Screen Australia behind NITV documentary exploring Indigenous drag queen pageant
A Screen Australia funded documentary delving into the world of indigenous drag queens has started production with the directors hoping it will spark further conversations about equality and the acceptance of the LGBTQI+ community.
Black Divas follows six Indigenous drag queens from around Australia bidding to be crowned the inaugural Miss First Nation. The program will air on NITV next year as a one off documentary.
Funding for the project was received from Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department and Create NSW.
“As equality itself is being debated across our nation right now, it’s a reminder that stories told with honesty and heart can open minds,” said head of Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department Penny Smallacombe.
“The creative team behind Black Divaz have the vision and experience to deliver an entertaining and positive insight into the world of Indigenous drag queens, while also bringing to the surface the deeper issue of prejudice and having the courage to be oneself.”
Director Adrian Russell Wills, who worked on The Warrior and Wentworth, said the documentary will showcase the challenges, heartbreaks and triumphs of the contestants.
“My reason for making this film is because I feel that in our communities we still haven’t really had the conversation about homophobia and acceptance of our LGBTQI+ family members,” he said. “Too many of our youth still take their lives due to the shame and fear of rejection because of who they really are.”
The producers of Black Divas are Michaela Perske and Gillian Moody.
Bravo.
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