SUNLIGHT FILM+STORY studio

experimental media for global change

Applied Poetics, Ambient Film, and Mobius Acoustics have teamed up to form Sunlight — a film and story studio for climate change action. We work with artists and scientists across the globe to create films, experiences and performances that make the people of this planet excited about being on this planet.

Our first project, Antarctica for Everyone, brings together the Australian Antarctic Division, the Australian Antarctic Program Partnership, the Snow-Avalanche Institute, and Dr Petra Heil. Together, we are creating a series of very short films focused on the challenging, adventurous, rewarding, emotional human experience of Antarctic researchers out on the ice to reveal the scope, depth, complexity and urgency of their work — work that unites nations and spans generations. These films will be hosted and distributed online via various platforms and partners, available for use by presenting researchers and activists worldwide.

We also recently attended the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) conference in Pucon, Chile August 19-23 2024. There we presented our project as part of a session entitled “Public Engagement with Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research” and connected with researchers, artists and advocates. We also joined the PEAR (Public Engagement with Antarctic Research) working group which will be meeting monthly to discuss strategies for engaging the public in this critical and exciting work.

AN ENTIRE CONTINENT DEDICATED TO SCIENCE

Desensitization and apathy have become barriers to public engagement in the fight against climate change. Our campaign leverages the universal attractors inherent to Antarctic research — hard work, adventure and camaraderie — to overcome these barriers and inspire the public to action. Each scored film will be a blend of first-hand documentary and poetic visuals and narrative, to foster an emotional bond between the public and the scientists who are working to preserve the miraculous ecosystem we inhabit. As Antarctica is the only continent set aside purely for peaceful, scientific research for all nations, we feel it only makes sense that every citizen of our planet should feel they have a personal relationship with this beautiful land that serves as a suit of armor for the Earth, reflecting the Sun’s rays and mitigating our global temperatures.

Gathering footage from researchers across the globe and creating this initial slate of films is the first phase of a larger project. We are in contact with researchers across the globe and some currently in Antarctica and our new website allows them to upload footage at any time, to be edited into short films over the coming years. These films, media and stories will be occasionally tailored for specific targets and outcomes — raising awareness about current proposed legislation or policies regarding climate change, for example. These calls to action can be customized for certain initiatives and allied organizations.

JOIN us!

If you’d like to collaborate, support or learn more about this project, email us at hello@sunlightfilms.org