03/10/2023
A First Nations-focused premium streaming platform IndigiFLIX created by a multi-award winning Ngarluma filmmaker officially launched this month.
The site's first livestream of Roebourne annual event Songs for Freedom marked the occasion.
IndigiFLIX sponsored the streaming event in collaboration with Big hART as business owner Tyson Mowarin is also a singer/songwriter whose involvement in community music workshops and the WA and national tours of Songs for Freedom by Big hART has spanned 6 years.
As a regionally based enterprise, IndigiFLIX has received generous support from the Pilbara Development Commission and launched on 23 September with a legacy catalogue plus new content in the form of the livestream. WA screen agency Screenwest has also supported the development of the new screen industry entrant.
See full press release
https://mailchi.mp/4c6e139a32df/press-release-australias-first-premium-indigenous-streaming-platform-indigiflix-launched?e=b198041c02
IndigiFLIX is more than just First Nations streaming platform of short films, documentaries, series and feature films, it’s a place where First Nations mob can share, learn and talk about “who we are, were we’re from and tell the stories that make up who we are.”
IndigiFLIX is the brainchild of Roebourne-based content creator Tyson Mowarin, who for the past 15 years has used music, film, photos, apps to tell stories of culture through his Pilbara company, Weerianna Street Media.
Mowarin’s body of work as a filmmaker is impressive. Through a personal lens, his work sheds light on his connection to community and culture, showcasing resilience and strength.
He has made significant waves with his documentaries such as Connection to Country which documents the fight to preserve the sacred lands of the Burrup Peninsula (or Murujuga) from threats of development and mining; and scripted television such as the children’s series Thalu, about a group of resourceful kids who set out on a journey to save their land from the threat of a mysterious dust cloud.
Mr Mowarin said in a media interview recently the idea of IndigiFLIX was born out of a desire to give his own work a longer shelf-life.
"IndigiFLIX isn’t wanting to compete with NITV or IndigiTUBE but will look to compliment those platforms and in the hope that get to work together in the future to build our community of stories and storytellers.
There is a truckload, if not two or three truckloads of films made in the past by indigenous filmmakers and non-Indigenous film makers about Indigenous content," he said.
"I know of four Indigenous film festivals... that have all got nothing but Indigenous content, but most of them don't see the light of day outside the festival circuit.
"This is about getting films out there, giving them a longer shelf-life, supporting other filmmakers who will be able to earn an income on the streaming service, and creating something unique."
The service will start out with a focus on Australian and New Zealand Indigenous content but aims to quickly branch out to Indigenous communities across the world.
Mr Mowarin said he hoped IndigiFLIX would serve as a beacon to new content creators in the same way the likes of Netflix and Stan provided a platform to ideas which may never have seen the light of day on TV.
"I am aiming to have nothing but premium Indigenous films on there, feature films, documentaries, short films and series.
IndigiFLIX also has several original projects nearing completion which will be added to the catalogue at the end of the year and early next year.
See IndigiFLIX link to Songs of Freedom Concert 2023 - Click here
https://www.indigiflix.com.au/programs/songs-for-freedom-f62702?category_id=140702
Roebourne Town
NACCHO Aboriginal Health Australia
Claystone Marketing
NITV
Supply Nation
indigenous.gov.au
Indigenous Business Australia
Colour Box Studio
Mark Coles Smith
