Dena Curtis

Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Productions, NITV

Dena Curtis is a Warlpiri, Warrumungu, and Arrernte filmmaker from Central Australia. Her career
in media began at Papulu Apparr Kari Language Centre in Tennant Creek in 1998, followed by a
role as a Production Assistant at the CAAMA Productions in 2000. Dena gained formal training
through the AFTRS, completing a graduate diploma in Television Editing.

In 2005, Dena wrote and directed her first short film, Hush, which garnered international acclaim,
screening at festivals like ImagineNATIVE and the Melbourne International Film Festival. Her
subsequent short film, Jacob, released in 2008, further solidified her reputation, winning multiple
awards and screening at prestigious festivals including TIFF and Flickerfest.

From 2010 onwards, Dena took on roles at National Indigenous Television and the Australian
Broadcasting Corporation before establishing Inkey Media in 2015, focusing on projects that
showcase Indigenous stories and stories of resistance and resilience. Her work includes
developing and producing the acclaimed children’s series Grace Beside Me and co-producing
award-winning documentaries like Ella, Shadow Trackers and Belonging. Most recently, Dena
executive produced Rebels with a Cause for NITV which premiered at MIFF, and produced the
series’ First Weapons, which took out GOLD at the New York Festivals Film and TV Awards