Stephen Johnson

A seasoned traveller by the time he took his first steps, Johnson was born in England but spent his early years in the Bahamas before his family moved to Africa. From Africa, the Johnsons travelled the globe, eventually landing in Australia where they based themselves in the Northern Territory.

Johnson's formative years were spent in Darwin, where his father was a senior teacher at Kormilda College, a secondary school for Aboriginal students. Given his culturally eclectic childhood, he relished the chance to mix with the local Yolngu people and in the process made many life-long friends.

Following a stint in London where he studied acting and trained as a cameraman, he returned to Darwin in 1990, intent on one day making a movie that would encourage people to appreciate the cultural wealth of the Aboriginal race and the untamed beauty of the Northern Territory terrain.

Establishing the Darwin-based production company, Burrundi Pictures, Johnson's cinematic ability and close relationships within the Yolngu community led him to direct most of Yothu Yindi's music clips. He also directed the acclaimed special Tribal Voice, on the life of his good friend, and Yothu Yindi lead singer/songwriter, Mandawuy Yunupingu.

In addition to an extensive portfolio of corporate documentaries, commercials and music videos, Johnson has enjoyed a six-year relationship with the Australian Children's Television Foundation that commenced when he directed documentaries for their series, Lift Off. In recent times he has directed episodes of The Genie From Down Under and Crash Zone for the ACTF. His association with the ACTF ultimately led to the making of YOLNGU BOY.

Filmography

YOLNGU BOY Three boys, two laws, one country ... YOLNGU BOY takes us on a journey with three teenage boys as they leave childhood behind and pursue their individual destinies...