by FilmInk Staff
GARUWA and Doc Society are proud to announce that eight First Nations storytellers from across the continent have been selected for the 2025 Impact Lab.
Zena Cumpston (Barkandji/Kurnu), Dennis Fay (Argun/Badu Island, Kalaw Lagaw Ya), Bianca Hunt (Kamilaroi, Barkindji, Ballardong, and Whadjuk), Barbara Ibuai (Saibai Koedal/Guda Malyulgal/Kalaw Kawaw Ya), Shontell Leah Ketchell (Kaanju, Wakaid, Meriam Mer), Louis Mokak (Djugun), Caden Pearson (Bagarrmugu) and Merryn Trescott (Wiradjuri) will gather on Wodi Wodi and Dharawal Country next month with projects that activate community-determined solutions, influence policy, protect Country, and prioritise the voices and needs of First Peoples.
Embedded with First Nations values and methodologies, the Lab is designed to support changemakers working in truth telling, healing and transformation for cultural, economic, environmental and social change. It is led by Worimi Director and GARUWA Co-founder, Genevieve Grieves (she/her) and Bundjalung Producer Laurrie Mansfield (they/she), together with mentors including Director of Special Projects, Doc Society, Hollie Fifer (she/her), as well as founding member of the Unquiet Collective and Director of the Economic Media Centre, Australian Progress Alex Kelly (she/her).
First presented in 2023, the First Nations Impact Lab Alumni includes campaigners, advocates, activists, curators, educators, filmmakers, storytellers and producers, such as Kellie Baxter (Gamilaraay/Wiradjuri), Kimberley Benjamin (Yawuru, Bardi, Kija), Thara Brown (Yorta Yorta), Kaitlyn Buaneye (Nyikina), George Coles (Wonnarua/Gringai), David Cook (Badtjala), Kerri Lee Clarke (Boon Wurrung, Wemba Wemba), Amethyst Downing (Wandi Wandian), Shari Hutchison (Nyikina), Laniyuk (Larrakia, Kungarakan and Gurindji), Kimberley Marden (Kokatha), Yale MacGillivray (Kalkatungu), Dylan Nicholls (Yuwaalaraay), Tace Stevens (Noongar and Spinifex), Stacie Nicholson-Piper (Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai Illum Wurrung) and Jai Wright (Jinibara, Mununjali, Wanggerriburra).
This annual program has been made possible by the generous support of principal partners, Screen Australia First Nations Department and Shark Island Kangaroo Valley, major partner Screen NSW, and the support of Screen Queensland and Vic Screen.
To find out more contact impact@garuwa.com
