Nyawa Pictures
"Nyawa": Wongutha, meaning: To Watch, To See, To Look
Nyawa Pictures is a proudly 100% First Nations-owned production company founded by SA raised Wongutha man Travis Akbar committed to crafting authentic and impactful film, television, and documentary content for global audiences. Based on Peramangk and Kaurna Country in South Australia, we are dedicated to storytelling that resonates deeply, reflects cultural strength, and speaks to diverse audiences around the world.
At Nyawa Pictures, we value integrity, creativity, and the power of stories to inspire change and connection. We focus on producing bold and original works across screen formats, collaborating with artists, communities, and partners who share our commitment to representation and excellence.
Travis Akbar
Travis Akbar is a Wongutha filmmaker based on Peramangk Country in the Adelaide Hills.
He is an award-winning filmmaker and works as a writer, director, and producer. He explores themes of identity, truth, and resilience, often centering First Nations voices.
In 2024 Travis won Best Emerging First Nations Practitioner at the SASA Awards. His film Tambo (2024) was selected for 14 festivals and won several awards and honourable mentions.
He directed First Nations rapper Eskatology's music video I'm Sorry (2024) also earned festival success, taking home a craft award.
In 2024 he was also selected for the prestigious Adelaide Film Festival Goes to Cannes, attending the Cannes Film Festival as part of an Australian delegation.
As a writer, Travis has optioned or sold several screenplays, including The Holy Lance which was sold to a US based Producer. He has also completed several projects 'on assignment'.
His projects in development have attracted respected collaborators such as Stuart Beattie (Collateral, Pirates of the Caribbean), Pat Verducci (The 13th Warrior), and Steph Lady (Kenneth Brannagh's Frankenstein).
Travis has been selected for some of the most competitive Australian talent programs, including AFTRS Talent Camp, AiF Untapped, SAFC Film Lab 2, and Netflix & SPA's Broad Horizons and has further developed his craft through workshops with Matchbox Pictures, Hoodlum Entertainment, and SAFC.
In 2025, Travis is directing and producing the short film False Narrative from a script he also wrote, and is producing Digital Abyss, and progressing multiple feature projects in funded development.