From madcap adventures to the classic romcom, the universality of joy is a rich playground for filmmakers, and popular with audiences, proving a commercial opportunity for local stories to capture global markets. Projects like Thou Shalt Not Steal, Windcatcher, Top End Wedding, and The Sapphires reflect a growing appetite for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island inspired adventures – celebrating cultural stories through comedy and examining the First Nations experience through a new lens. These First Nations storytellers are embracing Blak joy and comedy, and challenging the expectations for First Nations stories on screen.