Every time a story by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is told, the story itself and the act of telling that story is a very real confirmation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that our culture is alive and strong and continuing to survive.

Yellamundie: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Playwriting Festival was first presented by Moogahlin Performing Arts, Carriageworks and the Sydney Festival in February 2013.

Yellamundie [a Dharug word meaning storyteller] was a powerful celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture and was an initiative of the National Indigenous Theatre Forum held in Cairns, Queensland in 2010.

Yellamundie was the first Indigenous playwriting event held in Australia for 13 years and the first held in Sydney for over 20 years and holds a important and historic place in the artistic and cultural development of Aboriginal theatre in Australia.

The central aim of Yellamundie is to discover, develop and promote new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander playwriting that displays potential for further creative development and/or production opportunities.

Yellamundie provides an space for emerging and established playwrights to have their work developed within a supportive and nurturing artistic and cultural context, honing and showcasing their skills and talent and gaining access and connection to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal theatre industry networks.

Yellamundie provides an opportunity for emerging and established Aboriginal actors, directors, playwrights and dramaturgs to work on Aboriginal stories, share their experiences, and connect to and learn more about their culture.

Yellamundie acts as a contact resource that identifies and connects Indigenous playwrights and theatre artists in general.

Yellamundie adds to the repertoire of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander playwriting and theatre performance nationally and internationally.

Yellamundie increases the awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

Yellamundie provides employment for Aboriginal theatre artists from across Australia.

Yellamunide contributes to the development and sustainability of the national Indigenous theatre sector while contributing to both the NSW and national arts industries, in general.

Yellamundie brings awareness to the NSW Aboriginal Community and general community about Indigenous culture.

Yellamundie 2013 employed 31 Aboriginal theatre artists: 6 playwrights, 21 actors, 3 directors and 1 production/stage manager. The festival program featured 3 evenings of free play readings to an audience of local Aboriginal community, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal theatre industry peers and general public. Since the festival, 3 of the 6 play scripts have gone on to further opportunities; Jane Harrison's First Contact received script development from the MTC, as part of the Melbourne Indigenous Arts Festival, David Milroy's Crowbones and Carnivores received script development from Yirra Yaarkin and Jada Albert's Weight was produced by Belvoir St under the new title, Brother's Wreck.

Yellamundie 2013 received funding support from ATSIAB and Theatre Board of the Australia Council, Arts NSW, DCA WA, Arts Victoria, Sydney Festival, the Scully Fund, as well as in kind support from Carriageworks, Playwriting Australia, Sydney Opera House, Gadigal Information Service, and the MTC.

Moogahlin will produce and present a second Yellanundie Festival with Carriageworks (our presenting partner) in 2015.

Festival pre-production will begin on 3rd November 2014 with Carriageworks providing in kind office space and administrative support. A national call out for applications will open on Mon 9th Feb 2015 and close on Mon 4th May 2015. A national assessment panel will assess all submitted scripts and choose a final 6 scripts for festival script development. The successful playwrights will be notified on Fri 5th June and their names will be made public on Fri 19th June. Casting of actors can only take place after this date.

The festival will consist of three distinct parts.

1. Script Development workshops:
   Each playwright will be given assistance in developing their script by working closely with a director, dramaturg and actors.
2. Free to the public script readings:
   Each of the six scripts will be given a free public reading at the end of the development workshop process.
3. Industry Panel Discussions and Masterclasses:
   A program of industry panel discussions and masterclasses will provide an opportunity for established and emerging Indigenous playwrights to discuss issues around Indigenous playwriting and also hone their craft with established theatre makers. Non-Aboriginal theatre professionals will be invited to observe and participate in questions and answer sessions.