Sustainable Dreaming - Who

Nikki Michail

Creative Producer / Filmmaker / Photographer / Event Manager

Nikki Michail is a photographer, filmmaker and creative producer who has directed and produced a variety of film and media projects, festivals, events, cultural exchanges, tours, photographic and printed works. A natural pollinator and keen multi-tasker, Nikki’s work reflects her ability to connect people, places and projects, with a strong focus on the wellbeing of country, communities and First Nations’ cultures, music and art.

With a Bachelor of Film & Television Production from the Queensland College of Art (Griffith University), she has undertaken a wide range of media projects, travelling nationally and internationally to do so. She also delivers media training and event mentoring. Nikki manages young Torres Strait Islander musician Chris Tamwoy, Avaiki Musicians ‘KMK Kaumaakonga’ from the Solomon islands, and programs and manages various festivals and events. She is also a booking agent and Australian tour rep for American Indie musician Beth Preston.

Her documentary, film and music video works have been broadcast on NITV, SBS, ABC, Channel 10 and other free-to-air and pay-TV stations. She directed Xavier Rudd’s ‘Follow the Sun’ music video, which went viral online with over 20 million views worldwide and has received repeated airplay nationally and abroad.

Nikki’s photographic works have been published in various newspapers, magazines and online. She lives and works with a deeply ingrained understanding that regardless of our background, social status, age or race - we are all custodians to the Earth. She helped establish Sustainable Dreaming with aspirations for people to understand and realise their connections and shared responsibility to where they call home. The focus of this organization is to merge modern innovations and ancient wisdoms; to utilize the arts, to creatively sustain cultural practices and care for country.

Her values lie in conservation, artistic exploration, education and empowerment. Engagement with youth is especially important, as is consultation with Elders for successful projects. She has worked and lived with Indigenous peoples from Tasmania to Arnhem Land, and largely throughout QLD including Cape York, Hervey Bay, K'gari Fraser Island, Sunshine Coast, Woorabinda, and Minjerribah, Stradbroke Island, Australia – where she permanently resides.

Nik continues to develop artistic relationships in the USA, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Aotearoa New Zealand, Hawaii, and throughout the Pacific, with a focus on film, photography, language, dance, cultural heritage, cultural tourism, arts and media training.

She hopes to continue working on projects that explore and support these amazing cultures, threatened landscapes, languages, and the aspirations of First Nations people; alongside a growing team of Sustainable Dreamers that also share this focus through their individual arts and cultural practices.

Instagram @nikkimichail