NITV announces new commissioning team
National Indigenous Television (NITV) has announced a new-look commissioning team.
Dena Curtis has been confirmed as head of Indigenous commissioning and production, while Cieron Cody will take on senior commissioning editor. In addition, NITV’s content assessor Joseph Meldrum has been elevated to commissioning editor.
Curtis is an award-winning producer, writer and director passionate about First Nations storytelling and industry development, and has worked at NITV, the ABC, Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA), and most recently with her own independent production company, Inkey Media.
NITV explains: “She has a raft of directing, producing, writing and editing credits to her name across everything from short film to documentary, and drama to comedy including NITV children’s series Grace Beside Me and Thalu, documentary collection Rebel with a Cause, ABC series First Weapons, narrative comedy series 8MMM Aboriginal Radio, and AMC’s Firebite – among many more.”
Curtis said: “NITV is home to some of the best First Nations content from Australia and the world. I look forward to continuing to build on the channel’s brand, collaborating with the NITV team, broader SBS colleagues and with the very talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytellers and content makers from across the country, delivering high quality and distinctive original scripted and unscripted content to our audiences.”
Cody will drive NITV’s commissions slate across original scripted and unscripted content, returning to NITV after four years with Screen Australia’s Documentary Unit.
He’ll oversee the management and delivery of commissioned content, and the ongoing development of a pipeline of programming, and initiatives elevating Indigenous talent.
(L-R) Dena Curtis, Cieron Cody and Joseph Meldrum
“Australia’s First Nations screen sector is a force unlike any other and NITV’s audience a clever base of curiosity, power, voice and more,” Cody said.
“Rejoining NITV to play but one part in connecting these sources is humbling. NITV has a sincerely unique opportunity to work with a changing Nation and the potential is uncapped, powered by excellence, ambition and an imagination guided by the longest continuous culture in the world. I cannot wait to share in raising the many talented voices of mob from the remote heartlands and beyond.”
Meldrum will step up from content assessor to “play a key role in supporting development and delivery of commissioned content.” Prior to NITV, Meldrum worked in Screen Australia’s First Nations Department, Screen Queensland ,as well as production roles in major media brands internationally.
“Having grown up watching NITV from my home in remote Northern Territory, I have witnessed the profound impact the network has had on giving our communities a voice and a platform to share important stories, news and culture around the country, and around the world,” Meldrum said.
“NITV has a long-standing legacy of investing in unique and captivating stories and championing and nurturing emerging and established voices and I look forward to contributing to this important mission. It is my goal to pay homage to our past, reflect on our present and look towards our bright future under the guidance of our Elders and Ancestors. Our storytellers have gone from strength to strength and I am excited to be a part of this next chapter in NITV’s commissioning.”
Jason Oakley, acting director of Indigenous content at SBS and NITV said of the three appointments: “We’re looking forward to having Cieron come back to NITV in this role, see Joe take the next step in the team, and to have Dena with her extensive experience taking on this key leadership position for the channel.
“They bring incredible talent and diverse experience from across the screen industry, and share a passion for developing, elevating and empowering the Indigenous production sector and First Nations storytellers.
“As NITV continues its growth, we’re excited to continue our trajectory in investing more in distinctive, award winning, First Nations stories with wide appeal and meaningful impact”.
Curtis will commence with NITV on November 4, and Cody and Meldrum commence in their roles from November 18.
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