The Issue

In an increasingly cluttered content landscape, it is more challenging than ever for important stories to cut through, as well as to find meaningful content which genuinely resonates and creates lasting impact. Living through unprecedented times, young people today are seeking opportunities to connect, to tell and amplify the stories that matter to them, and to see themselves and the issues they care about reflected on screen.

Young people are not just the future but also a key part of the present moment; the stories that guide and empower them now will in turn shape the society we all share. The next generation of voices should be amplified, to ensure their perspectives are shared and their priorities felt. However when we listened to what young people had to tell us, we heard that more support was needed to achieve this.

Our Solution

By reducing common obstacles such as knowledge and awareness gaps, financial barriers, and limited pathways for connection, we are improving opportunities for young filmmakers and audiences to make and watch documentaries, in order to platform the voices and issues that matter most to the next generation.

To do this we’ve collaborated with 18-30 year olds to co-create a program that genuinely reflects young people’s needs, interests, and lived experiences. Over the next two years, docYOUth will:

• Support young filmmakers to create documentaries that reflect diverse youth voices, perspectives, and lived experiences
• Amplify socially impactful documentaries by and about young people, as well as the issues they care about, to increase visibility and deepen engagement
• Build young audiences for documentary through targeted initiatives that encourage screenings, engagement and connection around relatable content

Our Impact

Adopting a participatory approach, in 2026 we gathered insights from diverse groups of young people through two focus groups, one survey and many individual conversations. These insights were compiled into two micro reports which have directly informed our program activities. With young people’s ongoing involvement throughout 2027 and 2028, this developing initiative will incorporate:

• A paid Youth Advisory Group
• $200,000 in grants to support youth-led documentary projects over two years
• Festival partnerships offering prizes and opportunities for young filmmakers
• Capacity building and networking opportunities for young filmmakers and youth advocates
• Social community and screening events to bring young audiences together around documentary and relevant topics

How to Support

Thank you to our generous supporters who have enabled us to develop this important initiative with and for young people. We are currently seeking funding for ongoing youth advisory and participation costs, public events and screenings to benefit the wider community, as well as for program evaluation and report publishing. If you have other ideas on how you can collaborate with us we would love to hear from you.