As a young South Asian Australian woman, culture has undoubtedly played an integral role in my life.

I grew up listening to the stories of my ancestors, and to this day, I'm learning of the experiences that constantly shape my community - both on this land and the one I call home. However, being raised in Australia, I've also long experienced a massive disconnect from how I'm represented.

This lack of representation isn't a singular experience but one that weighs on many communities like mine. Even today, it is rare to see people like me given space on the screen. We know the Australian media industry lacks diversity and inclusive representation - there are enough reports to prove that. We also know the shift to a more inclusive and diverse screen culture is afoot, with actors like Ayesha Madon (Heartbreak High) pioneering a revolution on the screen. However, I would argue we aren't moving fast enough.

The Australian screen industry needs to start appreciating and recognising the hard work of South Asian creatives, and most importantly, we need a seat at the table. To dig deeper, I spoke to the revered director and producer Ana Tiwary. Ana is a powerhouse equipped with more than a decade's experience in this industry. She is a South Asian Australian woman creative who is making waves by proactively pushing for inclusivity and diversity in the Australian screen sector. Based on the lands of the Gadigal people, Ana has founded her production company, IndiVisual Films, and the Diversity in Australian Media Facebook group to create spaces for inclusive storytelling. 

How did you get started in the industry, Ana? (as an aspiring filmmaker, I had to ask this!) 

I found my roots in the heart of Mumbai - Bollywood. For four years, I worked there and thrived in the chaos of production. I was lucky enough to be on set nearly every day and dive deep into the craft by utilising the environment as an efficient training ground. I then moved to the US to pursue a Masters in Film and immersed myself in world cinema and the breadth of perspectives. I then worked at the National Geographic channel and found my love for documentary filmmaking there. I had the opportunity to travel the world filming documentaries and interviewing some great people, like Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the then President of Liberia, and really hone my skills. 

In 2006, I married and moved to Australia, where I had to start building my network from scratch. I took up volunteer work at Women In Film and Television and ran a mentorship program there, eventually becoming the Vice-President. I then got an opportunity to work with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to make documentaries and work on a range of projects. So far, I’ve worked on approximately 25 documentaries and have continued to further my narrative work.

Have you experienced instances where you’ve felt or seen someone sidelined or altogether denied opportunities due to diversity?

I’ve seen careers rise at the cost of multicultural communities and instances where South Asians have been sidelined and kept waiting for crumbs. I know of incidents where South Asian creatives weren't selected for particular South Asian projects, and the white producers who were chosen then came to the rejected South Asian creatives asking for help because they didn’t have the cultural competency to be able to tell the story authentically. These incidents are exploitative and deny South Asians proper credit and payment.  

How is the Australian film and television industry tracking for genuine representation? 

The only reason change is happening is because there is a massive push. I feel hopeful, especially looking at the new generation, as they push back against forms of discrimination previous generations endured. I want to see a lot more people in positions of power actively pushing for change and inclusivity because justice delayed is justice denied. 

If I compare internationally, we need to do much better. In Australia, I am starting to see a shift happening in various spaces, and I’m grateful to everyone who is working hard. In terms of South Asian representation, we are very behind. Our population here, as the census revealed, is abundant, and in contrast, our presence in the media, whether on screen or behind the scenes, is dismal. A lot more needs to be done to support South Asian creators. We are one of the most under-represented communities in Australia.

Additionally, there are also conversations about authenticity that need to happen. People think authenticity can miraculously happen by having diverse actors on screen.- it doesn't work that way. Authenticity doesn't exist or thrive in a vacuum. At every stage, authenticity and inclusion need to be kept in mind, and the power dynamics in any production are crucial to fostering that. For instance, it is one thing to have diverse, young writers with varying perspectives in the writers' room, but if they are simply sidelined or not listened to, or if their ideas are 'whitewashed' in the process, then their contributions and the representation they bring aren't meaningful. Overall, I’m interested in keeping our audiences and communities in mind when we make stories for film and TV so that what we create is nourishing and healing for communities.   

What would be your message or tip to emerging South Asian creatives looking to enter the field and get started?

Our industry can be quite isolating and lonely, so surround yourself with a community of emerging filmmakers who want to collaborate and create. Find a mentor in your area of interest and hold on to your authentic voice when trying to get ideas from script to screen. I would also encourage you to understand how important visibility in film and TV is for the South Asian community. A win for one of us is a win for all of us. We should all care about our stories being told in authentic ways - a better cultural understanding can act as a unifying bond leading to more empathy, humanity, and a sense of belonging. 

You can connect with Ana via Linkedin. 

Riti is a filmmaker and writer in Sydney. She currently studies at the Australian Film Television and Radio School and is passionate about the arts and creativity. You can connect with her via Linkedin or Instagram.