The First Nations Impact Lab is a five-day immersive learning experience for documentary and screen-based changemakers using storytelling as a tool for cultural, environmental, and social change. Now in its third year, the Lab builds capacity by uplifting practitioners who may not self-identify as Impact Producers, yet are driving systems change and strengthening community through storytelling, education, cultural leadership or organising.

Across five days, from 4 to 8 November, eight participants will gather on Wodi Wodi Country in Kangaroo Valley for a rare opportunity to connect with leading practitioners from across the globe to learn strategies for activating community-determined solutions, influencing policy, protecting Country, and prioritising the voices and needs of First Peoples.

Led by Worimi Director and GARUWA Co-founder, Genevieve Grieves together with Bundjalung Producer, Laurrie Mansfield, the First Nations Impact Lab supports a growing ecosystem of Indigenous creatives and is embedded with cultural values, prioritising deep listening, collective wisdom and the needs of Country. Throughout the Lab participants will be mentored by renowned Impact Field Builder, Hollie Fifer (she/her), Director of Special Projects, Doc Society and Impact Producer Alex Kelly (she/her), founding member of the Unquiet Collective and Director of the Economic Media Centre, Australian Progress.

We invite filmmakers, changemakers and creatives, who may not self-identify as Impact Producers, yet are driving systems change and strengthening community through storytelling, education, cultural leadership or organising, to apply.

Applications close on Friday 5 September 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.

FACILITATORS & MENTORS

  • Genevieve Grieves

    Co-founder and Creative Director
    GARUWA

  • Laurrie Mansfield

    Producer
    GARUWA

  • Hollie Fifer

    Director of Special Projects
    Doc Society

  • Headshot of Alex Kelly

    Alex Kelly

    Director of the Economic Media Centre
    Australian Progress

GARUWA

GARUWA is a First Nations-owned and led impact-driven production company that believes in the power of storytelling. Founded by Worimi siblings Genevieve Grieves and Kieran Satour, First Nations knowledges and culture are central to GARUWA’s ways of being. Grounded in collaborative and holistic approaches we work ethically, respectfully and innovatively to amplify community voices, support the next generation of storytellers and create a better future for generations to come.

DOC SOCIETY

Doc Society is a global non-profit working with the boldest and most impactful filmmakers all over the world. Doc Society is committed to backing the independence and impact of storytelling by providing grants, filmmaker support and building a more justice-centred, impactful media ecosystem. Beyond the right to self-expression, Doc Society are focused on the right of all citizens to access media in the public interest — and building the global ecosystem that makes that possible. Doc Society’s activity is centred around two priorities the Climate Story Unit and the Democracy Story Unit as well as our field networks such as the Global Impact Producers Alliance and the DISCO network and our open source resources Impact Field Guide and Safe+Secure.

SHARK ISLAND KANGAROO VALLEY

Shark Island Kangaroo Valley is a creative arts hub in the bush, where films, stories, theatre, music and art are made. We support the development of new work and host, by invitation, artistic residencies for actors, artists, filmmakers, musicians and writers. We also produce a year-round program of performing and visual arts through The ArtsLab program, at the Upper Kangaroo River Community Hall and The Old Store.

ELIGIBILITY

WHO
The Lab is designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from across the continent, regardless of experience level. It is designed to reflect the diversity of First Nations experiences, across geographies, genders, ages and lived realities, and we encourage all blak storytellers to apply. If you have any questions about your eligibility please contact GARUWA: impact@garuwa.com

PROJECTS
If you are an artist, activist, campaigner or filmmaker actively working on a film, audio, digital, or multimedia project designed to highlight an issue or story that can create change and build power, this Lab is for you. It may be the seed of an idea or an established project. You may be responding to an issue that affects your community, carrying a story that’s been entrusted to you, or ready to take a nearly finished storytelling project out into the world with purpose.

WHEN
The Lab will take place from Tuesday 4 November to Saturday 8 November 2025. If you are travelling from interstate, we may organise for you to arrive in Gadigal/Sydney on Monday 3 November, please allow for extra travel.

COSTS
There are no fees to apply or participate in the Lab. All expenses including accommodation, food and travel are supported by our program partners.

We are committed to supporting caring costs, child care or other arrangements that will make it easier for you to attend the Lab if selected. Please advise us of your needs in your application and we will do our best to accommodate them.

Please note, you may need to take time off work to attend the Lab.

LOCATION
The retreat space at Shark Island Kangaroo Valley is a private residence in Kangaroo Valley on Wodi Wodi Country. It is generously shared with artists and storytellers for the development of creative projects and powerful ideas. Please note the accommodation consists of shared bathrooms and bedrooms with private sleeping quarters and change rooms. The property is not wheelchair accessible.

FAQ
For more details about eligibility, what to expect, and how to apply, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) section.

2024 COHORT

  • Kellie Baxter

    Kellie Baxter

    Gamilaraay/Wiradjuri

  • Kimberley Benjamin

    Yawuru, Bardi, Kija

  • Kerri Lee Clarke

    Boon Wurrung, Wemba Wemba

  • George Coles

    Wonnarua/Gringai

  • David Cook

    Badtjala

  • Amethyst Downing

    Wandi Wandian

  • Kimberley Marden

    Kokatha

  • Tace Stevens

    Noongar and Spinifex

2023 COHORT

  • Thara Brown

    Yorta Yorta

  • Kaitlyn Buaneye

    Nyikina

  • Shari Hutchison

    Nyikina

  • Laniyuk

    Larrakia, Kungarakan and Gurindji

  • Yale MacGillivray

    Kalkatungu

  • Dylan Nicholls

    Yuwaalaraay

  • Stacie Piper

    Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai Illum Wurrung

  • Jai Wright

    Jinibara, Mununjali, Wanggerriburra

The First Nations Impact Lab brings together filmmakers, changemakers and creatives from across Australia.
If you’re using story to heal, protect, teach, organise or empower community, this Lab is for you.

FIRST NATIONS IMPACT LAB

Facilitators: Genevieve Grieves (Worimi) and Laurrie Mansfield (Bundjalung)

Mentors: Hollie Fifer and Alex Kelly

Hosts: Sarah Butler and Kate Hodges

Program Producer: Maya Ghattas

Communications: Simone Mugavin

Designer: Sancia Janggalay Ridgeway (Gumbaynggirr)

Presented by

Principal Partner

Supported by

Hosted on Wodi Wodi Country, the Traditional Country of the Wodi Wodi and Dharawal of New South Wales. We acknowledge that their sovereignty was never ceded and we thank them for their continuing care and custodianship of this Country.