First Nations Impact Lab

Developed by GARUWA and Doc Society, the First Nations Impact Lab is an annual program unlocking the impact potential of eight Indigenous Australian campaigners, advocates, activists, filmmakers, storytellers, educators and curators.

This Lab is designed to immerse Impact Producers working at the intersection of documentary storytelling and impact campaigning in bold ideas and best practices for developing significant documentary films, unlocking the potential of the film's message, reaching new audiences and mobilising a wider movement in environmental or social change.

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“Learning about impact producing from experienced people in the industry and discovering how it can manifest in a variety of ways gave me perspective on how I can take my projects to the next level!”

— Shari Hutchison, First Nations Impact Lab 2023

Facilitators

Alumni

  • Black and white photo of a woman with long dark hair smiling, wearing a light-colored blouse, standing against a plain wall.

    Thara Brown

    Yorta Yorta

  • A person with short hair and a serious expression, wearing a uniform with Martuwarra River Keepers emblem outdoors with blurred trees in the background.

    Kaitlyn Buaneye

    Nyikina

  • A smiling young woman with long hair, wearing a necklace and a scarf, in an indoor setting.

    Shari Hutchison

    Nyikina

  • A woman with long, wavy dark hair, wearing a light-colored turtleneck and layered necklaces, standing in front of a dark wall with a question mark in the background.

    Laniyuk

    Larrakia, Kungarakan and Gurindji

  • A woman wearing a large brim hat, standing on a beach with ocean and cliffs in background, smiling.

    Yale MacGillivray

    Kalkatungu

  • Black and white portrait of a young man with short dark hair and a beard, wearing a striped jacket over a black shirt, standing in front of a wooden staircase and railing.

    Dylan Nicholls

    Yuwaalaraay

  • A woman with dark hair, wearing earrings and a sleeveless top, smiling outdoors in front of a blurred park background with sails of boats on a lake or river.

    Stacie Piper

    Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai Illum Wurrung

  • A portrait of a young man with curly dark hair, wearing a baseball cap, in a gray jacket and t-shirt, smiling softly in an outdoor setting with a blurred background.

    Jai Wright

    Jinibara, Mununjali, Wanggerriburra

Facilitators: Genevieve Grieves and Laurrie Mansfield

Mentors: Hollie Fifer and Alex Kelly

Hosts: Sarah Butler and Kate Hodges

Field Producer: Libby Collins

Program Producer: Maya Ghattas

Communications Coordinator: Simone Mugavin

Photographer and Videographer: Jordan “Ned” Mansfield

Artist: Trent Bundirrik Lee, Larrakia Nation

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

FIRST NATIONS IMPACT LAB

Presented by

Major Partner

Partner

Philanthropic Partner

Queensland practitioners supported by