Jack Steele
Founder & Executive Producer
Jack Steele is a Wiradjuri filmmaker and the founder of Black Feather Studios, a multidisciplinary production company shaping the future of film, television, and games in Australia.
Jack’s career began with his acclaimed short film Between Two Lines, a moving wartime story that marked his first collaboration with cinematographer Warwick Thornton and signaled the arrival of a bold new storyteller. Since then, Jack has continued to craft stories that bridge cultures and challenge conventions, from the powerful documentary series UNHEARD for LADbible and Prime Video, amplifying First Nations and marginalised voices, to the Emmy Award-winning series Built to Survive, which celebrates resilience and connection to Country through Indigenous science and storytelling.
Mentored
by Greats, Mentored by some of the great auteurs of our time, Taika Waititi & Warwick Thornton, Jack has developed a cinematic style that blends humour, heart, and humanity, infusing his projects with both emotional depth and global appeal. He is recognised as one of the most exciting and original voices in Australia’s new wave of storytellers, building worlds that honour culture while pushing creative boundaries across screen and interactive media.
At Black Feather Studios, Jack continues to lead a new generation of storytellers, celebrating where stories come from and imagining where they can go.
The Beginning of
Everything
Early days - 2007Cinema Projectionist
(15 years old)At the time, Jack was one of the youngest cinema projectionist in the country. Mentored by the manager Ross Menzies, Jack’s love of cinema was born and a rising new talent emerged.
Metro Screen Film School
The Leap to SydneyDesperate to learn how to make movies, not just watch them, Jack secured a scholarship to Metro Screen’s short 6 month film course in Paddington, Sydney. With no money and no plan he jumped on a bus from Orange and took the 4 hour journey to Sydney where he learned the ins and outs of the industry. Mentored by the late great Samantha Rebillet.
From camera assistant to operator
Learning the CraftFor the next decade Jack worked as a camera assistant, a focus puller, a film loader, and eventually a camera operator, directing and producing was always the goal but he knew he needed to learn more before he could step into the captain’s chair.
2018The First FilmBetween Two Lines
In 2018 Jack sat down and wrote his first short film, a story of two soldiers stuck in no man's land. The film was ambitious, and to many, impossible to make for a first time director. Jack’s determination and grit caught the attention of Screen Australia who agreed to develop it under the special initiative “short blacks” - a First Nations funding initiative for emerging Indigenous voices. The film was a huge success and had its premiere opening night of Sydney Film Festival in 2019. It went on to have its International Premiere at ImagineNative in Toronto a year later, being praised for its unique story and incredible production value. It was the start of the collaboration of Warwick Thornton and Jack Steele. Watch the film here.
The First TV GigDrunk History
Jack was invited to write and direct 2 episodes of Drunk History Australia, bringing his unique storytelling flair to the cult comedy format. Known for his sharp wit and eye for visual detail, Jack injected the episode with a distinctive mix of humour and cinematic style. The experience deepened his love of working with actors and strengthened his command of tone and pacing in comedy. It was his first experience with television and one that helped him understand the unique and fast paced nature of television storytelling. Available now on Paramount.
2021A Voice for ChangeUNHEARD
In 2021, Jack wrote, produced, directed and edited two episodes of UNHEARD, a powerful documentary series for LADbible and Prime Video. The series tackled Australia’s most pressing issues around race, injustice, and inequality, amplifying the voices of those too often left out of the conversation. Jack’s episodes were praised for their authenticity, gut wrenching truth, and empathy, blending intimate storytelling with bold honesty. Watch the series here.
coming homeFirekeepers: Flames of renewal
Jack travels back home to make a short 15-minute documentary Firekeepers: Flames of Renewal, which follows his community, a team of Aboriginal fire practitioners, relearning cultural burning practices on Wiradjuri Country. The film explores the deep connection between fire, land, and identity, reigniting conversation about Indigenous-led environmental management. With its evocative imagery and emotional storytelling, Firekeepers became a passion project that embodied Jack’s purpose as a filmmaker: to honour culture while inspiring change. It was developed in collaboration with Screen Australia, Screen NSW, and Paramount / Network 10 - Jack’s 2nd engagement with a studio network.
Series available now on 10play and Paramount+. Click here to watch now
2026A Studio Takes FlightOut of years of experience and a growing body of acclaimed work, Black Feather Studios was born. The studio stands as a new creative powerhouse producing film, television, and games for global audiences. Black Feather champions fresh voices, original ideas, and a fearless approach to storytelling. It represents the next chapter in Jack’s journey — a place where culture, creativity, and innovation come together.
At Black Feather, we honour where stories come from and imagine where they can go.
Black Feather Studios
