Magic Lands Alliance
Sharing the truth of Indigenous and colonial history through film, education and community.
MLA is a not-for-profit organisation that unites filmmakers, First Nations communities and voices, local communities from the story’s regions, educators, sponsors, and philanthropists. Committed to truth-telling, cultural preservation, and restoration, we produce films and educational resources that deepen social awareness, strengthen connections to the land’s history, culture, and communities, and deliver lasting benefits for education, tourism, cultural heritage, and entertainment—well beyond the life of each project.
How It Works
Step 1: Contribute & Produce
Sponsors, contributors, and philanthropic investors join the Alliance to finance period drama productions.
Step 2: Research & Collaborate
The Alliance works alongside First Nations communities to develop stories, create educational resources, tourism infrastructure and preserve cultural knowledge.
Step 3: Production & Co-Creation
Alliance members and community partners co-create sets, costumes, music, language resources, and more — all documented for educational and tourism use.
Step 4: Giving Back
Set pieces, cultural designs, and materials — such as Indigenous huts — are given back to communities, philanthropists and sponsors to support education, tourism, and cultural projects.
Step 5: Release & Distribution
Completed productions are released to festivals, theatres, and streaming platforms, then licensed with accompanying educational resources to schools and institutions.
PERIOD Drama PROJECTs
Our period dramas are carefully selected to delve deeper into Australian history’s untold stories, focusing on areas where truth and First Nations voices have been overlooked.
More information on the period drama project slate.
Short Films
Our short films and teasers are created in collaboration with First Nations communities as part of our research, and the relationship and permissions phase of a period drama project.
Watch Short Films here that we have made with communities:
Educational Resources and Films
While exploring and researching for our period drama projects, we encountered a significant absence of educational content highlighting Australian and Indigenous history from both perspectives. Recognising this gap, we aim to utilise our research and digital assets created in development and production with Indigenous communities for educational resources that effectively portray a comprehensive view of history, showcasing the transformations that have occurred on the land, people, and animals.
To research more historical educational content, please visit Education Content
CURRENT PRODUCTIONS
Project 1
Magic Lands
Buckley and Purra’s Chance
Feature film - Period Drama - Thriller
Development, Scripted - Casting
Production Set for late 2025
The untold true story and bloodline of William Buckley, an escaped British convict, and his relationship with Wadawurrung woman and resistance fighter Purramurnin Tullawurnin. Set in early 1800s Victoria, this tale unfolds during the tumultuous period of land grabbing from Indigenous communities and the founding of the Geelong and Melbourne settlements.
Reconciliation
Our productions foster collaboration between First Nations and local communities where the story is set, bridging histories to create a shared, knowledgeable and brighter future for all.
Short Films
Garra’s Chance
Our team explored the mystery surrounding the daughter of William Buckley and Purranmurnin Tullawurnin. In this short film, we named her Garra, as we questioned her whereabouts and whether she survived. It was only at the end of production that we discovered historical records indicating she did survive the Silent War—and her name was Fanny. Fanny’s bloodline story will be told in the upcoming feature film, Moorrup’s Call.
This short film follows Garra, a young Indigenous woman on the run from colonists during the Silent War, hiding in the Anakie Mountains after being left behind by her parents. When colonist Robert Von Stieglitz, whose family controls over 200,000 acres of stolen land, encounters her while out hunting, Garra must quickly learn to survive and trust in the guidance of her ancestors.
Filmed on Wadawurrung Country in a single day, the result was nothing short of magical. Garra’s Chance.
Shifting Truth
Changing truth in society collectively requires open dialogue, education, and systemic reform. We challenge dominant narratives and reshape perspectives by fostering critical thinking and amplifying historically silenced voices through film, music, storytelling, and community engagement. Sustainable change comes through collective action, where individuals, institutions, and governments acknowledge past injustices and work together toward equity and truth.
Indigenous Community Collaboration
First Nations communities will actively participate in our projects, ensuring their voices are represented while creating socio-economic, educational, cultural, and tourism benefits. From set designs to costumes, we collaborate closely with community representatives to authentically bring their stories to the screen. After production, these cultural assets will be given back to the community. Every project is crafted with deep respect, ensuring authenticity and artistic integrity.
Long Term Purpose
Our alliance brings together filmmakers, educators, artists, First Nations leaders, and local communities united by a shared commitment to truth-telling. We are guided by integrity, cultural respect, and a deep purpose—to share powerful, authentic stories that educate, empower, and inspire.
Innovation in AI
Our productions and media endeavour to use latest technology in Ai for film and books to deliver international content.
Educational Videos and Content
Acknowledgement
Magic Lands Alliance and our producers acknowledge the Traditional Owners, Custodians, and First Nations communities across Australia and internationally. We respect their continued connection to the sky, land, waters, language and culture. We pay our respects to the First Peoples language groups, communities, and Elders - past, present, and emerging that continue to be impacted by colonisation and any harm caused in recreating our historically based true stories to create social awareness worldwide.
Our Production Protocol
Respect, protect, educate, and build social and moral awareness around Indigenous culture and Australian and international history.
To protect and gain consent/permissions from communities, traditional owners, and elders around Indigenous culture, oral stories, characters, costumes, language and artefacts, etc., shown in film productions and educational material.
To collaborate with Indigenous and contemporary communities where the story's subject content is located and create educational content that protects heritage and creates infrastructure, employment, and business opportunities in the area.
First Nation and Local Communities Support
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative Members, Artists and Traditional Owners
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, Artists and Members
Boonwurrung Sea and Land Council Traditional Owners and Members
Eastern Maar Community Traditional Owners and Members
Gudjitmara Community Traditional Owners and Members
Yorta Yorta Community Members and Traditional Owners
Torres Strait Island Community Members and Traditional Owners
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Traditionl Owners and Members
Taungurung Traditional Owners and Community Members
Steiglitz Community Members
Mount Rothwell Conservation and Reserve
Barwon Coast Council
City of Greater Geelong
Surf Riders Foundation Australia - Torquay
Ron Ellis and the Granites Property, Anakie.
Golden Plains Shire Council
Parks Victoria
Bass Coast Council
Australian Marine Conservation Society
