Indigenous Australians are Australia's original occupants and the creative arts – whether storytelling, theater or dance – make up a large part of their cultural identity. Since colonization, they have suffered the full brunt of prejudice, discrimination and extreme misunderstanding (Reconciliation, pp.1). In today's society, many different organizations have protocols and a code of ethics when working with indigenous people. and the Australian film and television industry is one of them. Screen Australia (2012) defines protocols as appropriate ways of communicating and working with others. The protocols that Screen Australia (2012) has produced in many different sections such as: respect for Aboriginal culture, cultural integrity, cultural beliefs and respect for Aboriginal individuals and communities. It would be important to note that protocols are ethical standards and may change over time. It is also important to note that protocols differ from one Indigenous community to another. The All Media Guide (p. 30) writes that there is no one type of Indigenous person or community. Indigenous communities across Australia have their own history, politics, culture and language experience. Screen Australia (2012) recognizes this and continues to assert that there is not just one Aboriginal culture; there are actually many, and that these indigenous cultures place importance on respecting cultural protocols. As an individual looking to enter the Australian film and television industry, it is imperative to know how the industry approaches issues of Indigenous representation, both by itself and others, as well as by their cultural identity and race. In this essay, I will seek to explain why my film protocols...... middle of paper ......r responsibilities when filming indigenous peoples and indigenous communities. Darlene Johnson also urged respect for the different culture and dignity of indigenous participants in a film project, promoting cultural integrity (Oxfam). As someone looking to work in the film and television industry, I would represent Indigenous Australians in a way that not only respects their cultural identity, but alsoHaving been spoken about by others for centuries and with with little or no voice of their own, self-representation is important to indigenous people and communities because it allows them to tell their own stories in their own way, which promotes diversity. With the film industry supporting the use of television channels and radio stations run solely for indigenous communities, this gives them someone to identify with. The protocols applied aim to guarantee