Gunai/Kurnai, Gunditjmara, and Monero filmmaker and screenwriter Kynan Clarke has a passion for telling Indigenous stories on screen.

Growing up in the regional town of Dimboola in Victoria, Australia — known to the local Aboriginal community as Watchegatcheca — Kynan Clarke was introduced to the world of film through his father, who worked at the local Blockbuster video store in the Melbourne suburb of Coburg, where they lived when Clarke was a toddler. A familiar path for many First Nations practitioners from regional towns, he had to leave his family and home on country to move to the big city in Melbourne to chase his filmmaking dreams.

“I’ve grown up loving movies. [My father], he has a huge love of film; especially classic ‘80s films, like John Hughes. I guess that also transferred over to me,” says Clarke.

Initially he pursued carpentry as a trade, but when an opportunity came up after high school to pursue a certification in Screen and Media at Federation University Australia, it ignited his journey into filmmaking, eventually completing a Bachelor of Media & Communications at the Australian Catholic University.

In 2018, he had his first on-set experience as an Indigenous attachment on acclaimed short film Elders, which follows two Elders as they teach their grandson vital lessons for the future survival of his culture. It was written by Wotjobaluk and Ngarrindjeri woman, Tracey Rigney (who also happens to be from Clarke’s hometown, Dimboola) and directed by Typecast Entertainment co-founder, Yorta Yorta/Wurundjeri (Woiwurrung) filmmaker Tony Briggs (The Sapphires). Briggs founded Typecast Entertainment, an independent production company specialising in Indigenous content

“Elders was shot in Dimboola, which was how I got the opportunity to be on set. That was a great experience,” says Clarke.

Both Rigney and Briggs have been influential mentors in Clarke’s early career, and their approach has shaped his view on managing productions. Elders enabled him to observe the different roles within a film crew and Clarke relished the opportunity to gain hands-on experience.

“I was a bit starstruck with Tony [Briggs]— he’s prolific. Watching him on TV, I never thought I’d meet him, let alone work with him. I remember watching The Sapphires as a young fella,” says Clarke.

“Watching him work, he’s such a role model in this industry, especially as a young blak fella,” he continues with admiration.

VicScreen, along with the Melbourne International Film Festival, supported Clarke to make Bush Boots, a short film he wrote, directed and produced alongside Isabel Dilena. This was his first time writing a documentary, which was executive produced through Typecast Entertainment. Inspired by Clarke’s own experience, the film explores the community role models revered by Indigenous youth in the regional town of Mooroopna, including captain of the Australian Football League (AFL) team North Melbourne, Jy Simpkin. The film premiered at the Melbourne International Film Festival this year.

“Footy Shorts is one of the best initiatives I’ve seen in recent years. It allows emerging filmmakers to create a story, and it’s really amplified my directing capabilities and communication on set.”

Bush Boots encouraged Clarke to write and create more, as well as believe in his own creative instincts. He now has a few film projects in the works.

“I’ve always been someone who learns on-the-go. Being practical is the best way for me,” says Clarke.

Working at Typecast Entertainment for the last four years has given Clarke unrivalled industry exposure. Typecast also produces Birrarangga Film Festival, which showcases Indigenous films from across the globe, and has facilitated connections for Clarke as he’s sourced films by international First Nations filmmakers. He credits Briggs and Typecast Entertainment for creating a pathway for him into the industry.

“I’m in awe most of the time. He [Briggs] is one of the greatest Indigenous voices and screen practitioners. He’s been such a mentor every day, and I’m able to observe what it is to be a leader and director. I’m really grateful he’s bringing me along by his side.”

In 2023/24, he refined his writing skills in the Inspirit Lab, an initiative created by Typecast and presented with principal partner VicScreen alongside Screen Australia, where he learnt how to adapt existing IP and build practical skills in script development in a simulated writers’ room. Through the lab, participants adapted a short story from award-winning, Aboriginal Australian author Tony Birch’s anthology, The Promise. Since completing the lab, Clarke has adapted two more short stories from The Promise, which Typecast are currently pitching for financing.

Inspired by Indigenous storytellers from across the globe, as Clarke’s filmmaking practice builds, it’s exciting to see what he’ll do next.

To learn more about VicScreen’s leading incentives contact VicScreen’s Head of Incentives, Joe Brinkmann, at [email protected] or visit vicscreen.vic.gov.au