Kindred

'As two individual voices telling our stories, we have used different visual elements woven together, giving strong personal narratives that not only hold space for each other and for our families, but which also show our deep connection as we explore themes of identity, culture, belonging, racism, trauma, friendship, courage, loss and love,' said the directors.

School photo of Gillian in Year 4.

'For every adopted person, this journey and curiosity is different, and we are no exception. We knew that one day we would tell our story: the fact we were both Aboriginal growing up in a white, affluent world, that we both got to meet our natural families, we met each other's adopted and birth families, and, importantly, we both got to meet our birth mothers. For some adopted people, this can throw your world upside down. It did for both of us. The worlds can be complex and conflicted.'

For Gill, seeking answers meant her family simply grew, while for Adrian it underscored loss and sacrifice.

Kindred was the winner of the inaugural First Nations Film Creative Award at the 2023 Melbourne International Film Festival.

Kindred premiered on National Indigenous Television (NITV) on Sunday 2 June 2024 during National Reconciliation Week. It is also available to stream for free on SBS On Demand.

About the creators

Adrian and Gillian in Kindred.

Adrian Russell Wills is a Wonnarua man from Bourke, NSW known for exploring the lives of outsiders, fringe dwellers and rebels. His distinct storytelling style challenges audiences to confront perspectives beyond their own experiences. Wills has directed numerous documentaries, including Our Bush Wedding, When the Natives Get Restless, Boxing for Palm Island and 88. His documentary Black Divaz premiered at the 2018 Sydney Mardi Gras Film Festival and aired on NITV-SBS. In drama, Wills has worked on acclaimed series such as Redfern Now, RFDS, Rush, Wentworth and the Emmy-nominated Ready for This. He is financing his debut feature drama and collaborating on various television projects.

Gillian Moody is a WodiWodi/Dharawal woman from the Wreck Bay Community. She founded Kalori Productions after working in production at SBS Television and as an Investment and Development Manager at Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department. Moody’s work includes producing the documentary series Family Rules for NITV and co-producing Black Divaz with Adrian Russell Wills, which won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Sydney Queer Screen Mardi Gras Film Festival. Moody directed Naa Muru Gurung, a documentary about Aboriginal teachers for the NSW Teachers Federation. For Kindred, Gillian co-produced with Tom Zubrycki, making a Kalori and Jotz Production. She is the Senior Manager of Indigenous Connections at the National Film and Sound Archive.

Main image: Adrian Russell Wills and Gillian Moody. Photographer Sally Flegg