of remote community media for language and cultural maintenance, information sharing, meaningful employment and empowering communities through self-representation”.

The Festival will bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media practitioners from across Australia to participate in a packed program of industry forums, Award Presentations and an array of skills workshops and short courses led by inspiring trainers from across the national Indigenous media industry.

The Festival’s Public Program includes the nightly ICTV Outdoor Cinema and a Closing Night Concert of cultural performances and music. The concert line up of bands includes the Lajamanu Teenage Band and the North Tanami Band and is open to the local community and visiting guests.

IRCA thanks the traditional owners and community leaders for welcoming delegates to their country. IRCA acknowledges the significant support and contribution from the Lajamanu community and local organisations, as well as our funding partners and sponsors, including Australian Government, Northern Territory Government, Community Broadcasting Foundation and NITV.

The Festival will be broadcast live throughout the week over PAW Media’s radio network and on other regional radio networks across the country. The public can follow Festival updates on Facebook: IRCA Australia and on Twitter: #rimf

CONTACT

Daniel Featherstone, General Manager, IRCA Mobile: 0437 798076
Email: [email protected](link sends e-mail)