Talent Development Program — Wānaka 2026

Powered by Nikon NZ

Supported by Film Queenstown Lakes

Saturday 21 February 2026 | Wānaka, Aotearoa / New Zealand

As part of the Outsiders’ RUN / MTB / HIKE Content Residency this February, this one-day Talent Development Program offers early and mid-career creatives the opportunity to learn from industry leaders — combining mentorship, technical training, and practical field experience in the heart of Aotearoa’s adventure landscape.

Delivered through the Elevation Fund, this initiative reflects the Outsiders’ long-term commitment to reinvesting 1% of annual profit into developing the next generation of outdoor creatives, storytellers, and athletes.

Program Overview

Join the Nikon New Zealand team and outdoor photographer Dakota Brown for a focused day designed to expand both your technical and creative approach to outdoor cinematography and photography.

Morning Session — Q&A and Nikon Workshop

Start the day with an interactive Q&A and insight session with the Outsiders residency crew, offering an open look into career pathways and the realities of working in outdoor media. The session also covers business development strategies — from pitching and collaboration to securing more work from the other side of the fence.

Then, dive into a hands-on workshop with Nikon NZ and Dakota Brown (@dakotabrownphotography) covering:

  • The new Nikon Z Cinema camera, developed in collaboration with RED

  • A selection of NIKKOR Z Series lenses built for stills and motion

  • Practical approaches to shooting in natural light, gear setup, and visual storytelling

A light lunch will be provided at the residency house before heading into the afternoon field session.

Midday — Field Shoot

Head outdoors with the Nikon team for a guided field shoot.

  • Capture mid-day and golden-hour light across Wānaka’s alpine and lake terrain

  • Learn movement, framing, and environmental composition techniques

  • Collaborate with peers and mentors in a live creative environment

The program concludes late afternoon, with the option to continue if conditions and light are in favour of further creating.

Who It’s For

  • Early to mid-career photographers, filmmakers, and digital storytellers

  • Creatives passionate about the outdoors, adventure sport, and authentic storytelling

  • Individuals looking to strengthen their technical skills, industry insight, and professional connections

Program Details

Date: Saturday 21 February 2026
Location: Wānaka, Aotearoa / New Zealand
Duration: 1 day (morning to mid-afternoon)
Capacity: 20 participants
Eligibility: Open globally, with strong encouragement for NZ-based applicants

Applications open: 1 December 2025
Applications close: 10 January 2026 (5 PM NZST)
Notification: All applicants notified by 15 January 2026

About the Elevation Fund

The Elevation Fund is the Outsiders’ long-term initiative to support the next generation of outdoor storytellers and athletes.
We reinvest 1% of annual profit directly into mentorship, project support, and industry opportunities that build creative and athletic careers in the outdoor space.

Through the Fund, we partner with brands, mentors, and regional organisations to create tangible pathways for emerging talent — helping them grow the skills, networks, and confidence needed to thrive in the global outdoor industry. The program also provides meaningful access to community and connection, opening doors to new collaborators, mentors, and future opportunities.

The 2025 pilot program in Wānaka — supported by Nikon NZ and Film Queenstown Lakes — was oversubscribed, with participants describing it as “the kind of experience that builds both skill and confidence in the real world.”

Apply now in 3 minutes.

Applications take a few minutes to fill out below.

Applications close 5 PM NZST on 10 January 2026.
All applicants will be notified by 15 January 2026 regarding their progression to the Talent Development Program. Regardless of the outcome, we’ll stay connected and continue supporting emerging creatives and athletes wherever we can. We’re stoked you’re putting yourself forward!

Nikon ambassador Jay French

The Outsiders Launch Elevation Fund & Talent Development Program partnered with Nikon

July 10, 2025

Adventure and outdoor content agency The Outsiders has announced the launch of its first Content Residency, a month-long creative immersion set in the alpine landscapes of Wānaka, Aotearoa (New Zealand) this August. The first in its global residency series, these programs are designed to bring together global and local brands, world-class filmmakers and photographers, tourism, athletes, and emerging creative talent. The residency creates space for meaningful content collaborations that celebrate both the outdoors and the communities in which they take place.

This residency also marks the launch of the Elevation Fund, a long-term strategic initiative that reinvests 1% of The Outsiders’ annual revenue into supporting emerging creatives to foster creative growth, mentorship, and industry sustainability. The fund will provide project funding, mentorship, and commercial development opportunities for rising creative talent.

The residency includes commercial shoots, cultural storytelling, and outdoor brand and athlete-driven media projects filmed across the Southern Alps with filmmakers Justin Mayers of WestBank Media (Jackson Hole & LA, US) - renowned for his alpine cinematic work with Sammy Carlson, Colby Stevenson, GoPro, Red Bull, Ski-Doo and his commercial campaigns for US tourism (Jackson Hole, Goosewing Ranch) - and Sam Levings (AUS), known for his talent across both alpine and ocean cinematography with Arc’teryx, Red Bull, GoPro, RVCA, Coen Bennie-Faull, and Drew Jolowicz.

Mayers and Levings will lead the creative direction of the residency alongside The Outsiders founder and sports media veteran Michelle Bates. Together, they will guide commercial content production, tourism projects, and the Talent Development Program where up-and-coming creatives are mentored through real-world brand briefs.

As part of the launch, The Outsiders will host a dedicated Talent Development Program from August 8-10, 2025, in partnership with Nikon New Zealand. The program offers 30 emerging creatives the chance to work on real brand briefs, receive mentorship from industry leaders including Mayers, Levings, and Bates, and take part in a content competition during the residency. The top creative team will receive a $3,000 NZD cash grant, and extended commercial support through FY25/26. The weekend includes an exhibition in Wānaka, a full-day workshop and briefing at the Lake Hawea View property, and a team-based filming challenge, with final submissions due by August 22 5PM NZST with the winning teams being announced August 27. 

Emerging creatives interested in applying for the program can do so via the application form at https://for-outsiders.com/talent-development-day by July 17 5PM NZST, with participants being confirmed via email July 18th. There will be 30 spots available in the Talent Development Program. While the program is open to applicants globally, creatives based in New Zealand are especially encouraged to apply. The program suits early to mid-career photographers, filmmakers, and digital storytellers looking to grow their skills, connect with like-minded creatives, and work on real commercial briefs in a high-energy, alpine environment.

This residency is the first in a series of programs The Outsiders will run annually across New Zealand and the United States. Participants in the August edition will benefit from a combined reach of over 3.5 million across athletes, creatives, and brand partners.

Brands interested in joining the Content Residency or being featured in upcoming shoots are encouraged to reach out. Limited partnership spots remain available.

For expressions of interest, please contact:
Michelle Bates
michelle@for-outsiders.com

About The Outsiders
The Outsiders is a content agency led by industry veteran Michelle Bates (AUS/NZ), with a global network of photographers, filmmakers, travel writers and creators who live and breathe adventure. We are not a traditional agency. We are a creative crew built from and for the mountains, trails, rivers and oceans. We specialise in content that connects, stories that stick and brand content that really delivers.