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Doco in a day challenges students to create a short film about a global issue — like gender equality, access to education or sustainability — in just one day.
But it’s not just a learning experience: students use their films to fundraise for life-changing educational opportunities in some of the world’s poorest communities.
And the coolest part?
The winning team (and their teacher!) will experience a once-in-a lifetime immersion trip abroad to see the impact of their fundraising first hand.
If your school is interested in participating in the Doco in a Day pilot in 2025, please complete the expressions of interest form.
If your school has submitted an Expression of Interest, and you are the nominated teacher coordinator, please register for one of the following webinars.
WHEN IS DOCO IN A DAY?
• The competition window will be open in Term 2 – from 28 Apr – 4 July. You can choose any day within the window for your students to create their docos.
WHAT’S THE ACTIVITY TIME LIMIT?
• The activity is designed to be completed over one normal school day. Students will receive the brief in the morning and all docos must be finalised and submitted in a maximum of 8 hours (this is an honour system, please be honest!).
WILL STUDENTS RECEIVE A BRIEF?
• Every participating school and team will receive the same brief and the same amount of time (one school day) and therefore, the same opportunity to create a winning doco. Students will receive a brief and content to choose from including still shots, B-Roll, statistics, audio files, and stories supplied by Edmund Rice Foundation project partners.
WHAT IS THE THEME?
• Each year, the theme combines a Catholic Social Thought Principle and a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, uniting Catholic values with a global issue. An example theme would be ‘equal access to education’.
HOW LONG SHOULD THE DOCO BE?
• Students are asked to create a three minute mini doco. There’s no minimum length, but we strongly advise all films are over one minute. Docos over three minutes will be judged, but only up to the three minute mark.
WILL STUDENTS NEED ANY SPECIAL EQUIPMENT?
• The entire activity can be done using an iPhone (or similar) and free-to-download iMovie software. Beyond this, students are welcome to use their initiative — laptops, other video editing software and microphones can all be used (but are not necessary).
HOW MANY STUDENTS CAN BE IN A TEAM?
• A maximum of 4 students per team, and we recommend 3-4 per team — however, students are able to do the project alone if they wish.
IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT?
• Any student between Grades 7-12 is welcome to take part.
WHAT SCHOOLS ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE?
• The competition is open to all schools in Australian states or territories. Please be mindful that students must be in Grades 7-12 to participate.
WHEN ARE THE WINNERS ANNOUNCED?
The winning team for ‘Best Doco’ will be announced a few weeks after the Competition Window to allow time for judging — this will be in Term 3.
WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?
• The Best Doco will win an immersion trip to East Africa to see the impact of their work first-hand. Teams are between 1-4 and a maximum of 4 students (plus a lucky teacher!) will go on immersion. The Top Fundraising Team and Top Fundraising Individual will also win a prize.
T&C’s apply and will be published once the program is launched.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DOCOS?
• After submission, students can use their docos to bolster their fundraising efforts. Films can be showcased by schools and Edmund Rice Foundation to raise awareness and funds for life-changing educational opportunities in some of the world’s poorest communities.
HOW DO STUDENTS FUNDRAISE?
• Students will be guided through setting up a fundraising page and can fundraise for the duration of the competition window. We suggest students use their completed docos to bolster their fundraising efforts which help to provide vital access to education where it’s needed.
WHERE DO THE FUNDS GO?
• Edmund Rice Foundation is an international development organisation that supports sustainable community-based education programs in developing countries and projects for marginalised and disadvantaged groups in Australia. Our work places education at its heart. Find out more
DO YOU HAVE TO BE A TEACHER TO BE A DOCO IN A DAY COORDINATOR?
• No, you do not have to be a teacher, but you must be employed by the school. For example, you could work as a social worker, art therapist, media officer, teacher aide, or another supporting role within the school. There can be multiple coordinators for each school.
I HAVE A QUESTION NOT ANSWERED HERE, WHO CAN I CONTACT?
• Please feel free to reach out to us by emailing docoinaday@erf.org.au — we’ll be happy to help.
