With climate change & biodiversity loss pushing Australia to the brink of catastrophe, the outlook seems bleak. Can we actually change our ways & protect the planet? THE BIG SHIFT follows trailblazing everyday Australians who are stepping into the vacuum left by government. They are drastically transforming their lives by shifting away from environmentally destructive careers to build a sustainable future for their communities.
Coal Miner Trevor is starting a sanctuary for endangered native species; cattle farmer Alison is forming a climate action group & shipping entrepreneur Vaughan is reducing plastic pollution, rehabilitating coral & building Australia’s first electric plane. Meanwhile, the filmmakers, Toby & Cas are inspired to convert their fear into action by quitting their jobs to join the cause, & soon they have the ultimate reason to act: they’re expecting a much longed for child. But with the climate crisis disrupting the character’ lives & threatening their plans, will they be able to achieve their goals?
THE BIG SHIFT is a character-led social impact OBS DOC featuring four passionate advocates & their surprising & inspirational transitions from contributing to the problem to being part of the solution.
Filmed from July 2019, THE BIG SHIFT captures an unfolding moment in world history, when human-induced climate change & the destruction of the natural world is becoming painfully manifest, & democracies are failing their people. It documents a transformational moment in Australian history, when radical change & uncertainty challenges us all to find new ways of living.
The characters’ compelling quests take us from regional Queensland, to the New South Wales wilderness, to Urban Sydney & the Pacific Islands during unprecedented natural disasters, the Covid-19 pandemic & democratic ferment. THE BIG SHIFT is an intimate & inspiring portrait of the courage & conviction required to keep hope through the most dark & painful times.
