Curtin graduate Shari Hutchison (second from the left) with her ‘Reimagining our Futures: birthing’ filmmaking team. Photo supplied by Kirri Media.
A proud Nyikina woman from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, Shari Hutchison is one of the talented brains behind a new powerful short film highlighting how Indigenous women are shaping their futures.
Since graduating from Curtin in Screen Arts and Journalism (2014), Shari founded her own film production company, Kirri Media.
Through her work, Shari aims to inspire change by elevating underrepresented voices and fostering diverse perspectives.
As the recipient of this year’s Screenwest Producer Talent Accelerator, Shari will work with some of Australia’s most sought-after production companies and industry leaders.
Premiering next month at Maoriland Film Festival, Re-imagining our Futures: birthing is the latest short documentary produced and co-written by Shari through her production company.
The film follows the journey of Nyikina and Jabirr Jabirr woman, Kalinda (Gal) Palmer, a gentle but fierce young mother, as she learns about traditional birthing practices from her Elders so she can reimagine a future for herself, her family, and community.
Shari shares her journey into the WA film industry and what we can expect from her latest short documentary.
Why did you decide to start Kirri Media?
When I left university, I knew I wanted to start my own film production company.
However, when I entered the industry and saw the realities of the role of an executive producer, I started to reconsider whether that was the right decision for me.
It wasn’t until later, once I gained more experience, that I felt capable to start my own company.
The birth of Kirri Media really began when my friend and fellow Curtin graduate, Ella Wright reached out to me to see if I wanted to work on a short profile documentary for ABC Artworks on acclaimed artist, filmmaker and designer, Tee Ken Ng.
Tee Ken Ng opens a window into the extraordinary mind of Tee Ken, a visionary artist and inventor who creates curiosity and delight by challenging self-imposed boundaries to produce something wonderful.
To bring this film to life, we could either partner with an existing production company, or I could take on the production myself.
At the time, I was already working on the development of Reimagining our Futures: birthing, which was being filmed in the Kimberley, and I knew if this film was approved for production funding, I was going to do it through my own company. So, this was the moment when I decided to launch Kirri Media.
Through Kirri, we are committed to creating powerful narratives that explore the multifaceted aspects of art, culture, and the environment. We showcase diverse voices and provide a platform for these voices to be heard.
Can you share what Re-imagining our Futures: birthing is about? Why was it important for you to share this story?
Reimagining Our Futures: birthing means having the freedom to dream boldly, outside of western systems. These systems have historically inflicted harm on First Nations peoples, so it’s important for us to reimagine the future, otherwise it won’t exist.
As a Nyikina woman, this film has great personal significance, it’s more than just a project – it’s a heartfelt exploration of identity, family, and the enduring strength found in our cultural traditions.
The film is centred around the journey of Kalinda (Gal), my cousin and a remarkable young woman, whose strength and resilience are indisputable.
Through Gal’s story we explore the intimate complexities of reclaiming traditional birthing practices and birthing on Country. This is a story of resilience, hope and understanding the power of culture in shaping our futures.
Collaborating with my long-term friend and fellow Curtin Journalism graduate, Director and Writer Kimberley Benjamin has been a long-awaited opportunity to create something special.
This film is a milestone for me, not just professionally, but also personally, as it’s the first Nyikina story I’ve had the privilege of exploring through film. This opportunity to amplify the voices of my people and empower them is an honour.
For me, this film is a labour of love – a story of pride, resilience, and the enduring legacy we strive to uphold for future generations.
What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learnt in your career so far?
Over the years, I’ve learnt a lot. I feel very fortunate that we have a very supportive film industry in WA, particularly for young Indigenous filmmakers. Working with filmmakers like Karla Hart has given me strength in my craft and confidence in the stories I want to tell.
Working on projects where you know the film will have an impact is very powerful, whether it’s teaching the audience something new or sharing someone’s story. This was one of the main reasons why I decided to pursue documentary filmmaking because it’s about sharing real stories from real people who’ve been through real experiences.
However, there will be times when you will work on stories that mean less to you, but you’ll always learn something.
Sharing these stories can be courageous and scary, but these experiences will help you grow your confidence and find your voice. I have an amazing support network around me and have learnt from some talented filmmakers who have helped me move forward boldly and tell these stories.
Building a strong network of people creating work that inspires and aligns with you will open doors and create opportunities for you.
Finally, when you’re first starting, you don’t have to say yes to everything. At the end of the day, it’s about trusting your gut and taking on opportunities that feel right to you.
Re-imagining Our Future: birthing will be released on 10 Play and Network 10’s social media channels later this year. Tee Ken Ng is available to view on ABC iview within Australia.
Shari Hutchison, Founder and Director of Kirri Media
Shari is a proud Nyikina woman from the Kimberley region of Western Australia. As a documentary filmmaker, Shari is passionate about producing meaningful content that sheds light on important issues, sparks conversations, and drives positive change. Since graduating from Curtin with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Screen Arts and Journalism (2014), Shari launched her own production company, Kirri Media. Through her company she produced the documentary, ‘Tee Ken Ng’ and upcoming ‘Re-imagining Our Futures: birthing’ for Network 10.
