It is a short-film entitled 'My Journey' and was made by Tasmanian Indigenous newcomer filmmakers Nathan Maynard and Adam Thompson.
It was supposed to be screened at the GRIT film festival in Hobart last weekend.
The "mockumentary" was pulled out due to the concerns of the Tasmanian Community Fund and Wide Angle Tasmania, who believe it could be defamatory and may cause the community "harm."
“I absolutely see it as political censorship. It is shocking …. essentially, they have censored it," said Adam Thompson.
“It’s a contentious issue, but as Aboriginal people we have a right to tell stories and talk about things that are important to us as a community and that are affecting us as a community.
“And the issue is probably the most important issue that we have going on at the moment in Tasmania.”
Adam has yet to reveal the plot as he and Nathan Maynard are planning to run their own individual screen of the film. He didn't deny that it was about a caucasion discovering their Aboriginality.
The number of Tasmanians that identify as Indigenous has increased from 36 in 1966 to 23, 572 in 2016, and 30, 186 at this present moment. The government run by the state has introduced policies in order to remove barriers in the recognition of Aboriginals.
Adam Thompson has advised the film is fictional and he doesn't accept the concerns of possible defamation.
David Gurney, Wide Angle chairman has advised these concerns are based on legal advice.
He has said the film focuses on Smithton in northwest Tasmania where there are concerns it could defame particular people.
“The TCF was concerned that the film is potentially litigious and … harmful to a very specific community. TCF asked them (the film-makers) to make some changes to the film, which they refused to do.
“So then the TCF instructed Wide Angle not to screen the film as part of the GRIT screenings.
“When that happened, we sought legal advice from one of Australia’s leading media law firms and we also received the advice that the film could lead to a defamation.”
The TCF is an independent body that releases funds from the sale of a state-owned bank. They have a policy that prevents the funding of anything potentially harmful.
Mr. Gurney added, “No one is disputing the broader issue that is being discussed in the film – it is an important issue – but … this so-called fictitious story is set in a very real, very small town. The names in the film are very closely resembling people in that town. There are issues in that film that are very specific to that town. And we are talking a town of a few hundred people.”
The TCF confirmed the raised concerns with the film. “These issues are for Wide Angle Tasmania to resolve with the film makers,” a spokesman said.
Thompson has advised he and his fellow filmmaker had received approval for the concept and script from a GRIT steering committee.
Mr. Gurney advises this happened prior to TCF informing Wide Angle of potential defamation risk.
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