Josh Sambono
Josh is a talented writer and director with a strong cultural identity as a Jingili man. He has gained international recognition for his work, winning numerous awards for his short films. Josh is known for his expertise in the action and horror genres, and his ability to create compelling and thought-provoking stories. Through his work, Josh is committed to breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes.
“For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a writer and make movies. As a little kid we had no money, so i started doing the next best thing, I started writing my own movies spending hours setting up my toys to act the scenes out.”
Josh is a talented writer and director with a strong cultural identity as a Jingili man. He has gained international recognition for his work, winning numerous awards for his short films.
Based in Western Sydney, Josh is known for his expertise in the action and horror genres, and his ability to create compelling and thought-provoking stories. His work often explores themes of identity, culture, and social justice, and he is a passionate advocate for Indigenous representation in the film industry. Through his work, Josh is committed to breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes.
Josh has worked in writers rooms with See-Saw Films, Bunya Productions, and Blackfella Films to name a few. His TV writing debut came in 2021 on AMC+ vampire hunter series ‘Firebite’. His First Nations horror short ‘Suspect’ premiered at BIFAN 2020, and won Best Australian Short at Sydney’s A Night of Horror.
A highlight in Josh’s career so far has been his director's attachment with Taika Waititi on the set of Thor: Love and Thunder. However, he admits that initially, he felt intimidated and experienced imposter syndrome. But when he stepped onto the Volume that all changed - “I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I could see my vision of telling Blak stories with Blak characters fighting monsters, aliens and generally kicking ass, now becoming a reality – and that’s freakin amazing!”
“Now as I stand behind that camera on set directing I still get that same thrill. I love the way movies and stories can open up portals and take you away to another world.”
Credits
NO OFFENCE! (2022)
Jibber Jabber / ABC iVIEW
Producer: Rami Fischler
DIRECTOR
WRITER
EP 9 NCIS: SYDNEY (2025)
Paramount / Endemol Shine Australia
Director: Kriv Stenders
EP 2 SALTWATER WARRIORS (2024)
Fremantle Australia
Creator: Aaron Fa’aoso
VOID OF RETRIBUTION (2024)
Bright Llama Productions
Short Film
BIG COUNTRY (2023)
SBS / Lone Star Productions
Creator: Aaron Fa’aoso
EP 2 PREPPERS - SEASON 2
AMC / See-Saw Films
Creator: Nakkiah Lui
EP 7 FIREBITE (2021)
AMC / See-Saw Films
Creator: Warwick Thornton
THE QUARANTINE HAUNTINGS (2015)
Feature Film
Directors: Bianca Biasi & Arnold Perez
THE SHOOT OUT (2024)
Short FIlm
DROP BEARS (2021)
Feature Film in Development
TERROR ZONE (2020)
Proof of Concept
SUSPECT (2020)
Short Film
KFZ (2019)
Short Film
LEROY’S DREAM (2016)
Short Film
DIRECTORS ATTACHMENTS
NCIS: SYDNEY (2023)
Director: Kriv Stenders
NCIS: SYDNEY (2023)
Director: Catherine Millar
THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER (2021)
Director: Taika Waititi
WRITERS ASSISTANT / SCRIPT DEPT.
NCIS: SYDNEY (2022-2023)
Emerging Writers Program
Paramount / Endemol Shine Australia
BACK TO THE RAFTERS (2020)
Amazon Prime / Channel 7 Studios
WRITER’S ROOMS
THAW - SBS / WBMC
THE NORMALS - Stan / We Made A Thing
FERRALS - Miles Ahead Productions
