“When I finished my film, I realized that people really needed me there”: the transformative power of Collaborative Filmmaking

Abstract Collaborative Filmmaking (CF) is a relatively new, participatory, visual research method in which participants are trained in digital filmmaking to collect and analyze their own data in the form of creative short films and to disseminate their findings through film screenings and discussion...

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Main Authors: Jessica G. Burke, Annika Agarwal, Mihaja Raonivololona, Tahiry Anjarasoa, Laura Leeson, Sara Baumann
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:Research Involvement and Engagement
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-025-00673-8
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author Jessica G. Burke
Annika Agarwal
Mihaja Raonivololona
Tahiry Anjarasoa
Laura Leeson
Sara Baumann
author_facet Jessica G. Burke
Annika Agarwal
Mihaja Raonivololona
Tahiry Anjarasoa
Laura Leeson
Sara Baumann
author_sort Jessica G. Burke
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Collaborative Filmmaking (CF) is a relatively new, participatory, visual research method in which participants are trained in digital filmmaking to collect and analyze their own data in the form of creative short films and to disseminate their findings through film screenings and discussions. In this comment article, we present qualitative insights that delve into the perspectives of a group of CF participants as they reflect upon their experiences using CF and the impact that the method had on them as project participants. Participants were young adult educators who used CF to explore and evaluate the process of building community support for a comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) program in rural Madagascar. After the original project was completed, they participated in a focus group discussion with the researchers who created the method and answered questions about the process and impact of the method. The participants discussed the transformative power that CF has to elicit emotions and self-reflection among both filmmakers and audiences, and to generate visual evidence that can be used for education and advocacy about complex topics such as CSE.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2056-7529
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series Research Involvement and Engagement
spelling doaj-art-c6fd436b27ab4c52bbd0bc2df0d6ca432025-01-26T12:57:25ZengBMCResearch Involvement and Engagement2056-75292025-01-011111410.1186/s40900-025-00673-8“When I finished my film, I realized that people really needed me there”: the transformative power of Collaborative FilmmakingJessica G. Burke0Annika Agarwal1Mihaja Raonivololona2Tahiry Anjarasoa3Laura Leeson4Sara Baumann5University of Pittsburgh School of Public HealthUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicineProjet Jeune LeaderProjet Jeune LeaderProjet Jeune LeaderUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Public HealthAbstract Collaborative Filmmaking (CF) is a relatively new, participatory, visual research method in which participants are trained in digital filmmaking to collect and analyze their own data in the form of creative short films and to disseminate their findings through film screenings and discussions. In this comment article, we present qualitative insights that delve into the perspectives of a group of CF participants as they reflect upon their experiences using CF and the impact that the method had on them as project participants. Participants were young adult educators who used CF to explore and evaluate the process of building community support for a comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) program in rural Madagascar. After the original project was completed, they participated in a focus group discussion with the researchers who created the method and answered questions about the process and impact of the method. The participants discussed the transformative power that CF has to elicit emotions and self-reflection among both filmmakers and audiences, and to generate visual evidence that can be used for education and advocacy about complex topics such as CSE.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-025-00673-8FilmResearch participationMadagascarParticipatory filmmakingAdvocacy toolsArt therapy
spellingShingle Jessica G. Burke
Annika Agarwal
Mihaja Raonivololona
Tahiry Anjarasoa
Laura Leeson
Sara Baumann
“When I finished my film, I realized that people really needed me there”: the transformative power of Collaborative Filmmaking
Research Involvement and Engagement
Film
Research participation
Madagascar
Participatory filmmaking
Advocacy tools
Art therapy
title “When I finished my film, I realized that people really needed me there”: the transformative power of Collaborative Filmmaking
title_full “When I finished my film, I realized that people really needed me there”: the transformative power of Collaborative Filmmaking
title_fullStr “When I finished my film, I realized that people really needed me there”: the transformative power of Collaborative Filmmaking
title_full_unstemmed “When I finished my film, I realized that people really needed me there”: the transformative power of Collaborative Filmmaking
title_short “When I finished my film, I realized that people really needed me there”: the transformative power of Collaborative Filmmaking
title_sort when i finished my film i realized that people really needed me there the transformative power of collaborative filmmaking
topic Film
Research participation
Madagascar
Participatory filmmaking
Advocacy tools
Art therapy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-025-00673-8
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