Documentary films offer a unique opportunity to educate and inspire. With their ability to delve into important issues and tell powerful stories, documentaries can be a valuable resource in the classroom.

As part of impact campaigns, many documentaries come with educational resources designed to align with the curriculum and provide useful tools for educators. In this masterclass, we’ll hear from filmmakers, educators, and impact producers who will share their insights on creating effective educational resources that inspire students and reach and engage teachers.

Join us to learn how documentaries can be a powerful tool for education and positive change.

The masterclass will be hosted by Documentary Australia's CEO Mitzi Goldman, with a panel consisting of:

Alex Shain - Education Director at Shark Island Institute
Dr Anne Chesher - Leading Australian authority in screen education content
Chris Kamen - Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Franklin

About the panel

Alex Shain is the Education Director at Shark Island Institute. He is a skilled facilitator with an established career in primary classroom teaching, adult education and large-scale program design. Alex’s specialist understanding of documentary film combined with Australia’s complex education systems enables him to work with not-for-profit, government and corporate organisations to develop strategies with the aim of effecting positive change in society. While working across a diverse range of projects, Alex is passionate about the power of film to tell stories in Australian classrooms.

Dr Anne Chesher is a leading Australian authority in screen education content. Her career has blended her knowledge and experience of classroom teaching and the education sector with screen-based content production. Producing on-air and online creative media education resources for a variety of productions and distributors, Anne specialises in extending the themes and educational intent of the film (or series) to its greatest curriculum relevant teaching and learning potential. Anne recently completed a nine year tenure as a Board Director of Screenrights, and is now President of ASPERA (Australian Screen Production Education and Research Association), and a Board Member of ATOM.

Chris Kamen is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with a broad skillset spanning film and TV production, distribution, marketing, impact, business affairs and legals. In 2022 his feature documentary Franklin launched at the Melbourne International Film Festival, was nominated for Best Documentary at the AACTAs and Walkley Awards, and became the second highest-grossing Australian theatrical documentary for the year. Previously, Chris has pioneered crowdfunding and self-distribution methods on several feature-length documentaries. Chris works part-time in business affairs at leading Australian production companies CJZ and Media Stockade.

The Impact and Education Masterclass will be held on Wednesday 22 May from 5pm to 7.30pm. You are invited to register for the online event which will be held live via Zoom.

The Impact Producer Program is made possible thanks to the support of its major partners, including The Snow Foundation, Screen Australia, Screen NSW, Minderoo Foundation and Dyson Bequest, plus venue partner Shark Island Institute and VivCourt.