Odyssey and awakening, flight of the Bogong Moth

The Bogong Moth from the Australian southern alps is in serious decline, it could be endangered or extinct someday soon. The project explores the significance of an anthropocentric relationship to the environment. What is the value of biodiversity with small creatures in our environment? The moth was once sacred and became a pest blocking air vents at its previous sacred epicentre the location of new parliament house. The decline of the moth represents part of a domino effect throughout the fragile ecosystems in its flight path. Having a closer view of its survival questions a relationship to the environment.

The project aims to be a educational resource for young audiences, bringing an awareness of climate change, human relationship to wildlife and the environment since colonialism, the relationship of indigenous cultural practice, as well as an introduction to managing fragile ecosystems. This aims to give confidence to both scientific and indigenous communities as a way to nurture and acknowledge a future voice in relationship to the land.

The film is an opportunity for local filmmakers to create a new work that engages the audience into an appreciation of the local environment and its fragile relationship to human impact. As an educational tool this aims to make audiences realise the risks of a future that lacks biodiversity, but also encouraging responsibility as well as an ability to take action.

The documentary will showcase the research, views and experience by many ordinary people, therefore aiming at a close audience identification with the subject. The narrative will be developed in the subjective objective by utilising animation techniques as part of the story telling. This aims to engage the audience imagination into evidence through first nations people and expert scientists. The visual and audio experience will be explored in creating the subject matter into an engaging cinematic experience whose message will remain with the audience long after the show is over.

The work is being developed closely alongside recent PhD research and indigenous people relative to the Bogong Moth. Further networking with these contacts will drive the narrative creativity and voice, while also extending the outreach potential. The project will also be developed with advice from online educational distributors, which will also determine the narrative style and format.

- An attitude shift of audiences that will engage an active responsibility towards environmental choices, such as food and transport choices.
- An awareness and interest in local ecosystems
- Actively taking steps in reducing unnecessary chemical, sound and light pollution.

- To inspire interest in future design and protection of biodiversity and vulnerable species.

Indicators for success include
- Completion of a film whose narrative process demonstrates creativity and inclusion, while
-Being recognised and utilised as an educational resource to human impact on fragile ecosystems.
- An increased presence on social media platforms relating to the Bogong Moth, associated groups and wildlife species.