Whadjuk and Bibbulman filmmaker Thibul Nettle wants his new psychological thriller 'The Shadows of Trust' to show Indigenous-led stories can succeed across genres and reach mainstream audiences.

The official trailer and character posters have been released ahead of the film's planned theatrical rollout through Wirra Distribution, an Indigenous-owned company founded by Wongutha filmmaker Travis Akbar.

Written and directed by Mr Nettle, the film follows Phoebe and Alex Clarke, played by Sarah Jeavons and Mr Nettle, after they move into an isolated country home.

Their relationship begins to unravel as disturbing events expose buried secrets and a mysterious new friend threatens to reveal a devastating truth.

Georgia Williams and Trung Le also star in the Firestick Films production.

Mr Nettle told National Indigenous Times parts of the story were drawn from his experiences of relationships, although they had been reshaped into a psychological thriller.

"The relationship elements, the manipulation and the dilemmas you have around love, loyalty and respect generally stem from truth," Mr Nettle said.

"There are elements in the film that are true, but I disguise them through different aspects of the story."

The production built on the momentum of his previous feature 'Spithood', which was also made on a limited budget.

Funding for 'The Shadows of Trust' came through crowdfunding, private investment and Mr Nettle's own contribution.

He said investing in his projects showed potential supporters that he was committed to bringing them to the screen.

Mr Nettle also cast himself as Alex to demonstrate a wider acting range through a more emotional role.

Sarah Jeavons plays Phoebe, while Ms Williams joined the project after previously appearing in Spithood.

The production was developed around available locations, a small cast and a budget Mr Nettle believed could realistically support the script.

"When you watch 'The Shadows of Trust', you're going to see how strong the acting is and how well the film is shot," he said.

"You have to remember we never had the budget other production companies are fortunate to have.

"I've learned that instead of writing a script and then trying to find the budget, you write the script for that particular budget."

Wirra Distribution acquired the film's Australia and Aotearoa / New Zealand distribution rights as part of its growing slate of First Nations-led and independent productions.

Mr Nettle said working with Mr Akbar had connected him with another filmmaker who shared his ambitions for Indigenous-controlled production and distribution.

"Travis is deadly, and his vision is as big as mine," Mr Nettle said.

"He's taken a step that no other Blackfellas are taking by starting a distribution company.

"It gives First Nations people from around the world an opportunity to show their films in Australia through Wirra Distribution."

Mr Nettle has worked across acting, writing, directing and producing, with screen credits including 'Firebite', 'Spithood' and 'Fate of the Night'.

He undertook a director's attachment on Warwick Thornton and Brendan Fletcher's television series 'Firebite', supported through the South Australian Film Corporation's First Nations Screen Strategy.

IMDb lists two wins and two nominations for Mr Nettle, including recognition for his screenplay 'Friendship Love' and 'Loyalty' and a lead performance in 'The Getaway'.

Mr Nettle said opportunities for First Nations screen practitioners had improved, but development programs were not consistently leading to funded productions.

"I feel like they're developing mob and giving us enough skills, but then there's no next step," he said.

"They need to start green-lighting actual productions.

"Short films are great for getting noticed and going onto the festival circuit, but it's feature films and television series that put people in positions of power."

He believes Indigenous filmmakers should not be restricted to projects centred only on culture or identity.

Mr Nettle plans to move from the slasher genre of 'Spithood' and the psychological suspense of 'The Shadows of Trust' into romance for his next film.

"I don't want to get boxed in, because our people in this industry are always boxed in," he said.

"We've got no limitations if we're given the opportunity to show what we can do."

Mr Nettle said 'The Shadows of Trust' was designed to encourage discussion about relationships and different understandings of love, loyalty and respect.

"It represents where the next phase of Blackfella films should be and where our films should sit in the mainstream," he said.

"It will bring up debate about everything from old-school love to a new generation's view of love."

Wirra Distribution has recently engaged cinemas to schedule a release for October 8, 2026.