REGISTRATIONS ARE FULL FOR THIS EVENT. A recording will be available of the presentation portion.
PLEASE EMAIL US FOR FUTURE EVENTS: [email protected]
About the Event
Over the last several years, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) documentary filmmakers have discussed decolonizing documentaries as part of creating more equity in the field. In 2017, Re-Present Media (RPM) decided to take a different angle on the issues faced by BIPOC filmmakers and began gathering information on the impact of racism and white supremacy in the industry, which is summarized in their new article, The Power of Personal Documentary Films. RPM advocates for personal storytelling from underrepresented communities in documentary films and nonfiction media.
Jennifer and Chanda will present an overview of the highlights of this work, which was composed of focus groups and surveys on the experiences of underrepresented filmmakers working on personal stories. Then they will take a deep dive into the context of this work, including their personal stories behind why this work was necessary, the value of qualitative data, the necessity of anonymity for participants, the strategy behind the impact campaign for this work, and how this work can become a seed for ongoing practice towards industry change.
Those who attend will gain an understanding of the importance of personal documentary filmmaking along with the issues surrounding white supremacy culture and its impact on BIPOC filmmakers. Jennifer and Chanda will also provide a preview of the impacts they hope the article will have and the ways in which attendees might continue to engage in the conversation.
The presentation will be followed by a moderated Q&A that will not be recorded.
The Moderator
Anjanette Levert (Moderator - Director, Documentary Filmmaking Program, Spelman College)
Anjanette is the Director of Spelman College’s Documentary Filmmaking Program. She has 15 years of experience in news, documentary, and live event production. As the former associate director of the Documentary Forum at City College of New York, she was responsible for creating, producing, and hosting numerous film screenings, workshops and panels. As a filmmaker, she created “Shake It Up and Shake It Down” about Freaknik, the Black College spring break celebration held in Atlanta, Georgia. Her second film, “The Wedding Proposal,” won awards and was screened in over 20 film festivals. She began her career working as a CNN and BET News news producer.
The Writers
Jennifer Crystal Chien (Co-Author - Director and Co-Founder, Re-Present Media)
Jennifer is a documentary filmmaker with a focus on personal storytelling from immigrants and people of color. In 2017, she co-founded Re-Present Media, a grassroots nonprofit that advocates for personal storytelling in documentary film and nonfiction media. In addition to presenting films with community dialogues by established filmmakers, Re-Present Media also offers professional development for emerging filmmakers and coordinates field-wide advocacy campaigns to recognize and elevate voices from underrepresented communities.
Chanda Chevannes (Co-Author - Filmmaker, Writer, and Educator)
Chanda is a Canadian documentary filmmaker, writer, and educator. She makes artful documentaries that seek to amplify women’s voices. Her award-winning films have been broadcast on six continents, have been seen by more than four million people, and have inspired tangible legislative and social change. As a biracial and bisexual woman, Chanda’s experiences have taught her that there are two things that we need more: joy and justice. She hopes her work serves to bring both into the world.
About Re-Present Media
Re-Present Media is an organization whose purpose is to humanize media representations of underrepresented communities through a focus on personal stories from those communities in documentary film and nonfiction media. RPM conducts filmmaker development, presents film screenings with community dialogues, and organizes industry advocacy and education campaigns.
Additional Registration Information
This event is focused on those who identify as BIPOC. Attendees will receive the Zoom link 48 hours before the start of the event. Answers to demographic questions will be used anonymously by Re-Present Media staff to understand our audience reach and attendance.
Questions? Email: [email protected]