BIO: James Vegter is a creative storyteller, artist and entrepreneur with a diverse skill set, including acting, directing, screenwriting, writing, producing, cinematography, music composition, and photography. His work has been featured on Amazon Prime, Paramount, Netflix, Foxtel, Channel 10, SBS, ABC, and NBC.
A pivotal moment in his career was his acting role in the 2008 film Lovers in China—a project connected to the team behind Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. With over 20 years of international experience in acting, film, advertising, and music, James is dedicated to crafting compelling narratives that challenge societal norms and inspire positive social change.
In 2025, James is actively working across Australia, South America, England, America and India on various film and book projects through RooH Productions, and most recently, as chairman and head of film production for Magic Lands Alliance (not for profit), which produces historical dramas in collaboration with First Nations communities for drama and educational purposes.
The author of two children's books and four more in development, he also paints and records his music, continuing to expand his storytelling across multiple media forms. Beyond his creative pursuits, James is a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights, historical preservation, children's education, and mental health awareness.
MVMNT
June 24, 2025: Laughing Kookaburras of Kyabram. Barry’s Thick Forest Adventures.
Book 2/5: Barry’s Music Adventures:
Proof sent off to Amazon for final look.
This is a tale of adventure, the morning sun, the sounds of birds and wildlife, and music set in the surroundings of Yorta Yorta Country, Kyabram, Victoria, Australia.
February 2025: New Headshots with the beard by Alex Vaughan
June 1, 2025: Magic Lands Alliance's new website www.magiclandsalliance.org
Sharing the truth of Indigenous and colonial history through film, education and community.
MLA is a not-for-profit organisation uniting storytellers, First Nations voices, and educators to revive Indigenous and colonial histories through period dramas and educational resources. Committed to truth-telling and cultural preservation, we produce films and educational material that foster social awareness and restore connection to land, culture, and community.
March 27, 2025: Frank - Episode 6
It ahe Last Anniversary TV series is out today worldwide on @binge and @foxtel and Sunday in America on AMC+!
Watch out for Frank’s little cameo toward the end, alongside the generous and open Teresa Palmer @teresapalmer
It was a lot of fun and an honour to work with — and meet — some incredibly talented artists in action. Special thanks for your guidance, Suzi Prior @humantheramin
The series is based on Liane Moriarty’s best-selling novel, adapted by Samantha Strauss, and executive produced by Bruna Papandrea and #NicoleKidman.
Director #JohnPolson was a legend — he made me feel comfortable and relaxed on set. Support Australian film content! 💚❤️
December 5, 2024: Dogs of Bondi: Barry’s Beach Adventure
Book 1/5: Barry’s Music Adventures:
After making some final adjustments in collaboration with my son, my first children’s book is published and LIVE on Amazon! “Dogs of Bondi: Barry’s Beach Adventure” 🐾 is a tale of adventure, new friendships, and music, all set against the backdrop of Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia. 🌊🎶 Available now in Paperback and eBook on Kindle Direct. 📖🖥️ Perfect gift for children aged 0–7 who can read, and for parents to read to their children too. 🎧 Audiobook coming in 2025! Stay tuned for my next release: “Kookaburras of Kyabram: Barry Goes on a Bush Tour.” - coming soon!
👉 Click the link in bio to grab your copy if you wish! https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DCB79L84
November 5, 2024: Experimenting with Chakra healing Paintings
November 2023: Garra's Chance (Short Film)
Garra's Chance is a short film treatment for "Purra and Buckley's Chance," an instalment in our upcoming limited series "Magic Lands." Set in 1852 Victoria, on Wadawurrung Land, the film follows Garra (15), the long-lost daughter of Wadawurrung resistance fighter and musician Purranmurnin Tullawurnin and British Convict William Buckley. Garra is on the run from gun-slinging colonists and hiding out in the Anakie mountains. Robert Von Steiglitz, who arrived in 1835 with his brothers and whose family occupies over 200,000 acres of stolen indigenous land, stumbles upon Garra at a cave shelter while out hunting. As Garra struggles to evade capture, she must rely on the ancestor's spirit to survive another day. The short film was shot on Wadawurrung Land over a single day with the support and collaboration from the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative, Boon Wurrung Sea and Land Council, Steiglitz community members, Mount Rothwell Conservation and Reserve, and Golden Plains Shire Council. The Magic Lands producers acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians throughout Victoria, Australia and internationally in recognition of their continuing connection to land, waters, and culture. In re-creating truthful historical content, we respect the First Peoples’ language groups, Indigenous communities, and Elders, past, present and emerging across Victoria, Australia and international waters. Written and Directed by James Vegter
January 2024: Invitation Au Voyage story on Convict William Buckley,
A history episode on a French Television Show, Invitation Au Voyage in Australia, on William Buckey's story, who lived with the Wadawurrung People for 32 years in the 1800s.
November 2023: Torres (Short Film)
Torres is short film concept for a feature film in development. A brief history below: How did the Torres Strait Islands get its name? On a recent trip, the Magic Lands team found out and we also discovered a mystery about how Australia got its name. We dive back to 1605, three Spanish ships leave from Peru on the 21st of December on an expedition across the Pacific to discover the “Great Southern Land.” Pedro Fernandes de Queirós was a Portuguese navigator who commanded the three ships, San Pedro y San Pablo (60 tons), San Pedrico (40 tons) and Los Tres Reyes Magos. Luis Vaz de Torres (Torres Strait Islands) was in command of the San Pedrico. In May 1606, Torres and Queiros reached a group of islands later known as the New Hebrides and Vanuatu. Quieros named the group La Australia del Espiritu Santo (Australia of the Holy Spirit.) The word Australia was intended to compliment Phillip 3rd of Spain, a Hapsburg sovereign and member of the House of Habsburg, Austria, to which the Spanish royal family belonged. The word chosen says Quieros was from his majesty title of Austria. On the 11th of June 1606, Queiros became separated from two other ships of his fleet in bad weather and then sailed to Acapulco, Mexico arriving in November 1606. Torres believes whoever was in charge of the San Pedro y San Pablo departed intentionally, saying, “we couldn't find them, for they did not sail on the proper course, nor with good intention.” Rather than abandon the voyage, and steer back to Callao, Torres resolved that he would not return until he had achieved some amount of exploration. In July 1606, Torres, unable to make the north coast of Guinea due to winds, turned east to follow the south coast of Guinea. For two months, Torres threaded his way through the reefs and Islands of what is now known as Torres Strait Islands. He sighted the hills of Cape York (which he took for a cluster of islands). Torres crew captured six boys and six girls from Papua New Guinea and three Torres Strait girls from one of the central islands. He took the kidnapped victims to Manila, Philippines, to be baptised, and they were put on a show. After this, what happened to the twelve Mailuans and three Kulkalaig remains unknown.