THE POWER OF PERSONAL DOCUMENTARY FILMS

 

 
We advocate for personal storytelling in documentary films as a nexus for social change. We examine racism and white supremacy in the industry as it relates to storytelling, representation, funding, and distribution.

Campaign Updates

What’s Up with Docs featuring Jennifer Crystal Chien – Keep on Keeping on

Our Director Jennifer Crystal Chien is featured in DOK Leipzig’s new podcast episode “Keep on Keeping On” from What’s Up with Docs. In this episode, host Toni Bell discusses with Jennifer the vital question of who is determining what is of interest and to whom?! They dive into the challenges faces by BIPOC filmmakers working […]

DOK Leipzig: Personal Storytelling from Underrepresented Communities

Re-Present Media Director, Jennifer Crystal Chien, participated in the DOK Leipzig 2022 Industry Talk: Personal Storytelling from Underrepresented Communities on October 18, 2022. Jennifer was in conversation with filmmakers Brenda Akele Jorde (The Homes We Carry), Mickaël Bandela (One Mother) and Paula Vaccaro, founder of Pinball London and member of the steering committee of ARTEF. […]

MVFF: The Power of Personal Documentary Films

Re-Present Media Director, Jennifer Crystal Chien, participated in the Mill Valley Film Festival 2022 Panel: The Power of Personal Documentary Films: The Distributors on October 13, 2022. In early 2022, Re-Present Media issued an article, The Power of Personal Documentary Films, presenting data gathered from emerging BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) filmmakers working […]

Power of Personal Documentary FIlms Summary Graphic

Event Videos

 

We presented our article and findings at our own Launch Event, with the D-Word, and with the Personal Documentary Filmmakers Group, among other places.

Resources

Diversity initiatives don’t work, they just make things worse: the ideological function of diversity in the cultural industries
Why increasing the number of diverse media makers does not necessarily create equity.
Somatic Abolitionism
Anti-racist practice to heal and process a white supremacist world.
Documentality
Organization focused on normalizing conversations about mental health in the documentary community. Currently in focus groups and research phase, will result in the release of a free online mental health resource and toolkit for the documentary community.
Art Equity
Organization focused on providing tools, resources, and training at the intersection of art and activism. Offers leadership development and professional career support.
Annotated Guide to Racial Equity – Tool
Resource for organizations to incorporate racial equity in panels and other organizational work.