Kai Millen is among 12 applicants selected to participate in the Planetary Health Film Lab, an original program developed at the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research in partnership with Young Lives Research Lab and Youth Climate Report.

Millen was featured in the magazine of CQ Australia University. Read the full article below.

From Mackay To Canada, Kai Hopes His Planetary Health Doco Will Bring About Positive Change

Originally published: 17 January 2019
Originally posted to: cqu.edu.au/cquninews

Digital Media student Kai Millen is set to bring about positive change at the 2020 Planetary Health Film Lab in Toronto.

The 2020 Planetary Health Film Lab in Toronto has a new budding film-maker, with CQUniversity student Kai Millen selected as the Australian delegate.

Mr Millen has been tasked with the opportunity to produce his own three to five-minutes -documentary from 16-22 February, highlighting the issues surrounding climate change and planetary health.

“Creating content around the topic of planetary health has always been a high priority for me,” Mr Millen said.

“It is a dream of mine to work for a company such as Red Bull, GoPro or DJI. My favourite subject to film is action and adventure sports, which we may not be able to enjoy in the future given the decline of our planet.

“I have always believed and understood the effects of climate change, but after undertaking further research for this project, I have realised that the health of our planet is beginning to pass the point of no return. We need to make a change before it’s too late.”

With the film scheduled to 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, Mr Millen is enthusiastic about its potential to make impact on a global scale.

“My documentary will hopefully action some positive change in the world. It will be available on influential platforms to be used as a resource by policymakers,” he said.

“I will be working alongside some of the world’s top experts to support the film with scientific data and evidence from Australia. This process will also help me further my own understanding of the factors contributing to climate change.”

The Mackay local will be touching on personal experience with one of the world’s biggest and most efficient coal ports located in his hometown.

“Research suggests that the use of coal is considered a contributing factor to climate change and therefore it will be discussed in my documentary,” Mr Millen explained.

After finding the program promoted through CQUniversity’s online teaching forum, Mr Millen applied with the dream of being offered the all-expenses-paid workshop at York University.

“The opportunity was advertised to Digital Media students across Australia, and given the competitiveness of the program, I was in disbelief when I received my acceptance, he said”

With aspirations to be a film producer, the Planetary Health Film Lab encompasses all aspects of film making - providing the opportunity to draw on his studies in filming, editing and directing.

“I have always known I wanted to go down the digital media pathway but wasn’t sure on the exact profession or direction that I wanted to pursue,” he said.

“CQUni allows you to undertake a variety of subjects within your first year to understand your passions before committing to a major.

“I have been able to build my knowledge in variety of areas through a portfolio of work and my own projects such as this documentary.”

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