The next generation: Strength, vision & legacy in the NAIDOC Week collection

Celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with this powerhouse lineup of films and series.

The 2025 NAIDOC Week theme is "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy".

This year's NAIDOC Week theme is 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy', a call to celebrate not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities and the legacy of our ancestors.

It is a time to recognise the significant contributions of the world's oldest continuous culture, and listen and learn from distinctive and authentic Indigenous perspectives.

Here is what you can find in this year's NAIDOC Week collection:

Our Medicine

Baby covered in clay for strengthening ceremony from 'Our Medicine'.

Taking viewers behind the frontline of Australia’s strained medical services, six-part series Our Medicine shines an important light on First Nations professionals working to achieve better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and communities.

Narrated by popular actress Leah Purcell AM, Our Medicine follows First Nations doctors, nurses, paramedics, traditional healers and other medical professionals in their day-to-day challenges as they support patients on their journey through the system.

Our Medicine is now availale on SBS On Demand.

Ablaze

Three boys around First Nations filmmaker Bill Onus' camera, as seen in 'Ablaze'.

Ablaze is an incredible biographical documentary from opera singer Tiriki Onus, who finds a 70-year-old silent film believed to be made by his grandfather, Aboriginal leader and filmmaker Bill Onus. As Tiriki travels across the continent and pieces together clues to the film’s origins, he discovers more about Bill, his fight for Aboriginal rights and the price he paid for speaking out.

Ablaze premieres on NITV and SBS On Demand on Sunday 6 July at 8:30pm.

NITV News

Natalie Ahmat for NITV News.

Covering NAIDOC events from across the week and sharing the latest news from the oldest living culture, join Mudburra and Wagadagam woman Natalie Ahmat, Yorta Yorta and Gunditjmara man Michael Rennie, and Worimi woman Breanna Holden for NITV News. Supported by a team of journalists, watch NITV News for stories from an Indigenous perspective, culminating on Friday 11 July with a special edition of Nula at 5.30pm, featuring NAIDOC marches and community gatherings from around the country.

Monday 7 to Thursday 10 July at 6:30pm and Friday 11 July at 5:30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand.

Living Black: Evonne Goolagong Cawley AC MBE

Presenter, producer, journalist and Western Arrernte woman, Karla Grant. Credit: NITV / Dave Ollie

Living Black is Australia's longest running Indigenous current affairs television program, featuring inspiring and influential people talking about their lives and careers. Walkley Award-winning journalist Karla Grant explores the issues affecting First Nations peoples through candid interviews and powerful investigations. For this NAIDOC Week episode, she interviews legendary Australian tennis icon Evonne Goolagong Cawley AC MBE. Fifty years after winning the Australian Open, Evonne is still firmly entrenched in the sport. Keen to hear her insights, Karla travelled to Darwin to attend the National Indigenous Tennis Carnival where she spoke to Evonne about her extraordinary life and career, and how her foundation is on the lookout for the next generation of tennis stars.

Living Black, featuring Evonne Goolagong Cawley AC MBE and hosted by Walkley Award-winning Executive Producer Karla Grant, premieres on Monday 7 July at 8:30pm.

The Point: NAIDOC Week Special

John Paul Janke on the set of The Point.

The Point is the home of First Nations perspectives, with the team travelling the country to hear from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and nonIndigenous Australians. Join proud Wuthathi and Meriam man and National Indigenous Affairs Editor, John Paul Janke, as NAIDOC celebrates 50 years. In this episode, The Point sits down with emerging leaders who continue in their ancestor’s footprints. What’s it like to carry a name like Mabo, Dodson or Bayles?

The Point will premiere a NAIDOC-themed episode on Tuesday 8 July at 7:30pm, hosted by National Indigenous Affairs Editor John Paul Janke.

Emily: I Am Kam

The opening of the Emily Kam Kngwarray exhibition NGA December 2023 The work behind is "A Summer Project: Utopia Women's Paintings” 1988/89. L-R, Front Row: Jean Kngwarray Long, Margaret Kngwarray Long, Kelli Cole, Louisa Kngwarray Long, Jedda Kngwarray Purvis. L-R, Back Row: Sophia Lunn, Dr Jennifer Green. Front Row: Josie Petyarr Kunoth, Melissa Kngwarray Long.

Emily: I Am Kam is a heartfelt documentary about internationally renowned artist, Emily Kam Kngwarray from the Utopia community in the Northern Territory. The film delves into Emily Kam Kngwarray's transformative impact on the international contemporary art world and her enduring legacy, providing a rare opportunity to witness her journey and the profound influence of her art and the power of Emily’s work to protect her Country, Alhalker (Media Release attached). The documentary is produced by Tamarind Tree Pictures and directed by Danielle McLean (Barrumbi Kids).

Emily: I am Kam premieres on NITV and SBS On Demand on Wednesday 9 July at 8:30pm, and on SBS on Saturday 12 July at 8:30pm, after its world premiere at Sydney Film Festival this month.

Big Backyard Quiz (BBQ)

Credit: Rebecca Mansell

Big Backyard Quiz (BBQ), a cheeky new entertainment series hosted by 10 News First’s Narelda Jacobs OAM and comedian Steven Oliver that challenges contestants to see who knows the most about the people and history of Australia from a Blak lens. This season’s stellar line-up of comedians as contestants includes Meyne Wyatt (The Moogai, We Are Still Here), Shari Sebbens (The Moogai, Little J & Big Cuz), Matt Okine, Nina Oyama, Rhys Nicholson and Emma Holland, all in Episode 1. Also featuring this season will be Ernie Dingo, Rove McManus, Tasma Walton, and Peter Rowsthorn. Big Backyard Quiz is executive produced by Adam Manovic and Daniel Gallahar and was filmed with the support of Screenwest in Boorloo (Perth).

Big Backyard Quiz premieres on Saturday 12 July at 7:30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand.

The Cook Up (NAIDOC themed episodes)

L-R: Comedian Jay Wymarra, bestselling author Samantha Martin AKA Bush Tukka Woman and Nornie Bero in The Cook Up's NAIDOC episode. Credit: Jiwon Kim

Throughout the week, SBS Food is proud to present NAIDOC themed episodes of The Cook Up with guest host Nornie Bero (Island Echoes with Nornie Bero), premiering weekdays from Monday 7 July to Wednesday 9 July at 7:00pm. Nornie will share stories and create incredible dishes with guests including entertainer Jay Wymarra, the ‘Bush Tukka Woman’ Samantha Martin, comedian Andy Saunders, and journalist Rae Johnston (Going Places with Ernie Dingo and The Secret DNA of Us).

The Cook Up (NAIDOC themed episodes) premieres on Saturday 12 July at 7:30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand.

The NAIDOC Week Collection, including Shelley Ware Guest Curates and more, will live on the NITV Muy Ngulayg hub, a dedicated streaming hub on SBS On Demand that provides a platform for First Nations storytelling including First Nations films, documentaries and TV series from Australia and around the world that illuminate inner knowledge, traditional culture and lore.

Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok using #NAIDOC2025.