Video Contest: Mates from Germany

Create a short video (1–3 minutes) exploring the role of the German community in Australia - in the past, in the present, or both.

To make your video truly engaging, we encourage you to focus on one story, one angle, or one specific aspect rather than trying to cover everything.
A single personal narrative, a particular moment in history, a local community group, or even one meaningful conversation can bring the topic to life in a way that broad overviews rarely do.

Your video can feature personal stories, historical insights, cultural contributions, or your own experiences connecting with German‑Australian life.

These prompts are starting points - follow your curiosity:

1) Who are the German‑Australian voices? (past or present)

• What brought German migrants to Australia in different periods of history?
• Which stories — historical or contemporary - surprise, inspire, or touch you?
• How do identities and experiences change across generations? 

2) What have they experienced?

• What challenges did German migrants face in earlier times?
• What do German‑speaking newcomers experience today?
• What moments shaped their lives, families, or communities?

3) How do they contribute to Australia?

• How did German communities contribute historically (e.g., science, agriculture, music, exploration)?
• Where do you see German influence in modern Australia?
• How do traditions, languages, and cultural practices enrich society today?

• Length: 1–3 minutes
• Language: German (at your level — perfection is not the goal!)
• Format: any style you like (interview, documentary‑style, photo collage, creative storytelling, animation/slides)
• Sources: If you use historical facts, mention them briefly at the end of the video or in a note.

• Be curious — let one interesting detail or one person guide your story.
• A focused video often feels more powerful than a broad overview.
• Talk to people, explore archives, visit a local club, museum, or festival.
• Combine old photos with new interviews — or tell a “then and now” story.
• Choose a clear angle rather than trying to explain the whole history.
• Most important: enjoy the discovery!

Upload your video to a file-sharing platform (Wetransfer, Dropbox, etc.) and send the link to your video to learngerman-australia@goethe.de