Debut film and television credit and debut theatrical feature film of indigenous Australian Aboriginal actresses Deborah Mailman and Trisha Morton-Thomas.
The film's producer Ned Lander commented on the film's production: "We decided from the outset that we were interested in projects which were very distinctive and profoundly Australian, but with universal themes. We thought 'Radiance' was ideal for our first project. It's a terrific drama. The central issues of the film concern sibling rivalry and the relationship between three different sisters. There's the martyr, the diva
and the party girl. I think that in one way or another there are those characters in every family."
The film was financed by the Australian Film Commission (AFC), SBS Independent (SBSI), the NSW Film and Television Office (NSWFTO), the Premium Movie Partnership (PMP) as well as private investors. The PMP, SBSI and the AFC came on board early. Funding from the NSWFTO and private investors came a little later, with Beyond Films signing on as international distributor, and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment appointed Australasian distributor.
Producer Andrew Myer commented on the production: "We had already been talking to Louis [Nowra] about a number of other possible
projects. [Director] Rachel [Perkins] brought this one to our attention and it seemed the perfect vehicle for our first production. We then began the process of financing, scripting and casting - all at the same time! We devoted a great deal of time and energy to it and fortunately it all fell into place very quickly."
The first performance of the film's source ''Radiance'' stage play by Louis Nowra was performed at the Belvoir Street Theatre in Surry Hills, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 21st September 1993.