Technology & poetry collide in Google.org impact challenge launch campaign

We’re super excited to launch this year’s Google.org Impact Challenge Australia with a film-led campaign aimed at driving awareness of this awesome program.

The Google.org Impact Challenge Australia, now in its third year, discovers and supports the next generation of Australian innovators making an impact locally and globally.

This year, the Challenge will award $5.5 million - including a $1 million People’s Choice grant - to nonprofits and social enterprises using technology to tackle our biggest social challenges.

The 2018 finalists, announced on Tuesday 9 October, include OzHarvest, Orange Sky Australia, The University of Sydney, Murdoch University and Environs Kimberley.

The Hallway ECD & Partner Simon Lee says: “We all dream of a better world, but there are amazing Australian organisations working with technology right now to make that world a reality. We’re honoured to have the opportunity to help drive awareness of these organisations and the contribution the Google Impact Challenge makes to them.”

The campaign launches with a film celebrating the pioneering spirit of Australian innovators and our collective potential when we stand behind them. Influenced by bush and slam poetry styles, the film features Dr Jordan Nguyen, Biomedical Engineer and Inventor.

Dr Nguyen designs life-changing technologies focusing on intelligent, futuristic and inclusive technology for the disability sector. His achievements include creating a mind-controlled wheelchair, and he was a NSW State Finalist for Australian of the Year in 2017.

The panel of judges including Professor Alan Finkel AO; Professor Tom Calma AO; Su McCluskey; Dr Sarah Pearson; Morris Iemma; Jacquelline Fuller and Google’s Anil Sabharwal will select three winners to be announced at a finale event on 1 November.

Public voting to decide the winner of the one million dollar People’s Choice grant is open until October 30.

Previous winners of the Google.org Impact Challenge Australia include the Centre for Eye Research, Hello Sunday Morning, and The Fred Hollows Foundation.

Credits:

Production Company: Finch

Director: Luke Bouchier

Producer: Amy Dymond

DOP: Jordan Maddocks

Editor: Andrew Holmes, Heckler

Sound Design: Matt Perrott, Uncanny Valley

Talent: Dr. Jordan Nguyen