Pitch Fest

Supporting talented creators who are innovating on behalf of Australia’s nature. 

Overview

We’re on the hunt for a talented and passionate creator looking to innovate on behalf of Australia’s nature.  

We are casting a wide net and welcome submissions of interest from creators of all disciplines and ages (15+ up) in Australia who are excited to apply their creative skillset towards a compelling, motivating and engaging project to drive positive change on behalf of Australia’s ecosystems, wildlife, and communities. 

Maybe you’re an up and coming filmmaker, maybe you’re an animator, an app creator, a comedian, or a multi-media artist, we are not setting limitations around the type of media your pitch utilizes or specifying the issue of focus, however the project must be able to be shared widely, the idea must belong to you, and it must have capacity to drive positive environmental change for Australia whilst addressing the five critical communication challenges we are facing as listed on this page.

Winner will receive $50,000 AUD to develop, create, and launch their project.

Challenges

The key note here: While we are issue agnostic, we are looking for pitches that address five critical communication challenges in the climate / environment space: 

  1. Your pitch must communicate URGENCY in a way that inspires people to take action 

  2. Your pitch must engender a sense of “ACTIVE HOPE”, painting a picture of a future of abundance and possibility if we take action now

  3. Your project must have a clear AUDIENCE (*refer to climate compass segmentation for reference. Link in research material section)

  4. Your project must have a clear CALL TO ACTION, and if your call to action isn’t solidified yet, be open to developing a clear call to action with our team that is creative, compelling and easy for the audience to undertake. 

Your project must be EASILY SHAREABLE across myriad mediums. (i.e. there must be a way to translate the project into posts for social media, linked in, articles, or launch on a multi media channel).

    • Must be based in Australia

    • Have legal work rights in Australia (either be an Australian citizen or have work rights on eligible visa. Students are welcome to apply.)

    • Passionate creators of any discipline and any age (15+ and up) *confirm age

    • Pitches to be focused on Australian issues (and solutions)

    • If selected in top three finalists you must be available and willing to come to Byron Bay in August 2025 to pitch in person at the Byron Bay Surf Festival in front of a live audience + judges (travel and accommodation to be covered by us). If finalist is under 18, travel for guardian will be included. (confirm)

    • You must own the intellectual property of any stories / work you are submitting

    • Be able and willing to create the project you submit within a 12 month timeframe, within the fee allotted (we should clarify deliverables and timeline for delivery of final project possibly)

    • Be willing to work collaboratively with our board of directors and team during evolution of your project

    • Be willing to have your project shared widely across unlimited mediums

    • Who owns the copyright / rights to the project? What do we need to ask for here, in exchange for the fee we are paying?

  • Areas of the natural environment which the Pitchfest will focus on include, but are not limited to, the protection, conservation and restoration of Australia’s:

    • Forests

    • Vegetation on cleared or eroded land

    • Savannah 

    • Regenerative agriculture

    • Wildlife biodiversity

    • Waste management and minimisation

    • Air and water quality (carbon, methane and other noxious gas reduction, sediments and chemical run off)


    As well as the following topics: 

    • First Nations land custodianship

    • Australia’s vulnerability to climate change & extreme weather

    • Australia’s relationship to fossil fuels 

    *We welcome pitches on issues and topics beyond the above list as long as they are still related to Australia’s environment.

    1. PERSONAL VIDEO: Up to 5 minutes to introduce yourself and the project you are pitching (sent as .mov, .mpg, .mp4 file). 

    2. PROJECT SAMPLE OR OUTLINE: (this can be photos, video, animation, music, multi media, writing etc. Must be sent as audio, video, or jpg file) 

    3. In a word document (750 words or less) (or maybe they can write this right into a submission box on website) : 

      1. PLAN: up to 250 words on how you would use these funds to bring your project to life should you be the winner

      2. IMPACT: up to 250 words on intended impact of your project

      3. COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES: Articulate how you plan to address the five communication issues outlined in Pitchfest brief. (URGENCY, ACTIVE HOPE, AUDIENCE, CALL TO ACTION, AND SHAREABILITY)

Apply

Supporting talented creators who will innovate on behalf of Australia’s nature.