Descendance/Naroo began working in films as early as 1996 when they starred in Australia’s first full-length laser movie “Reef Dreaming”, which had a season at Cockle Bay in Darling Harbour Sydney for over three years.

A documentary by the Discovery Channel titled “Atlas Australia” screened in a record breaking 170 countries 2006-2008, and featured Descendance, who supplied all the indigenous content and locations, the documentary was narrated by Russell Crowe.

With the birth of indigenous TV network NITV in 2008, Descendance is now producing its own content and receiving regular broadcast time, with no less than six documentaries running in high rotation, such as “The Africa-Baltic’s Tour 2007”, the Yaarnz program, Palm Island doco, these productions in association with Warwick Moss, Yeyekerte Caama productions, The NAIDOC Ball NRS in Canberra, and The Deadlys Aboriginal awards

The most ambitious project to date is a Hollywood feature film being produced by Alchemy Films simply titled Descendance, the original script written by Mark Fitzpatrick and conceptualised by Jose Calarco tells some of the amazing true stories from the members of the International Dance Company.

MEDIA

Descendance have been able to secure extraordinary International media coverage in recent years, having toured over thirty countries and over one hundred cities, the group has secured invaluable coverage in both the printed and electronic media.
This has helped to promote Australia and raise the profile of the traditional land owners.

Reef Dreaming was Australia’s first full length “laser” movie written by Sean Choolburra and The Naroo Dance Company, the film was sponsored by Laser Vision Australia.

Reef Dreaming was screened in the bay of Darling Harbour Sydney on a jet-propelled wall of water producing giant hologram images, enhanced with uncanny laser effects. “Reef Dreaming” went on to become a landmark tourist attraction for three years, viewed by hundreds of thousands of people. A simple yet powerful love story of an Aboriginal boy falling in love with a Torres Strait Islander girl and the controversies a mixed relationship brings.

Atlas Australia was the most ambitious and graphic documentary ever shot in this country, breathtaking cinematography with compelling storylines of everyday Australians, in an epic presentation running for two hours and narrated by Russell Crowe.

Descendance supplied all the indigenous stories, performances and locations for the film, senior members of Descendance, Arthur Turtle Tamwoy and Nicole Willis were featured personalities throughout the film.

The Descendance Africa-Baltic States tour 2007 was a journey of the sprit heart and mind, and a lesson in coordination, endurance and faith. Imagine a journey that would take you 50,000km, travelling through ten countries in six weeks half a world apart?, dealing with nine different currencies, vaccinations, food poising in Africa, visas, language barriers, different time zones, tight transfer schedules, varying weather conditions, new cuisines to digest., and not enough money in the budget, in the end it was a triumph for Descendance and their finest moment.

Descendance Dance Company travelled to their community in Palm Island North Queensland, where they completed workshops and dance programs for their sixty strong indigenous children’s dance company, culminating in a big concert for the community.

The children of Palm Island are its future and make up one third of its population, Descendance along with Bwgcolman Futures President Robert Blackley and Treasurer Svea Pittman are helping build esteem and confidence into the children through culture and various programs, giving children positive options and new ideas for the future.

The highly popular Yaarnz series on NITV has dedicated a series of episodes following the stories of key Descendance members, Arthur Turtle Tamwoy, Goomblar Wylo, Benelong Carroll, and producer Jose Calarco, giving an insight to Australia’s most travelled international dance company, and what it takes to break into the International market.

Yeyekerte is a weekly magazine-style television show that encompasses a cross-section of life from what’s on in entertainment to business tips for aspiring entrepreneurs; from personal profiles of inspiring individuals to history, health and current affairs.

The NAIDOC awards ball is the highlight on the indigenous calendar each year, in 2008 Descendance had the honour to open the event and perform alongside the cream of indigenous talent in Australia today, like Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Casey Donovan, Dale Huddleston and the Riverbank Band, Jessica Mauboy, Mary G, Ernie Dingo and Leah Purcell, the awards were telecast for NITV

A true heartfelt story of an Aboriginal performer whose journey we follow through orphanages, prisons and eventually rehabilitation. Visions sent to him by his dead grandfather begin to reshape his life, he is drawn to Sydney to find his long lost sister, on his travels he stumbles across a struggling Aboriginal dance group ”Descendance”, who lack commitment with no sense of direction. With the help of a cultural mentor who is dying, and a sensitive manager, they help the dancers overcome obstacles to reach new levels of excellence, which eventually leads them on a journey across three continents; where they finally reach their goal of entering the World Cultural Championships in Seoul Korea.

The Deadlys is one of Australia’s leading aboriginal awards shows staged at The Sydney Opera House since 1994 and broadcast on national TV each year, Descendance had the honor to open the awards in 2008, the 14th Deadlys awards boasted some of the top names in Australia’s indigenous business which included , Jimmy Little, Jessica Mauboy, and Australia’s latest singing superstar Gurrumul.