NT Films Win Big, Bring $9.5M to Remote Australia

Four decades after Crocodile Dundee put Australia's Northern Territory on the map, a new wave of films from the remote region is capturing hearts around the world and transforming local economies.

"Kangaroo," shot in Alice Springs, became Germany's highest-grossing Australian film in 25 years and topped Australia's national box office in 2025. The film, based on the real story of local wildlife rescuer Chris "Brolga" Barns and his kangaroo sanctuary, opened at number 12 in UK cinemas last week.

The success isn't just about box office numbers. Screen Territory's $2 million investment in three recent films has generated more than $9.5 million for Central Australia, Darwin, and the Tiwi Islands.

At last week's AACTA Awards (Australia's equivalent of the Oscars), NT productions swept multiple categories. "Kangaroo," "Top End Bub," and "Journey Home" all took home trophies, signaling a creative renaissance in Australia's north.

"Journey Home" documents the traditional funeral of late Aboriginal actor David Gulpilil, one of the territory's pioneering film figures. The documentary captured what associate producer Cathy Gallagher calls the region's "hilarious, outrageous culture" and unique landscapes that can't be replicated anywhere else.

For Tiwi woman and "Top End Bub" co-producer Libby Collins, the moment represents something bigger than awards. "Crocodile Dundee was a great foundation, but for us to now tell our own stories in our own way and be on either side of the camera is pretty epic," she said.

This week, Alice Springs director Warwick Thornton will debut his new film "Wolfram" at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival, continuing the territory's international momentum.

The Ripple Effect

The boom in NT filmmaking is creating jobs, celebrating Indigenous stories, and drawing tourists to remote Australian communities. Screen Territory director Jennie Hughes says the territory now leads the nation in "screen tourism," where visitors travel to see filming locations in person.

Local businesses are benefiting too, from hotels to restaurants to tour operators. The films showcase real NT locations and people, turning everyday locals into cultural ambassadors and their communities into destinations.

The success proves that authentic stories from remote places can compete on the world stage while strengthening the communities that create them.