First Nations consultancy Damulgurra Stories launches in Australia

Cian Mungatj McCue, left, and Sarah Price

Northern Territory producer Cian Mungatj McCue and casting agent Sarah Price have teamed to launch a new company, Damulgurra Stories, that aims to transform the screen industry’s approach to working with First Nations talent, projects and communities.

Price, the founder of agency Castaway NT, and McCue, producer and founder of Moogie Down Productions, forged the partnership in response to what they view as a gap in the industry.

“The absence of appropriate, culturally informed guidance that goes beyond tokenism when working with First Nations cast and crew,” the pair said in a statement.

The duo claim that when left unaddressed, it has led to unsafe working environments, lost opportunities, cultural harm and ultimately impacts the creative integrity of stories told.

The new venture aims to educate and facilitate cultural integrity, care and long-term collaboration to the heart of storytelling, targeting major film and television productions and extending to branded content and advertising projects.

These efforts will encompass the full lifecycle of a project, from initial engagement through to the often-overlooked transition period post-filming, taking a long-term view to ensure that community engagement doesn’t end when filming stops.

McCue and Price said: “Too often, engagement with First Nations communities occurs as an afterthought or not at all. With Damulgurra Stories, we’re creating a new way of working that places cultural integrity, care, and long-term relationships at the centre. It’s about putting heart into every stage of storytelling, from concept to completion, and ensuring First Nations voices are heard, respected, and leading the way.”

Damulgurra Stories will officially launch at SPA’s Screen Forever conference held in Queensland next month with details on how the new initiative will support cultural safety on projects involving collaboration between First Nations and non–First Nations producers, creatives and crew.