Northern Territory’s screen industry continues to surge, building on a foundation of successful productions and an increasing national and international presence.

The power of film to influence travel is undisputable, with one in three travellers choosing their destination based on a TV show or movie. With a series of exciting new releases slated for 2025, Screen Territory, within the Department of Tourism and Hospitality, continues to solidify the Northern Territory’s reputation as a powerhouse for film and television production, showcasing our destination to traveller audiences around the world.

The past year has seen remarkable growth, with productions such as NCIS: Sydney Season 2 on Paramount+, Amazon series Deadloch Season 2 and Top End Bub generating significant industry momentum, as well as the exciting family feature Kangaroo. Each of these projects showcases the NT’s diverse landscapes and storytelling while bringing substantial economic and employment benefits to the Territory, as well as encouraging tourism visitation.

One of the most anticipated productions set for release in 2025 is the ambitious feature film Kangaroo. The film, which contributed $4.34 million to the NT economy, stars Ryan Corr and Deborah Mailman and was produced by Alice Springs-based Brindle Films with Sydney-based Bunya Productions for STUDIOCANAL.

Set to be released this year, Kangaroo which is inspired by the life of Chris “Brolga” Barns, founder of the Alice Springs Kangaroo Sanctuary, exemplifies the NT’s ability to attract and support high-profile productions while maintaining strong ties to local storytelling. With stunning cinematography and a heart-warming narrative, Kangaroo is poised to leave a lasting impression in Australia and across the globe.

L-R: WILLIAM MCCINNES, TODD LASANCE, OLIVIA SWANN, MAVOURNEE HAZEL, TUULI NARKLE. COURTESY PARAMOUNT +

Screen Territory is collaborating with the Destination Marketing team within the Department of Tourism and Hospitality to amplify the reach of screen productions across domestic and international markets.

This strategy proved highly effective with the Netflix smash-hit series Territory which saw the launch of the marketing campaign Real Territory. Such marketing activations encourage tourists to “set jet” to the Territory with 41 percent of Territory viewers considering a trip to explore the magnificent filming locations as seen in their favourite shows.

Equally exciting is Amazon and ZDF series Top End Bub, a fresh, joyful comedy series that is the follow up to the hugely successful feature film Top End Wedding.

Filmed in the Top End, the series revisits the journey of Lauren, an ambitious Indigenous lawyer thriving in Adelaide. Married to Ned, whose claim to fame is baking the perfect croissant, Lauren appears to have it all — until life takes an unexpected turn. When her eight-year-old niece is orphaned, Lauren and Ned uproot their city lifestyle to move to the Northern Territory, where the Outback meets the tropics.

“The forthcoming releases of Top End Bub, Kangaroo, and Deadloch Season 2 are catalysts for our vibrant storytelling culture. The ability to leverage opportunities via our Destination Marketing team allows us to amplify the impact of these market releases and to highlight the unique allure that the Territory has to offer,” said Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Department of Tourism and Hospitality, Scott Lovett.

The series was created, executive produced and written by Top End Wedding writers Joshua Tyler and Territorian Miranda Tapsell and produced by Goalpost Pictures. It will also feature Miranda Tapsell returning to the lead role under the direction of fellow Territorian Shari Sebbens.

Set to further profile the Northern Territory’s presence on Australian and global screens is the action-packed Paramount+ series NCIS: Sydney Season 2, which contributed $2.96 million into the NT economy during its three-week filming block.

Similarly, Deadloch Season 2 for Amazon Prime also contributed $3.1 million of direct spend into the local economy, with its first season having reached the top 10 TV spot in more than 165 countries and territories on the streaming service. Season 2 is poised to continue this success and bring the NT town of Batchelor, where the production did much of its filming, into living rooms across the world.

CAMERA CREW WORKING ON FEATURE FILM ‘KANGAROO’. COURTESY OF STUDIOCANAL

ACTOR LILY WHITELEY IN “KANGAROO”. COURTESY STUDIOCANAL.

“The Northern Territory continues to punch above its weight in the screen industry, attracting major productions and fostering homegrown stories that resonate with audiences worldwide,” says Director of Screen Territory Jennie Hughes. “With projects like Kangaroo and Top End Bub, we’re seeing an incredible synthesis of local talent and key national production companies collaborating to create compelling content that showcases the NT’s unique landscapes and deep storytelling traditions, in addition to providing oopportunities for local businesses and employment pathways for NT screen production crew.”

These productions reinforce the NT’s status as an attractive filming destination, supported by Screen Territory’s Production Attraction Incentive Program, which encourages major productions to film in the region. With every dollar invested in screen productions generating a minimum of four times its value in direct NT local spend, with actual spend audited at the end of the production, the economic impact is undeniable.

Local production is at an all-time high too. In December 2024, local producer Exposure Productions’ documentary Tracy, marking the 50th anniversary of the cyclone, had incredible success on Ch9 with over one million views on the broadcaster across the country.

Also set for release this year are feature documentaries Emily – I Am KAM by Tamarind Tree Pictures, honouring the late Emily Kam Kngwarray who was one of the world’s most significant contemporary painters to emerge in the twentieth century, and the moving documentary Journey Home by Alice Springs-based Brindle Films and Savage Films NT, which documents David Gulpilil’s journey home from South Australia to his birthplace after his passing in 2021. The centrepiece of the film is the Bäpurru ceremony in Marwuyu near the Arafura Swamp.

“The remarkable achievements of our local sector, especially Tracy’s outstanding efforts that led to one million views on Ch9, deserve recognition. We are also excited for the upcoming documentary Journey Home, narrated by the exceptional Hugh Jackman AC and Danzal Baker OAM (professionally known as “Baker Boy”) and Crafted by Maggie Miles, the NT’s Trisha Morton-Thomas and Rachel Clements of Brindle Films, and Cathy Gallaher, this project will beautifully highlight the depth and diversity of the stories and the talent within our community.”

Screen Territory’s proactive approach ensures the NT remains a competitive player in the national and international screen landscape. From feature films to television series and documentaries, the NT is delivering compelling stories, fostering local talent, and driving economic and cultural prosperity.

With a thriving industry and a slate of high-profile projects in 2025, the Northern Territory is proving that it is not just a spectacular place to visit —but an extraordinary place to create stories that captivate the world. TQ

OLIVIA SWANN ON LOCATION IN DARWIN FOR NCIS: SYDNEY SEASON 2. COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT +.