The Tasmanian Government is proudly backing a new two-part documentary series which is raising the age-old question: is our iconic thylacine still alive?
Local filmmaker Tim Noonan’s Hunt for Truth: Tasmanian Tiger investigates recent and historic sightings of the thylacine, enlisting the help of UTAS scientists Professor Barry Brook, Dr Jessie Buettel and Associate Researcher Kenji Sabine.
Mr Noonan interviews many eyewitnesses along the way, the hunt taking him as far south as the wilderness of south-west of Tasmania and as far north as Papua New Guinea.
Minister for the Arts, Madeleine Ogilvie, said the Tasmanian Government was committed to supporting Tasmanian storytelling.
“The thylacine is an animal that is still held dear to many Tasmanians and its story continues to fascinate people all around the world,” Minister Ogilvie said.
“The Tasmanian Government is proud to have supported Hunt for Truth with $40,000 from Screen Tasmania’s Screen Innovation Fund, a great investment into an almost entirely Tasmanian production which created job opportunities for five local post-production crew.
“Our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future includes our recently-announced Island Screen Incentive, which will provide more support for filmmakers, so they can continue to show off Tassie’s spectacular and rugged landscapes to global audiences.”
The existence of the thylacine has been the subject of continuous debate with more than 1200 sightings being reported since its extinction was declared in 1936.
The first episode of Hunt for Truth: Tasmanian Tiger will air on SBS on Wednesday, 12 June at 7:30 pm and will also be available on SBS on Demand, with episode two airing the following week.
