Redfern Now to create over 250 jobs and support Indigenous employment

The series, which is set to start filming in Sydney in early 2012 and will air later that year, will employ Indigenous Australians in various roles from producers, directors, writers, actors to production and post-production staff.

REDFERN NOW (working title) will be produced by Blackfella Films (First Australians, The Tall Man), in collaboration with award-winning and internationally acclaimed creator Jimmy McGovern (The Street, Cracker, The Lakes), who is currently working with the writers on scripts.

ABC TV’s Indigenous Department, in partnership with the Indigenous Department of Screen Australia and Screen NSW is leading the way with this landmark series, which tells the explosive and dramatic stories of six households in Redfern. Nestled in the heart of Sydney, Redfern is one of Australia’s most famous suburbs – an area full of contradictions; Aboriginal icon, centre of black struggle, and a real estate goldmine.

Sally Riley, Head of ABC TV’s Indigenous Department said; “REDFERN NOW is a turning point in the Australian television industry. We are providing the finance and infrastructure for real career opportunities for creative Indigenous Australians, which is very exciting. This contribution to the industry will hopefully have an amazing impact for years to come. ”

Erica Glynn, Head of Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department said; “The series will provide an opportunity for Indigenous Australians to tell their contemporary, urban stories on our small screen for the first time – and that is a significant cultural turning point as well.”

Jimmy McGovern, who came to Australia earlier this year for a series of workshops with the writers said; “We’ve all been working hard on the scripts and this is a wonderful reward for our efforts. I think it’s going to be a brilliant series.”

Darren Dale from Blackfella Films said, ”As Samson & Delilah and Bran Nue Dae created excitement for Australian cinema, I am positive that REDFERN NOW will be a bold and adventurous television series.”

Cast and directors will be announced at a later stage.