Ruby Award winner Lilla Berry is proving that art is more than creativity – it’s a tool for connection, empowerment, and cultural storytelling.
“Art helps young people explore who they are and their place in the world,” says Lilla Berry, the 2024 Frank Ford Memorial Young Achiever Award at the Ruby Awards. “I’ve seen it open doors, spark curiosity, and create lifelong connections.”
As a Yankunytjatjara multi-disciplinary artist, filmmaker, producer, and mentor, she is amplifying First Nations voices and inspiring the next generation of creatives. The 31-year-old’s work reflects the interconnected nature of storytelling within First Nations culture.
A creative journey rooted in culture
“Art has always been part of our culture,” Lilla says. “Even if the expression evolves, it’s vital in connecting back to who we’ve always been. Whether it’s through dance, film, or visual arts, it’s about finding the best medium for the story that needs to be told.”
Growing up on Kaurna country in Adelaide, Lilla was immersed in the arts. But it wasn’t until her teenage years, participating in programs like Kurruru Youth Arts, that she realised a creative career was possible.
“Performing at Adelaide Fringe shows and productions was transformative,” she says. “Seeing myself reflected on stage through Black arts was pivotal.”
Her early passion for dance led her to co-found Of Desert and Sea Dance, an Aboriginal cultural contemporary dance collective. “For us, contemporary dance is a way to practise ceremony today and remain connected to culture,” she says.
From dance to the big screen
While dance was her first love, Lilla’s storytelling has evolved to include other media, including filmmaking. Her arts administration training at Carclew set the foundation for her role as a producer.
“When my sister Pearl and I saw the [South Australian Film Corporation’s (SAFC)] callout for the Deadly Family Portraits initiative, we thought, ‘Why not?’”
SAFC’s Deadly Family Portraits was a short documentary initiative to celebrate and showcase the depth of artistic talent among Aboriginal families and emerging Aboriginal filmmakers.
The result was Sansbury Sisters, a short ABC documentary profiling two First Nations dancers, Taree and Caleena Sansbury. It earned a nomination for Best Documentary at the 2021 South Australian Screen Awards.
Since then, she has co-produced Black Empire, an SBS and NITV documentary exploring the struggles of First Nations rapper Jimblah against racism in the music industry.
This project marked the beginning of Lilla’s production company Dinosaur Disco Films, which she runs with Pearl, Piri Eddy and Johanis Lyons-Reid
“Black Empire was such a fun project,” Lilla says. “I love music, so working on a music doco was awesome. The team and artists were incredibly generous and talented.”
And the future looks bright for Dinosaur Disco Films: The team currently has two projects in pre-production and the script for its first feature film – a horror flick called The Debt – being honed through the SAFC’s Film Lab: New Voices development program.
Empowering the next generation
Today, Lilla continues to juggle these projects with her role as Manager of First Nations Programs at Carclew, Australia’s largest multi-artform cultural institution dedicated to children and young people.
Here, her mission is to empower young First Nations artists across South Australia.
From dance and music workshops in remote communities to professional development programs like Emerging First Nations Creatives, she’s creating opportunities for young people to connect with their culture and express their identities.
“For First Nations kids, art is vital. It opens up curiosity about lineage and history.
“Arts can do so much, whether it’s building proper relationships with others, finding your community, or exploring your identity. It’s a vital tool to help young people think about who they are and their place in the world.”
These connections extend beyond Adelaide. Carclew partners with local organisations to ensure children in remote areas have access to arts education.
“Our responsibility is to all children and young people in the state. It’s about ensuring everyone has opportunities, not just those in the city.”
Challenging stereotypes through art
For Lilla, art is more than a career – it’s a lifeline and a way to challenge stereotypes about First Nations culture.
“People often have narrow ideas of what Aboriginal art should look like,” she says. “But culture evolves. Whether it’s hip-hop, contemporary dance, or film, it’s all valid. It’s all culture.”
This belief drives her work, both at Carclew and in her personal creative projects. She sees art as a way to reconnect with stories and histories while pushing boundaries in how First Nations culture is perceived.
Ruby award recognition
Winning the 2024 Frank Ford Memorial Young Achiever Award at the Ruby Awards was a proud moment for Lilla.
“It’s pretty incredible to have that level of recognition – not just for my artistry, but for creating opportunities for others as well,” she says.
Her advice for young artists starting out?
“Keep coming back to why you do what you do. It’ll be challenging, but it’ll be worth it. And remember, you’re not alone. There are people and organisations out there who want to help you succeed.”
What are The Ruby Awards?
Named after late arts patron Dame Ruby Litchfield, the annual Ruby Awards are awarded across 11 categories at South Australia’s biggest arts and culture award ceremony each year.
The awards recognise artistic excellence, creative achievement, innovation, community involvement and inspirational leadership in SA’s incredibly diverse arts and culture sector.
The Frank Ford Memorial Young Achiever Award recognises outstanding artistic or cultural achievement or contribution by an individual young South Australian. Nominees must be aged 30 years or under by 30 June of the year of the awards.
Want more Ruby Award inspo? Read Adelaide drum dynamo Alexander Flood’s hot tips for emerging SA artists
