Francis Jupurrurla Kelly was born at Mt Doreen Station, Northern Territory on Warlpiri land near Yuendumu at a place called Luurnpakurlangu. His parents came from two different Warlpiri tribes. He is a film-maker and a key figure in the development of Warlpiri Media Association, and contributor to the
development of Indigenous media and work in film and television.His contribution to his community contains positions such as a nurse for Northern Territory Health; and he was once a local Council Supervisor until he was further appointed as Community Advisor to the Local Government Minister's Indigenous Commissioner of Lands and Housing.
Francis had also become President for the Yuendumu Local Government Council.
For the past 30 years, his most
outstanding contribution is in the development of Warlpiri Media Association at Yuendumu and Aboriginal media in the remote Northern Territory and across Australia.
His media career began in the 1980s, as a strong advocate for Aboriginal control of media broadcast in remote Communities. As a key board member, Francis was instrumental in establishing the first Aboriginal TV station, Indigenous Community TV (iCTV) in Australia. This development became the cornerstone in the "implementation of the Broadcasting for Remote Aboriginal Communities Scheme" enabling local produced television to be broadcasted in language. This development, led to the establishment of National Indigenous Television (NITV) for which Francis was a founding board member. Still actively involved in the Northern Territory's film industry, Francis is also a member of the Australian Indigenous Communications Association and chair of the PAW Media (Pintubi Anmatjere Warlpiri Media and Communication).
Francis is recognised for his roles in films such as Bush Mechanics and
Aboriginal Rules. He continues to make media in Yuendumu and has won many awards including:
- Troy Albert Award for Best Cinematography
Preston Memorial Award for Life Time Achievement for the Indigenous Remote Communications Association.
- Bob Plasto Screen Award in 2012 for his achievements in the screen industry in Northern Territory.
(Sources: Coniston website: http://coniston.pawmedia.com.au; Francis Jupurrurla Kelly on www.bushmechanics.com; Koori Mail, issue 536 2012:50)