# Dylan River

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{{short description|Australian film director, writer, and cinematographer}}
{{use dmy dates|date=May 2022}} 
{{use Australian English|date=May 2022}} 
{{Infobox person
| name          = Dylan River
| image         = File:Dylan River.jpg
| caption       =
| birth_name    =
| othername     =
| birth_date    = {{Birth year and age|1992}}
| birth_place   = [Alice Springs](/source/Alice_Springs), [Northern Territory](/source/Northern_Territory), Australia
| occupation    = {{csv|Director|writer|[cinematographer](/source/cinematographer)}}
| notable_works = ''Robbie Hood'' (2019); ''[The Beach](/source/The_Beach_(TV_series))'' (2020); ''[Mystery Road: Origin](/source/Mystery_Road_(TV_series))'' (2022); ''[Thou Shalt Not Steal](/source/Thou_Shalt_Not_Steal_(TV_series))'' (2024)
| years_active  = 2013–present
| spouse        =
}}

'''Dylan River''' (born 1992), also credited as '''Dylan River Glynn McDonald''', is an Australian [film director](/source/film_director), writer, and [cinematographer](/source/cinematographer). He co-wrote and directed the series ''Robbie Hood'' in 2019, and is known for his as cinematographer on the 2020 series ''[The Beach](/source/The_Beach_(TV_series))'', documenting his father, [Warwick Thornton](/source/Warwick_Thornton). He also wrote and directed episodes of the prequel TV series ''[Mystery Road: Origin](/source/Mystery_Road_(TV_series))'' (2022), and in 2024 is co-creator and director of ''[Thou Shalt Not Steal](/source/Thou_Shalt_Not_Steal_(TV_series))''.

==Early life and family==
Dylan River was born in 1992<ref name=Variety1>{{Cite web |title=Dylan River’s Toronto Series ‘Thou Shalt Not Steal’ Explores Australia’s Dark History With Humor: ‘If You’re Preaching to the Converted, How Are You Educating?’ (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/dylan-river-toronto-thou-shalt-not-steal-australia-dark-history-1236143083/ |last=Frater |first=Patrick |date=2024-09-13 |website=Variety}}</ref><ref name=Esquire>{{Cite news |title=Dylan River, the auteur from Alice |last=Maher |first=Dani |date=2024-09-23 |url=https://www.esquire.com.au/culture/dylan-river-interview/ |work=Esquire}}</ref> in [Alice Springs](/source/Alice_Springs), [Northern Territory](/source/Northern_Territory). His father, [Warwick Thornton](/source/Warwick_Thornton), is a filmmaker and his mother, Penelope McDonald, is a producer,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/filmmaking-royalty-dylan-river-s-robbie-hood-is-cheeky-joyous-and-full-of-mischief-20190621-p51zzx.html|title=Filmmaking royalty: Dylan River's Robbie Hood is cheeky, joyous and full of mischief|website= [The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald) |access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref> screenwriter, and director.<ref name=aboutan>{{cite web  | title=About | website=Audrey Napanangka | url=https://www.audreynapanangka.film/about | access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref> He is the grandson of [Freda Glynn](/source/Freda_Glynn), the co-founder of [CAAMA](/source/Central_Australian_Aboriginal_Media_Association).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2019/06/18/freda-glynn-biography-wins-documentary-film-year-sff| title=Freda Glynn biography wins documentary film of the year at SFF|website=[SBS](/source/Special_Broadcasting_Service) |access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref>

==Career==
River's work includes writing, direction and cinematography.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/guide/article/2019/11/15/director-dylan-river-turns-desert-race-obsession-new-film|title=Director Dylan River turns Desert Race obsession into new film|website= [SBS](/source/Special_Broadcasting_Service) |access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.canon.com.au/get-inspired/preserving-aboriginal-culture-dylan-river|title=Preserving Aboriginal Culture: Dylan River|website= Canon |access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref>

In 2013, his debut feature documentary, ''Buckskin'', about [Kaurna](/source/Kaurna) educator [Jack Buckskin](/source/Jack_Buckskin), won the [Foxtel](/source/Foxtel) Australian Documentary Prize.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://screenanarchy.com/2013/06/buckskin-wins-sydney-documentary-prize-perception-wins-the-dendys.html|title=Buckskin Wins Sydney 2013 Documentary Prize, Perception Wins the Dendys| website=Screen Anarchy |access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Buckskin | website=[National Film and Sound Archive of Australia](/source/National_Film_and_Sound_Archive_of_Australia) | url=https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/asset/92705-buckskin | access-date=23 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Buckskin | website=Screen Australia | url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/buckskin-2013/31535/ | access-date=23 August 2024}}</ref> It is available on [SBS on Demand](/source/SBS_on_Demand).<ref>{{cite web | title=Buckskin | website=SBS On Demand | date=2 July 2021 | url=https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/buckskin/973060163934 | access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref>

In 2017, River (credited as Dylan River Glynn McDonald) directed a short documentary film about actor and musician [Tom E. Lewis](/source/Tom_E._Lewis), called  ''Finding Maawirrangga''. The film was written by Lewis, produced by Julia Morris, and executive produced by Lewis' wife Fleur Parry. Itnd screened at the 2017 [Sydney Film Festival](/source/Sydney_Film_Festival)<ref>{{cite web | title=Finding Maawirrangga (2017) | website=Screen Australia | url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/finding-maawirrangga-2017/34963/ | access-date=12 March 2025}}</ref> and 2018 [Flickerfest](/source/Flickerfest).<ref>{{cite web | title=Finding Maawirrangga | website=Flickerfest | date=12 March 2025 | url=https://flickerfest.com.au/film/finding-maawirrangga/ | access-date=12 March 2025}}</ref> Not long after Lewis' death in May 2018, the film screened at the inaugural [Northern Territory Travelling Film festival](/source/Northern_Territory_Travelling_Film_festival) in June of that year. The film tells of Lewis' return to his grandmother's country to learn his [songline](/source/songline)s, and in it he also relates how he contravened some cultural norms on stage.<ref name=sebag2018>{{cite web | last=Sebag-Montefiore | first=Clarissa | title=The inflatable screen taking Indigenous film back to the Top End | website=The Guardian | date=9 June 2018 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jun/09/an-inflatable-screen-and-8000km-the-film-festival | access-date=12 March 2025}}</ref>

In 2019, River co-created (with Tanith Glynn-Maloney), co-wrote (with [Kodie Bedford](/source/Kodie_Bedford)), and directed ''[Robbie Hood](/source/Robbie_Hood_(TV_show))'', a six-part series of 10-minute episodes,<ref name= cannes2019/> which was widely praised.<ref>{{cite web |title=TV Review – Robbie Hood: Season 1 |website=TL;DR Movie Reviews and Analysis| first=Brian |last= MacNamara |date=11 July 2019 |url=https://tldrmoviereviews.com/2019/07/11/tv-review-robbie-hood-season-1/ |access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref><ref name=rugendyke2019/><ref name=tvtrobbie>{{cite web |last=Knox |first=David |title=Robbie Hood |website=TV Tonight |date=7 July 2019 |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2019/07/robbie-hood.html |access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref> Pedrea Jackson stars as Robbie, a young teenager with a kind heart, who goes around [Alice Springs](/source/Alice_Springs) with his two friends "borrowing heavily" from the rich to help his family and friends.<ref name=rugendyke2019>{{cite web |last=Rugendyke |first=Louise |title=Robbie Hood is the most perfect piece of TV you'll see this year |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=3 July 2019 |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/robbie-hood-is-the-most-perfect-piece-of-tv-you-ll-see-this-year-20190701-p52316.html |access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref> It had its world premiere at [Canneseries](/source/Canneseries)<ref name= cannes2019>{{cite web |title=Robbie Hood |website=CANNESERIES |url=https://canneseries.com/en/series/robbie-hood-1/ |language=fr |access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref> The series won an [AACTA Award](/source/AACTA_Award) for Best Online Comedy or Drama<ref>{{cite web |title=Robbie Hood |website=Ludo |url=https://ludostudio.com.au/projects/robbie-hood |access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref> and a [Screen Producers Australia Award](/source/Screen_Producers_Australia_Award) for Online Series Production of the Year. The production company, [Ludo Studio](/source/Ludo_Studio), producers of [Bluey](/source/Bluey_(TV_series)), also won another major SPA Award for their business.<ref>{{cite web |title=Screen Producers Awards |website=westendmagazine |date=20 November 2019 |url=https://westendmagazine.com/screen-producers-awards/ |access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Keast |first=Jackie |title=Ludo Studio tops the SPA Awards |website=IF Magazine |date=14 November 2019 |url=https://if.com.au/ludo-studio-tops-the-spa-awards/ |access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref>  All episodes became available on [SBS on Demand](/source/SBS_on_Demand) on 5 July, while the series first aired on [SBS Viceland](/source/SBS_Viceland) on 9 July, and aired on [NITV](/source/NITV) on 11 November 2019.<ref >{{cite web|title=A 13-year-old misfit rights the wrongs in his home town |website= [National Indigenous Times](/source/National_Indigenous_Times)|date=2 April 2020 |url=https://nit.com.au/02-04-2020/551/a-13-year-old-misfit-rights-the-wrongs-in-his-home-town |access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Watch Robbie Hood |website=Stream free on SBS On Demand |date=11 September 2024 |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-series/robbie-hood |access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref>

He directed the 2022 six-part [prequel](/source/prequel) series ''[Mystery Road: Origin](/source/Mystery_Road_(TV_series))'',<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2021/08/mark-coles-smith-to-star-in-mystery-road-origin.html|title=Mark Coles Smith to star in Mystery Road: Origin|website= TV Tonight |access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref> and co-wrote several episodes.<ref>{{cite web | title=Mystery Road: Origin premieres in July. Every mystery starts somewhere | website=ABC |publisher =Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=3 June 2022 | url=https://about.abc.net.au/media-room/mystery-road-origin-premieres-in-july-every-mystery-starts-somewhere/ | access-date=3 July 2022}}</ref><ref >{{cite web | last=Buckmaster | first=Luke | title=Mystery Road: Origin review – Jay Swan is back and as great as ever | website=The Guardian | date=3 July 2022 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/jul/03/mystery-road-origin-review-jay-swan-is-back-and-as-great-as-ever | access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref>

Over some of the 10 years leading up to its release in June 2023, River worked with his mother, Penelope McDonald, as co-writer and cinematographer on the feature-length documentary film ''Audrey Napanangka'', about a [Warlpiri](/source/Warlpiri_people) woman and her partner, Santos, who have raised many children in the [Central Desert](/source/Central_Desert). The film's locations included [Mparntwe](/source/Mparntwe) (Alice Springs), [Yuendumu](/source/Yuendumu), and Mount Theo (Purturlu), Audrey's country, and it was co-produced by [Trisha Morton-Thomas](/source/Trisha_Morton-Thomas) and Rachel Clements.<ref name=aboutan/><ref name=screenausan>{{cite web | title=Audrey Napanangka (2023) - The Screen Guide | website=[Screen Australia](/source/Screen_Australia) | date=16 March 2018 | url=https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/audrey-napanangka-2023/38485/ | access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref> [Rona Glynn-McDonald](/source/Rona_Glynn-McDonald) (founder of not-for-profit [Common Ground](/source/Common_Ground_(Australia))<ref>{{cite web | title=Rona Glynn-McDonald named as finalist in Women's Weekly's “Women of the Future”. | website=Yalari | date=1 April 2020 | url=https://www.yalari.org/news/rona-glynn-mcdonald-named-as-finalist-in-womens-weeklys-women-of-the-future/ | access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Rona Glynn-McDonald | website=Common Ground | date=31 May 2023 | url=https://www.commonground.org.au/contributors/rona-glynn-mcdonald | access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref>) was executive producer of the film.<ref name=screenausan/>

In 2024 River co-created (with [Tanith Glynn-Maloney](/source/Tanith_Glynn-Maloney)) and directed a [Stan Original](/source/Stan_Original) series, ''[Thou Shalt Not Steal](/source/Thou_Shalt_Not_Steal_(TV_series))''. Shot in [South Australia](/source/South_Australia) and the Northern Territory, the road trip [comedy drama](/source/comedy_drama) series stars [Noah Taylor](/source/Noah_Taylor), [Miranda Otto](/source/Miranda_Otto), Will McDonald, and Sherry-Lee Watson. It premiered on 17 October 2024 on [Stan](/source/Stan_(streaming_service)) in Australia.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dare |first=Laura |title=SA's screen scene is popping! Here’s what to watch where. |website=The Post |date=8 October 2024 |url=https://thepostsa.au/in-the-media/2024/10/08/sas-screen-scene-is-popping-heres-what-to-watch-where/ |access-date=10 October 2024}}</ref>

==Filmography==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Year
!Title
! Contribution
! Note
|-
|| 2022
| ''[Mystery Road: Origin](/source/Mystery_Road_(TV_series))''
| Director and writer
| TV series
|-
|| 2020
| ''A Sunburnt Christmas''
| Cinematographer
| Feature film
|-
|| 2020
| ''[The Beach](/source/The_Beach_(TV_series))''
| Cinematographer
| 6 episodes
|-
|| 2019
| ''[Robbie Hood](/source/Robbie_Hood_(TV_show))''
| Director and writer
| 6 episodes
|-
|| 2019
| ''[The Australian Dream](/source/The_Australian_Dream_(2019_film))''
| Cinematographer
| Documentary
|-
|| 2018
| ''Finke: There and Back''
| | Director, writer and cinematographer
| Documentary
|-
|| 2018
| ''Ward One''
| Director and writer
| Short film
|-
|| 2017
| ''[Sweet Country](/source/Sweet_Country_(2017_film))''
| Second unit director
| Feature film
|-
|| 2017
| ''Coat of Arms''
| Director and writer
| Short film
|-
|| 2017
| ''Finding Mawiranga''
| Director and cinematographer
| Documentary
|-
|| 2017
| ''Blasko''
| Cinematographer
| Documentary
|-
|| 2017
| ''We Don't Need a Map''
| Cinematographer
| Documentary
|-
|| 2016
| ''[Black Comedy](/source/Black_Comedy_(TV_series))''
| Writer
| 1 episode
|-
|| 2015
| ''Black Chook''
| Director
| Short film
|-
|| 2015
| ''Nulla Nulla''
| Director, writer and composer
| Short film
|-
|| 2014
| ''Who We Are: Brave New Clan''
| Cinematographer
| Documentary
|-
|| 2014
| ''Talking Language with [Ernie Dingo](/source/Ernie_Dingo)''
| Cinematographer
| Documentary
|-
|| 2013
| ''Buckskin''
| Director and composer
| Documentary
|-
|| 2023
| ''Audrey Napanangka''
| Co-writer, cinematographer
| Documentary
|-
|| 2024
| ''[Thou Shalt Not Steal](/source/Thou_Shalt_Not_Steal_(TV_series))''
| Director
| Comedy series
|-
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Year
!Result
!Award
!Category
!Work
!Ref.
|-
|rowspan="2"|2021
|style="background: #ddffdd"| Won
|rowspan="4"|[AACTA Awards](/source/AACTA_Awards)
|Best Cinematography in a Documentary
|''[The Beach](/source/The_Beach_(TV_series))'': Too Mad Too Shy
|rowspan="2"|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/|title=WINNERS & NOMINEES|website=aacta.org|access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref>
|-
|style="background: #ffdddd"| Nominated
|Best Cinematography in Television
|''A Sunburnt Christmas''
|-
|rowspan="2"|2019
|style="background: #ddffdd"| Won
|Best Online Drama or Comedy
|''[Robbie Hood](/source/Robbie_Hood_(TV_show))''
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aacta.org/aacta-awards/winners-and-nominees/2019-aacta-awards/overview/|title=OVERVIEW|website=aacta.org|access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref>
|-
|style="background: #ffdddd"| Nominated
|Special Commendation
|''Finke: There and Back''
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/the-nightingale-lambs-of-god-2019-australian-academy-awards-1202766813/|title=‘The Nightingale’, ‘Lambs Of God’ Lead 2019 Australian Academy Awards Nominations|website=[Deadline Hollywood](/source/Deadline_Hollywood)|access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref>
|-
|2018
|style="background: #ffdddd"| Nominated
|[Film Critics Circle of Australia](/source/Film_Critics_Circle_of_Australia)
|Best Cinematography
|rowspan="3"|''[Sweet Country](/source/Sweet_Country_(2017_film))''
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fcca.com.au/previous_awards/2018-awards/|title=2018 Awards|website=fcca.com.au|access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|2017
|style="background: #ffdddd"| Nominated
|[Camerimage](/source/Camerimage)
|Main Competition
|rowspan="2"|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://camerimage.pl/en/sklad-konkursu-glownego-camerimage-2017/|title=CAMERIMAGE 2017 MAIN COMPETITION LINE-UP!|website=camerimage.pl|access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref>
|-
|style="background: #ffdddd"| Nominated
|[Asia Pacific Screen Awards](/source/Asia_Pacific_Screen_Awards)
|Achievement in Cinematography
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asiapacificscreenawards.com/apsa-nominees-winners/2017/best-cinematography/warwick-thornton-dylan-river-sweet-country|title=WARWICK THORNTON AND DYLAN RIVER FOR SWEET COUNTRY|website=asiapacificscreenawards.com|access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="2"|2015
|style="background: #ffdddd"| Nominated
|[Berlin International Film Festival](/source/Berlin_International_Film_Festival)
|Best Short Film
|rowspan="2"|''Nulla Nulla''
|
|-
|style="background: #ddffdd"| Won
|AACTA Awards
|Best Short Film
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/aacta-awards-2015-first-round-goes-to-mad-max-fury-road-20151130-glbbvl.html|title=AACTA Awards 2015: first round goes to Mad Max: Fury Road|website=smh.com.au|access-date=2022-05-10}}</ref>
|-
|}

===ARIA Music Awards===
The [ARIA Music Awards](/source/ARIA_Music_Awards) is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of [Australian music](/source/Australian_music). They commenced in 1987. 
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [2019](/source/ARIA_Music_Awards_of_2019)
| Dylan River for [Briggs](/source/Briggs_(rapper)) (featuring [Greg Holden](/source/Greg_Holden)) - "Life Is Incredible"
| [Best Video](/source/ARIA_Award_for_Best_Video)
| {{nom}}
| <ref name="Video">ARIA Award previous winners. {{cite web|url=https://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/award/Best-Video?view=list|title=Winners by Award – Artisan Awards – Best Video |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)|access-date= 12 December 2019 }}</ref> 
|-
{{end}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{Citation | editor=Duthie, Amanda| editor-link=Amanda Duthie| author=Mailman, Deborah (introduction)| author-link=Deborah Mailman | title=Kin : an extraordinary Australian filmmaking family: Including Freda Glynn, Warwick Thornton, Erica Glynn, Dylan River, Tanith Glynn-Maloney| format= catalogue entry|via= [Trove](/source/Trove)| url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/233730842| publication-date=2018 | publisher=Wakefield Press | isbn=978-1-74305-635-6}}
*{{cite web | last=Siemienowicz | first=Rochelle | title=Freda Glynn - from little things, big things grow | website=ScreenHub Australia | date=1 November 2018 | url=https://www.screenhub.com.au/news/news/freda-glynn-from-little-things-big-things-grow-256753-1425770/}} Book review and [https://web.archive.org/web/20181101085502/https://www.artshub.com.au/news-article/features/film/liam-egan/35000-feet-away-the-sound-of-planes-over-alice-springs-256736 extract].

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|6670299|Dylan River}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:River, Dylan}}
Category:Living people
Category:Australian film directors
Category:Australian cinematographers
Category:1992 births
Category:Australian music video directors
Category:People from Alice Springs

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dylan River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dylan_River) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dylan_River?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.