Magic Lands Alliance
Historical Truth through Film, Education, Culture & Community
Magic Lands Alliance (MLA) is a cultural initiative transforming how history is shared — through film, education, and on-Country infrastructure.
Operating across Australia and expanding internationally, MLA creates historically grounded screen productions that act as the foundation for long-term Indigenous-led cultural, educational, and socio-economic outcomes.
Working in partnership with Indigenous custodians and Elders — alongside historians, educators, filmmakers, and industry partners — MLA combines rigorous research, cultural authority, and compelling storytelling to deepen understanding of Indigenous knowledge and history.
Film is not the end goal — it is the engine that builds lasting cultural assets for future generations.
MLA APPROACH
We unite Indigenous knowledge, academic research, and screen production into one model.
Not temporary projects — permanent outcomes.
Every film activates:
• Cultural infrastructure
• Education content and information
• Community pathways
• Long-term economic and social impact
WHAT WE DELIVER
• Permanent Cultural Infrastructure
Built on Country. Retained for community, education, and cultural use
• Indigenous-Led Experiences
Authentic tourism grounded in story, language, and place
• Education Platforms
Curriculum-aligned learning connecting history, science, and culture
• Jobs & Enterprise
Real pathways beyond production — skills, employment, Indigenous-led business
WHY IT MATTERS
Most productions leave nothing behind.
Through truth-telling, cultural authority, and long-term design, we strengthen:
• Culture
• Education
• Environment
• Community
IMPACT
Culture — Protecting knowledge. Passing stories forward.
Education — Connecting people to Country, science, culture, and history.
Environment — Regenerating land ecology and sustainability practices
CALL TO ACTION
Be part of building something that lasts.
Moorups Call (Short Film, 2025)
Period Drama Projects
Our period drama projects are carefully selected to delve deeper into the untold stories of Australian and International history during colonisation, focusing on areas where truth, facts, events, and Indigenous voices have been overlooked.
More information on the period drama project slate.
SHIFTING TRUTH
Meaningful truth-telling goes beyond film — it requires dialogue, education, and structural change.
MLA challenges dominant historical narratives by centring rigorous research, critical thinking, and voices long silenced. Through film and community-led engagement, we support a shared reckoning with the past — enabling individuals, institutions, and governments to acknowledge injustice and move toward truth, equality, and understanding.
INIGENOUS COLLABORATION
First Nations custodians and communities are partners in every project.
From research to production, their leadership ensures cultural authority, integrity, and respect — with all outcomes designed to return lasting value to community.
LONG-TERM PURPOSE
We bring together filmmakers, Indigenous leaders, educators, and communities to create work that endures.
Every project is built to inform, empower, and generate impact far beyond the screen.
INNOVATION
MLA uses emerging technologies, including responsible AI, to expand research, storytelling, and access.
Always guided by ethics, cultural authority, and community control.
Education & Tourism
MLA delivers a growing education platform and on-Country tourism model built from film, research, and Indigenous knowledge systems.
Education
The MLA Educational Series connects history, science, and culture through a curriculum-aligned, interdisciplinary program developed with First Nations custodians. Drawing on hundreds of referenced works and years of research, the platform explores the story of land, life, and identity — from deep time to the present.
Free access available during early development.
Tourism
As productions move into delivery, MLA develops permanent on-Country infrastructure — creating immersive, Indigenous-led cultural tourism experiences.
These experiences are built to last, supporting:
• Local employment
• Cultural revitalisation
• Education and visitor engagement
Vision
From digital learning to living landscapes. MLA is evolving into a fully integrated model where education, tourism, and cultural infrastructure operate together on Country — creating long-term impact for community, culture, and future generations.
Course written and delivered by
James Vegter and Uncle Reg Abrahams
CONTRIBUTE
MLA is built through collaboration and shared purpose. Our contributors, members, philanthropists, and sponsors believe in supporting authentic historical storytelling, Indigenous knowledge, culture, and education through unity and collective action.
Contributions, memberships, and sponsorships directly support MLA’s first major project, Magic Lands – Purra and Buckley’s Chance — a film, education, and cultural infrastructure initiative grounded in Indigenous leadership and community participation.
Support helps bring an international historical drama film project to life while creating lasting outcomes through:
• Education and cultural learning resources
• Cultural preservation and legacy
• On-Country employment and enterprise opportunities
• Long-term community and tourism impact
INDIGENOUS LED COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative Members, Artists and Traditional Owners
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, Artists and Members
Boonwurrung Sea and Land Council Traditional Owners and Members
Eastern Maar Community Traditional Owners and Members
Gudjitmara Community Traditional Owners and Members
Yorta Yorta Community Members and Traditional Owners
Torres Strait Island Community Members and Traditional Owners
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Traditional Owners and Members
Taungurung Traditional Owners and Community Members
Steiglitz Community Members
Mount Rothwell Conservation and Reserve
Barwon Coast Council
City of Greater Geelong
Surf Riders Foundation Australia - Torquay
Ron Ellis and the Granites Property, Anakie.
Golden Plains Shire Council
Parks Victoria
Bass Coast Council
Australian Marine Conservation Society
Acknowledgement
MLA and our producers acknowledge the Traditional Owners, Custodians, and First Nations communities across Australia and internationally. We respect their continued connection to the sky, land, waters, language and culture. We pay our respects to the First Peoples language groups, communities, and Elders - past, present, and emerging that continue to be impacted by colonisation and any harm caused in recreating our historically based true stories to create social awareness worldwide.
Indigenous Production Protocol
Respect, protect, educate, and build social and moral awareness around Indigenous culture and Australian and international history.
To protect and gain consent/permissions from communities, traditional owners, and elders around Indigenous culture, oral stories, characters, costumes, language and artefacts, etc., shown in film productions and educational material.
To collaborate with Indigenous and contemporary communities where the story's subject content is located and create educational content that protects heritage and creates infrastructure, employment, and business opportunities in the area.