Bio

Darlene Johnson (Dunghutti), an AFTRS alumna (Master of Arts, Honours – Screenwriting and Directing), is an internationally awarded writer, director and producer, who works across TV, film and documentary, earning AACTA, Australian Directors Guild, International Emmy, AFI, IF, AWGIE and Logie nominations.

Her groundbreaking short film, Two Bob Mermaid, was the first Indigenous Australian film to screen in competition at the Venice Film festival. The film was shortlisted for the Baby Lion Award and marked a significant debut for Indigenous representation in international cinema. It won Best Australian Short Film at the Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards and Best Short Film at the Asia Pacific Film Festival. She went on to direct the iconic Crocodile Dreaming and a collection of acclaimed documentaries, including the international Emmy-nominated Stolen Generations, Following the Rabbit‑Proof Fence, Gulpilil – One Red Blood, River of No Return and The Redfern Story.

Darlene’s television credits include Home and Away, The Heights, Neighbours, and Born to Spy , reflecting her strength in performance‑driven storytelling. She is currently developing a feature based on her ADG‑award‑winning short Bluey.