Darren Dale facts for kids

Darren Dale is an amazing Indigenous Australian producer. He makes films and TV shows that tell important stories. He works at a company called Blackfella Films. He started as a producer there and is now the managing director. Darren is known for creating many films and TV series with Miranda Dear. Their latest project together was the second season of Total Control.

About Darren Dale

Darren Dale is a Bundjalung man. His family comes from northern New South Wales.

Making Films and TV Shows

Darren joined Blackfella Films in 2001. He worked with the company's founder, Rachel Perkins. Their first big success was First Australians in 2008. This was a 7-part documentary series shown on SBS Television. It won many awards and is still a very popular educational show in Australia. It was also sold to other countries.

Since 2010, Darren has made many films and TV shows with Miranda Dear. She also joined Blackfella Films.

In 2011, he produced The Tall Man. This was a full-length documentary film about an important event. It won several awards, including the Walkley Documentary Award. He also produced other shows like First Contact. This show won a Logie Award in 2015. Other projects include Filthy Rich & Homeless, DNA Nation, and Deep Water: The Real Story.

In 2012, Darren and Miranda produced Mabo. This TV movie was about Eddie Mabo's fight for land rights. Rachel Perkins directed it.

In 2015, Darren helped create and produce Ready for This. This was an award-winning children's TV series.

Darren produced Maralinga Tjarutja in 2020. This documentary was about how the British nuclear tests at Maralinga affected people's lives. It was made for ABC Television.

Total Control is a drama series. The first season came out in 2019. It won an AACTA Award for Best TV Drama. Rachel Perkins directed it, and Darren and Miranda produced it.

In 2023, Darren co-produced First Weapons for the ABC. This documentary series explored the science behind traditional Aboriginal weapons. It featured weapon makers and experts.

Other Important Roles

From 2002 to 2011, Darren and Rachel Perkins helped organize the Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival. This festival showed Indigenous films at the Sydney Opera House. It then traveled around Australia. In 2012, Darren also helped choose and present Indigenous films at other big festivals. These included the Sydney Film Festival and the Melbourne International Film Festival.

Darren has served on the boards of important organizations. These include Screen NSW and the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS). Being on these boards means he helps guide and support the film and TV industry.

In 2024, Darren was asked to join the board of Screen Australia. This is a big government group that supports Australian films. He also serves on the boards of the Sydney Film Festival and the National Institute of Dramatic Art. He is also part of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This is the group that gives out the Oscars!

Awards and Recognition

Darren Dale has won several awards for his work. He received UNAA Media Peace Awards twice.

In 2012, he received a special honorary degree from AFTRS. This is a big honor for his contributions.

In 2021, Darren was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This is a very special invitation for people who have made a big impact in movies.

In 2024, a painting of Darren was a finalist for the Archibald Prize. This is a famous art award in Australia. The painting was called If you can see it, you can be it.

Many films and series produced by Darren have won awards, including:

• 2008: First Australians won many awards. These included AFI, AWGIE, and Logie awards.
• 2011: Walkley Documentary Award for The Tall Man.
• 2011: AWGIE Award for Best Broadcast Documentary for The Tall Man.
• 2014: AACTA Best Television Drama Series for Redfern Now.
• 2015: AACTA Best Children's Television Series for Ready for This.
• 2015: Logie Award for Most Outstanding Factual Program for First Contact.
• 2020: Silver Award for Documentary (Human Rights) at the 2021 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards for Maralinga Tjarutja.
• 2023: Digital History Prize for The Australian Wars, Episode 1.