Bringing First Nations Stories to Life through Animation
Digital Artworks, Workshops and Collaborations

Digital Artworks, Workshops and Collaborations


Our Creative Director, Josh Yasserie, founder of Catching Fire, brings extensive experience across the arts and screen industries, with a strong focus on animation grounded in First Nations storytelling.
With a unique First Nations perspective and a deep understanding of culturally respectful filmmaking practices, Josh leads projects with authenticity, care, and creative excellence. His approach combines story, design, and cinematic craft to create work that is both visually compelling and culturally meaningful.
Whether collaborating with communities, organisations, or agencies, our goal is simple: to elevate your story and deliver powerful screen content that aligns with your vision and your budget.
We travel wherever the stories need to be told — from inner-city studios to the most remote communities across Australia. Being on Country is at the heart of our process. We approach every project with deep respect, cultural care, and an understanding that story comes from place, people, and lived experience.
We work closely with community storytellers, Elders, and artists, collaborating to honour their voices and translate their stories into powerful visual experiences. Our role is not to take ownership, but to listen, support, and bring stories to life through animation and digital media, ensuring they remain authentic to the people and Country they come from.
Our Digital Art & Animation Workshops are designed to inspire creativity, build confidence, and equip artists of all ages with real industry skills. Whether participants are picking up an iPad for the first time or expanding their creative practice, we guide them through the exciting worlds of digital illustration, animation, and media creation in an engaging, culturally grounded environment.
We’ve proudly delivered workshops in partnership with leading cultural organisations, including the Powerhouse Museum and the Art Gallery of New South Wales, facilitating dynamic school holiday programs and specialised initiatives for Western Sydney First Nations students. Our reach extends to remote communities, working alongside ICTV to deliver digital animation workshops in Bidyadanga, empowering emerging storytellers to bring their stories to life through animation.
Our workshops are flexible and can be tailored to suit your needs, including:
Each workshop combines hands-on learning, industry techniques, and storytelling, giving participants the tools and confidence to create their own digital artworks and animated films.
We don’t just teach software — we empower the next generation of digital storytellers.
At Catching Fire, we are actively developing our own original IP, creating bold and distinctive animated stories grounded in powerful ideas and authentic voices. Alongside our original productions, we are passionate about collaborating with creatives from all backgrounds — artists, writers, filmmakers, and communities — to bring new visions to the screen.
We believe the best work is built through creative exchange and shared storytelling, and we welcome opportunities to co-create projects that push artistic boundaries, celebrate diverse perspectives, and leave a lasting impact.
Josh Yasserie founded Catching Fire Films with a clear vision: to bring powerful stories to life through animation, guided by a strong First Nations perspective. His passion for storytelling and deep respect for culture shape the heart of every project, ensuring each film carries meaning, authenticity, and impact.
Catching Fire brings together a collective of skilled animators, filmmakers, and creative collaborators, united by a shared commitment to craft and story. Together, we work closely with our clients and communities to transform ideas into visually striking, emotionally resonant screen experiences that honour story and elevate vision.
Beyond production, we are deeply committed to education and empowerment. Our digital workshops provide communities with hands-on animation skills and creative tools, inspiring people of all ages to explore storytelling in new ways. By sharing knowledge and creating opportunities, we aim to support the next generation of storytellers and amplify voices that need to be heard.
Because story is more than what we create — it’s who we are.
Filmed and Animated on Gadigal Country, Reg can't go nowhere...
Connecting to the Dreaming, Reg's wakes up to see his ol flame
Just a small taste of the "KingsLand" world
Have a project that would benefit from authentic First Nations storytelling?
Send us an email and let’s start a conversation about how Catching Fire can support your vision through animation, film, and culturally grounded creative collaboration.
Interested in delivering a First Nations–led Digital Workshop for your school, organisation, or community? We’re always excited to share our knowledge, inspire creativity, and empower the next generation of storytellers.
Let’s create something meaningful.
Open today | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm |

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