Application for the 2021 Planetary Health Film Lab

The 2021 edition of the Planetary Health Film Lab is an intensive program designed for youth who have a story to tell about climate change and health and want to do so through film.

During a week-long virtual workshop to be held in August, 2021, a group of Indigenous participants from the Circumpolar Arctic and Canada will learn to effectively tell stories that communicate data, research, and life experiences related to global and planetary health. The workshop teaches specific theories, techniques, and modes of social issue filmmaking and provides hands-on experience with new digital technologies and platforms.

During the program, participants produce documentary short films that will be featured on the websites of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, and the Youth Climate Report, influential platforms used as a resource by policymakers. The films will be presented at this year’s UN climate summit, COP26, to be held in Glasgow, Scotland (pandemic permitting) and directly contribute to progressive policy creation on a global scale.

Learn more about the Planetary Health Film Lab here: https://www.yorku.ca/dighr/project/planetary-health-film-lab/

Eligibility Criteria

• Indigenous youth between 18 – 30 years old, residing in the Circumpolar Arctic or Canada;
• proficient in written and spoken English;
• have experience in producing videos using their own cell phones or video cameras;
• have experience in editing videos using their own computers and editing software;
• able to complete their projects by the deadline identified by the program.

Application Requirements

Please complete the application form below, by also providing the following information:

• Cover Letter: Explain your background and your long-term goals, how you hope to use filmmaking skills, and outline your proposed project.
• Project Proposal: A pitch for the 3- to 5-minute project you’d like to focus on during the program. Include the basic story line, what stage of development you are in (if any), if you have any existing footage you would like to incorporate, and how this project is meaningful. Please refer to the Overview for story guidelines.
• Showreel: Please provide an URL link that showcases your work to date.
• Learning Objectives: Please provide a short summary of your learning goals for the program and how you hope to contribute to the workshop and to social issue documentary filmmaking in your future.
• Equipment: All participants must have their own camera or cell phone and computer (laptop, desktop, or tablet). Please also indicate if you have access to an external audio recording device (microphone, lavelier).

Deadline for applications: May 31, 2021

Application for this year’s Planetary Film Lab has been closed. If you have any questions or inquiries, please contact us at dighr@yorku.ca

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