About
Where we've come from
In a world of increasing globalisation, Campfire has valuable contribution to make. As people of different belief systems come into contact, a common reaction to these differences is tribalism and fear. Tolerance can only be achieved through understanding, both one's own beliefs and the beliefs of others.
Campfire's mission is to develop this understanding through honest discussion around meaningful issues – whether spiritual, cultural or philosophical – using the power of short films as a catalyst. Started in 2006 by Melbourne filmmaker and teacher, Richard Leigh, Campfire has grown into an independent, not-for-profit organisation with support from a diverse range of creative, cultural and spiritual leaders from around the country.
Campfire hosts quarterly online film-festivals, but also has a yearly live Awards Screening event held at ACMI, Federation Square. Awards are given in the categories of Best Youth, Best Documentary, Best Environmental, Best Comedy and the 'Campfire Award' for best all-round discussion-starter.
Campfire has now entered an exciting phase in its history, as it becomes a fully-fledged social enterprise, offering valuable services to the education sector. In this new phase, the quality films that have been aggregated as part of the film festivals are being offered to secondary schools and other organisations across Australia. Campfire's mission remains the same, but its scope will increase dramatically to include over 1.5 million secondary school students.
Values
The values that Campfire will operate under internally are dictated by our mission.
Honesty and integrity – Campfire will never shy away from the truth, be it an incorrect assumption about our target market or a payment mistake with a supplier. Campfire will address difficult issues directly with the confidence that the long-term benefits of this position will always outweigh any short-term costs.
Meaningful issues – Campfire will maintain a focus on the big picture. It will constantly re-assess priorities in light of the mission and vision, and make sure effort is expended on the critical issues first.
Quality – The premium nature of Campfire's product requires that every customer, supplier, and employee interaction with the company or its management reflect the high standards of quality to which we hold ourselves and our product.
Vision and mission
Have you ever seen a really moving short film that's made you stop and think about the way the world is, or about what people believe at a very deep level – possibly in a way that you've never thought of before? Short films have the power to help people think, feel and open up, and are the driving force behind the change Campfire is championing.
The Campfire mission is two-fold:
• To spark honest discussion of meaningful personal and social issues – be they spiritual, cultural, or philosophical – through the use of quality short films
• To encourage filmmakers to engage with these issues and create meaningful content
The vision Campfire hopes to achieve has important impacts on both audiences and filmmakers. For audiences, the goal is a deeper and more honest engagement with meaningful issues. Our focus is on schools where ‘meaningful issues’ lie beneath so many areas of the curriculum: in English and humanities, Health and welfare, Philosophy and religion, Media and art, and Science and technology. The short films Campfire distribute to schools make it easier for teachers to introduce topics in meaningful ways and raise discussion about issues that go beyond the classroom. Our vision is to see students inspired and engaged in life, so they better understand themselves and their place in the world around them.
The vision for the filmmaking community is also multi-faceted. Campfire aims to give them a greater understanding of the spiritual, cultural, and philosophical aspects of their films. They will be inspired by the ability of these topics to give meaning to a film, and will begin to produce films with gutsy and honest, but sensitive and open-minded treatments of these issues.
HOW WE'RE FUNDED
Through the support of Social Traders program called The Crunch, Campfire received business coaching from Australia Post, and start-up funding from the Social Trader's Development Fund to launch as a social enterprise. Through school memberships, Campfire is on-track to be financially self-sustainable, returning 50% of any profits back to filmmakers.
OUR SUPPORTERS
Campfire also receives support for its live Awards Screening event from its Cultural Partners Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), and the Victorian Multicultural Commission (under the direction of the Vic. Government Department of Premier and Cabinet).
