First Nations Impact Lab

Artwork: Trent Bundirrik Lee, Larrakia Nation

First Nations Impact Lab

Are you a First Nations filmmaker, campaigner, advocate, activist, storyteller, educator or social/environmental changemaker? Are you looking to learn how to create movements that mobilise grassroots audiences, change policies, protect Country and place the communities most affected front and centre?

Apply Now

Deadline: 11:59pm, 13th of August 2023

GARUWA and Doc Society are inviting 8 social and environmental First Nations changemakers working at the intersection of documentary storytelling and impact campaigning to attend the First Nations Impact Lab. This lab is a collaborative environment led by First Nations knowledge holders and informed by best practice to inspire you, connect you with a network of like-minded practitioners here and globally and sharpen the strategies for your current project that lead social and/or environmental transformation.

Led by facilitators Genevieve Grieves and Laurrie Brannigan-Onato, the 4-day participatory lab will be an immersive experience on Wodi Wodi Country in Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales. We will connect, share 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 social or environmental change.

Applications are now open and we are looking for First Nations changemakers (whatever form their practice takes) with an active project to join us on this journey.

Eligibility

  • WHEN: You must be available to travel to Kangaroo Valley and attend the lab for 4 days from the 3rd to the 6th of October 2023.
  • WHO: Emerging to advanced First Nations changemakers who want to deepen their understanding of the power of film to support what they do.
  • PROJECT: You must apply with an active project for social and environmental change. This may be connected to a film, podcast, VR project or it may not.
  • If you have any questions about your eligibility please contact Simone at simone@garuwa.com

Successful applicants will be informed by 1st of September 2023.

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 who need child care or other arrangements to be able to attend the Lab. Please advise us of your needs and we will do our best to accommodate them.

Please Note

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 cells and change rooms, and shared bathrooms. The property is not wheelchair accessible.

The Organisers

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.