Caden Pearson Appointed NITV Commissioning Editor

Bagarrmuguwarra filmmaker Caden Pearson has been named Commissioning Editor at NITV, bolstering the network's push for ambitious First Nations storytelling across scripted and factual programming.

National Indigenous Television (NITV) has appointed Pearson — a writer, director and producer — to the role, reinforcing its commitment to bold First Nations stories.

He joins NITV's award-winning commissioning team and will work across a broad slate of original scripted and unscripted programmes that continue to connect audiences around Australia with First Nations voices and perspectives.

Originally from Far North Queensland, Pearson brings more than a decade of experience across production and broadcast, spanning scripted, documentary and factual work. Passionate about authentic First Nations storytelling and developing pathways for emerging Indigenous creatives, he has developed original scripted projects, contributed to writers' rooms, and worked as a writer, director and producer on both his own productions and those of others.

Most recently, Pearson was director and co-producer of the SBS Food series Taste of the Tropics. His screen credits also include the scripted web series Lakefield, NITV documentary Wawu: Divine Hope, and the scripted feature Storm Bird.

NITV Head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production, and Warlpiri, Warumungu and Arrernte woman Dena Curtis said: "Caden is an incredible addition to the NITV commissioning team. He brings extensive experience across scripted, documentary and factual storytelling, along with a passion for investing in First Nations creatives and creating opportunities for the next generation of storytellers.

"He's dedicated to championing authentic voices and expanding the kinds of stories we see on screen, particularly in genres where First Nations perspectives have been under-represented. I'm excited to see the impact he'll have as NITV continues to deliver bold, distinctive First Nations storytelling."

NITV Commissioning Editor, and Bagarrmuguwarra man Caden Pearson said: "As a filmmaker from Cape York, I’ve been telling stories since I was 16, when I made a short documentary about the prolonged displacement of my Guugu Yimidhirr people from Cape Bedford Mission during the Second World War. That experience showed me the powerful role of filmmaking as an act of cultural custodianship – not only keeping history and community alive but creating space for truth-telling and ensuring First Nations perspectives are seen, heard and remembered.

"It's incredibly meaningful to now be joining NITV, because that's exactly the work it does every day, at scale. As Commissioning Editor, I'm looking forward to working with creatives from across the country and reaching more Australians through First Nations storytelling. I don't just want to see First Nations stories told. I want to see First Nations storytellers flourish. I'm genuinely stoked to be here."

Pearson will work alongside Cieron Cody and Dena Curtis in the commissioning team. Joseph Meldrum departed in May.