Study tour connects students across continents
CQUniversity Digital Media students recently completed a cross-cultural study tour where screen storytelling became a lens for shared histories, reconciliation and intercultural collaboration.
CQU Cairns students Riley Briggs and Murray Twist collaborated with Griffith Film School students and Sámi students from Dalarna University in Sweden. The Sámi are the First Nations people from the Arctic regions of Sweden, Norway, Finland and Russia.
The diverse group of students travelled to Guugu Yimithirr country in Cooktown, where they worked alongside Traditional Owners, artists and community members to explore how stories shape, rather than record, history.
The major creative component required students to complete three production exercises contributing to a collective body of work reflecting on Australian history through the perspective of a Swedish botanist named Daniel Solander.
Daniel Solander was on board James Cook’s Endeavour voyage in 1770. This connection was the catalyst for the study tour, with a particular focus on the plants of the region.
Working as a single multi-camera production team, the students documented the annual Reconciliation Reenactment at heritage-listed Reconciliation Rocks, as well as Captain Cook’s landing and meeting with the Guugu Yimithirr Bama.
Students also produced artist portraits at the Hope Vale Arts and Cultural Centre, highlighting creative practices grounded in community, culture and connection to Country.
Individually, each student documented their learning through written reflections, video diaries, photographs, audio recordings and other creative forms, analysing how the experience shaped their understanding of screen production.
For Riley Briggs, the study tour allowed him to engage beyond the camera and connect with the history of Cooktown.
“The tour itself has reshaped how I see myself as a creative in this space. I didn't want to just be a filmmaker but to be a listener and collaborator,” Riley said.
“A key highlight was when I worked directly with the community of Cooktown and saw firsthand how storytelling can be shared.
“The community of Cooktown strengthened my understanding of ethical storytelling and care which will guide me in my future endeavours.”
CQUniversity students were supported on the study tour through Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) funding.
The study tour was facilitated by academic teaching staff, including Dalarna University project lead and documentary maker Dr Axel Grigor, CQUniversity Senior Lecturer in Screen Production Dr Jan Cattoni and Associate Professor Nico Meissner from Griffith Film School.
In 2025, Dr Cattoni travelled to Dalarna University in Sweden to present her current research and work with the Sami students.
CQUniversity Senior Lecturer in Screen Production Dr Jan Cattoni said the aim of the collaborative study tour was to encourage students to think critically about storytelling across cultures.
“We wanted students to reflect deeply on how the stories we tell do not just record, but shape history and communities,” Dr Cattoni said.
“As educators, we supported the students who engaged directly with both Guugu Yimithirr and local community members to challenge their creative thinking and approach screen production with greater cultural awareness.”
Dr Cattoni said these opportunities demonstrate the strength of screen education in regional Australia.
“Our Cairns students were able to engage in an internationally connected, culturally grounded experience right here in Far North Queensland,” she said.
“This is the kind of immersive learning that prepares students to become thoughtful, ethical storytellers who understand how we can shape the communities and histories.”
