From Melbourne to the Tiwi Islands: LINGER brings Indigenous stories to the big screen

Two Indigenous Swinburne University of Technology students Jake Bailey and Keinan William McGillivray Pethybridge are leading a film project that explores the complexities of Indigenous identity, trauma and resilience. Titled LINGER, the initiative includes two documentaries and a short fiction film, based in Darwin and Melbourne, all directed by the students themselves.

In May 2025, a crew of Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media students and staff travelled to Darwin and the Tiwi Islands to capture authentic narratives from local Indigenous communities. This immersive experience was made possible through a collaboration with Swinburne’s Moondani Toombadool Centre, which supports Indigenous students and fosters cultural engagement.

The films aim to address pressing issues such as dislocation, dispossession and the enduring impact of the Stolen Generations. Through these cinematic works, the filmmakers seek to amplify Indigenous voices and perspectives, shedding light on stories that have often been marginalised.

Jake Bailey, who is directing a Melbourne-based documentary project Rings, says that working on this project has afforded him new industry experiences.

“This project has allowed me to direct a short documentary film and explore different roles in the film and television industry,” he said. 

”I’m gaining insights into industry experiences, telling a story that humanises First Nations Peoples and I found it creatively interesting using my own experiences and personal perspective to develop the documentary narrative.”

Course coordinator and project lead, Boris Trbic, said the project was an opportunity for students to gain deeper connection with Indigenous stories from within community.

“This project was initiated by our Indigenous students and wholeheartedly supported by the Screen and Media department,” he said.

“It was a great opportunity for us to collaborate with cultural knowledge of Australia’s First People, including from Swinburne’s Moondani Toombadool Centre, Darwin Indigenous community, the Tiwi Islands community and different student cohorts.”

The production process involved close consultation with traditional owners and cultural advisors from both Victoria and the Northern Territory. Guidance was sought from Elders and community members to ensure respectful and accurate representation. Additionally, cultural competency training was provided to all non-Indigenous participants, emphasising the importance of ethical engagement and understanding.

Post-production will see further collaboration between the film and animation students at Swinburne, integrating various artistic elements to enhance the storytelling. 

The completed films are slated for screening at Swinburne’s end-of-year graduate showcase at ACMI, allowing these powerful narratives to reach a broader audience.