ACTIVISTS

•

ADVOCATES

•

CAMPAIGNERS

•

CHANGEMAKERS

•

COLLABORATORS

•

CULTURE KEEPERS

•

DREAMERS

•

EDUCATORS

•

FILMMAKERS

•

IMPACT PRODUCERS

•

INNOVATORS

•

KNOWLEDGE HOLDERS

•

STORYTELLERS

•

VISIONARIES

•

ACTIVISTS • ADVOCATES • CAMPAIGNERS • CHANGEMAKERS • COLLABORATORS • CULTURE KEEPERS • DREAMERS • EDUCATORS • FILMMAKERS • IMPACT PRODUCERS • INNOVATORS • KNOWLEDGE HOLDERS • STORYTELLERS • VISIONARIES •

Harnessing the power of storytelling and drive meaningful change for community

CENTRING OUR WAYS OF DOING, BEING AND KNOWING

•

COMMUNITY-LED TRANSFORMATION

•

CREATING SYSTEMIC CHANGE

•

INDIGENISING SYSTEMS

•

PROTECTING COUNTRY, CULTURE & PEOPLE

•

PLANTING SEEDS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

•

CENTRING OUR WAYS OF DOING, BEING AND KNOWING • COMMUNITY-LED TRANSFORMATION • CREATING SYSTEMIC CHANGE • INDIGENISING SYSTEMS • PROTECTING COUNTRY, CULTURE & PEOPLE • PLANTING SEEDS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME •

The role of First Nations changemakers is more crucial than ever before. Indigenous filmmakers, campaigners, advocates, activists, storytellers and educators are mobilising cultural, social and environmental change. Grassroots communities are influencing policy, protecting Country, and prioritising the voices and needs of First Peoples. By placing the communities most affected front and centre, we can activate real, transformational change. GARUWA and Doc Society’s First Nations Impact Lab enables you to find out how.

Eight First Nations storytellers are invited to attend the First Nations Impact Lab, a collaborative environment led by First Nations knowledge holders and informed by best practice. This Lab is designed to inspire you to work at the intersection of documentary storytelling and impact campaigning, connect you with a network of like-minded practitioners, and sharpen your strategies for leading cultural, environmental and social transformation.

Led by First Nations facilitators Genevieve Grieves and Laurrie Mansfield, the 4-day participatory Lab is an immersive experience on Wodi Wodi Country in Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales. We will connect, exchange ideas and resources, immerse ourselves in local, national and international case studies and dissect effective strategies for using independent documentary film as a tool for changemaking.

First Nations creatives and storytellers working in whatever form their practice takes, with an active project they’re looking to take to the next level are encouraged to apply.

Applications closed on Sunday 25 August 2024 at 11:59pm AEST. To be the first to find out about future opportunities, please sign-up to GARUWA’s mailing list.

FACILITATORS & MENTORS

2024 COHORT

  • Kellie Baxter

    Kellie Baxter

    Gamilaraay/Wiradjuri

  • Amethyst Downing

    Wandi Wandian

  • David Cook

    Badtjala

  • Kimberley Marden

    Kokatha

  • Tace Stevens

    Noongar and Spinifex

  • Kerri Lee Clarke

    Boon Wurrung, Wemba Wemba

  • George Coles

    Wonnarua/Gringai

  • Kimberley Benjamin

    Yawuru, Bardi, Kija

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

GARUWA

GARUWA is a First Nations owned, values-led storytelling agency and production company. continuing intergenerational storytelling practices in new forms and promoting sovereign storytelling and First Nations talent building. Co-created by Genevieve Grieves and Kieran Satour, GARUWA is a diverse team of filmmakers, artists, creatives and thinkers, practising decolonising methodologies and change-making storytelling grounded in collaborative and holistic approaches.

DOC SOCIETY

Doc Society is a non-profit founded in the UK in 2005, committed to enabling great documentaries and connecting them to audiences globally. It works with independent storytellers, impact producers and journalists in 37 countries, whilst helping to build the capacity of a network of peer cultural organisations, connecting Europe to India to East Africa, South East Asia and Latin America. Doc Society’s programme activity is centred around two priorities the Climate Story Unit and the newly launched 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

PROJECTS You must apply with an active project for environmental, cultural, and/or social change. This may be connected to a film, podcast, VR project or it may be the seed of an idea.  

WHEN You must be available from Monday 28 October to Friday 1 November 2024 to attend a pre-Lab dinner, and four days of the Lab. You understand that you may need to take time off work and depending on your location, may need to allow for extra days of travel. 

WHO Emerging to advanced First Nations changemakers looking to deepen their understanding of the power of film to support amplifying their message.

If you have any questions about your eligibility please contact GARUWA: impact@garuwa.com

NO COSTS

There is no cost to apply or participate within the Lab. All expenses including food, accommodation and travel are covered by the program. 

We have a small amount of funding to support participants to cover the costs of child care or other arrangements that will enable them to attend the Lab. Please advise us of your needs and we will do our best to accommodate them.

PLEASE NOTE

This Lab is designed for people who identify and are recognised as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) Australians, the First Peoples of Australia. We’re exploring opportunities for First Peoples of all cultures to participate in Labs with us in the future. 

The retreat space of Shark Island Kangaroo Valley is a private residence that is generously shared with artists and storytellers for the development of art and ideas. Please note accommodation consists of shared bedrooms with private sleeping quarters and change rooms, and shared bathrooms. The property is not wheelchair accessible.

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

Mentors: Hollie Fifer and Alex Kelly

Hosts: Sarah Butler and Kate Hodges

Program Producer: Maya Ghattas

Field Producer: Libby Collins (Tiwi)

Communications: Monique Duggan and Simone Mugavin

Artist: Jasmine Craciun (Barkindji and Malangapa)

Hosted on Wodi Wodi Country, the Traditional Country of the Dharawal people of New South Wales.

FIRST NATIONS IMPACT LAB

Presented by

Major Partner

Philanthropic Partner

Partner

Practitioners supported by