Adrian Russell Wills

"The ABC’s six-part series of urban Indigenous life won acclaim and multiple awards. Its blend of social commentary and character-driven drama was as subtle as it was confronting" The Guardian on REDFERN NOW

Adrian is an AACTA-nominated writer and director; a Wonnarua man originally from Bourke NSW who is committed to explore the outsider, the fringe dweller, the rebel. Adrian comes from a strong line of ancient storytellers who maintained their culture, law and language through song, dance, and remarkable visual art which stands among the oldest in the world.

Adrian’s television writing and directing experience is extensive over a 20 year period; he wrote and directed on RFDS Seasons 1, 2 and 3; was a core writer on THE NEWSREADER (for which he was nominated for a 2023 AACTA Award for Best Screenplay in Television); a core writer on upcoming TOP END BUB for Amazon Studios; and he wrote and directed two episodes of Blackfella Films’ landmark drama series REDFERN NOW for ABC-TV.

His television directing credits include; RUSH; WONDERLAND; THE GODS OF WHEAT STREET; 8MMM ABORIGINAL RADIO; Emmy-nominated READY FOR THIS; WENTWORTH; and THE WARRIORS.

Throughout his career, Adrian has explored the documentary form. His autobiographical documentary for NITV with Gillian Moody of Kalori Productions entitled KINDRED, he received a DGA nomination for Best Direction in a Documentary Feature for his work as well as receiving the MIFF Inaugural First Nations Film Creative Award. Adrian directed the critically acclaimed documentary OUR BUSH WEDDING in 2005; co-wrote and directed WHEN THE NATIVES GET RESTLESS in 2007; BOXING FOR PALM ISLAND in 2010, which was selected to open the Message Sticks Festival that year; 88, looking at the Bicentennial celebrations of the British colonisation of Australia; and most recently, BLACK DIVAZ, which was produced by Kalori Productions / Pursekey Productions. BLACK DIVAZ premiered at Queer Screen as part of the Sydney Mardi Gras 2018 Film Festival and screened on NITV – SBS.

Adrian’s short films include; JACKIE JACKIE, which screened at Melbourne International Film Festival, Flickerfest and at Santa Barbara Film Festival; BOURKE BOY, which was developed through the Screen Australia Indigenous Unit for ABC and was awarded Best Indigenous Film at St Kilda Film Festival in 2010; and DANIEL’S 21ST which opened the 2010 Message Stick Festival at the Sydney Opera House.

Adrian is currently attached to direct his original debut feature film with Bunya Films which is in late stage financing.

Stepping into new territory, Adrian is currently developing his first stage play for Griffith Theatre, titled QUEENIE ONE.

Adrian sees his role as a writer / director purely as an extension of those ancestors before him. His point of distinction is that he explores stories that take an audience beyond what they would naturally seek out, confronting and challenging them to go beyond their own experience.