Visual Storytelling for Civic Engagement

2023 Film Festival

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

About the Course

This is an OSUN Network Collaborative Course taught in collaboration with Al-Quds Bard, American University of Central Asian, Bard College, BRAC University, European Humanities University, University of the Andes, and the OSUN Hubs for Connected Learning program in the Kakuma Refugee Camp.

  • All participating campuses had smartphone stabilizers, tripods, lights, audio kits, and at least one DSLR camera for student use.
  • This class introduced students to the uses of video for civic engagement and development projects, and trained them in the basics of smartphone-based documentary film techniques.
  • Taught by an award-winning group of documentary filmmakers, this class builds on classic PBS and BBC documentary film techniques.
  • This online film festival showcased the final projects produced by the student groups from each campus.

2023 Film Festival

The OSUN Visual Storytelling for Civic Engagement festival celebrated 29 student-made videos from across the OSUN Network. The screening was followed by voting by a panel of judges and the nominated films are listed below each category. The School of International Affairs at Columbia University also taught this course independent of the OSUN course and participated in the film festival.

Categories

Road Safety Movement 2018: Are We Safe Yet?
BRAC University

Riding Realities
American University of Central Asia

First Pancake
European Humanities University

Finding a Home: A Blind Person’s Journey
American University of Central Asia

The New Jim Crow in East Ramapo
Bard College
Beyond Borders, Beyond Stigma: Redefining the Coca Leaf
University of the Andes

Nurturing Nature: Community Agriculture as a Livelihood
OSUN Hubs at Kakuma
Food Waste in Bangladesh
BRAC University

Street Art: Creative Expression or Vandalism?
SIPA, Columbia University
Arts Away from Home: Multi Generation Artists in Kakuma
OSUN Hubs at Kakuma

Scars of War, Seeds of Change
University of the Andes
Fading Tides, Rising Hope
BRAC University

Films

Invisible Heroes: The Children Behind the Disabilities

In this documentary film, we delve into the resilient lives of “Unseen Heroes,” exploring the daily challenges and tribulations of children navigating a world shaped by the challenges of disabled parents. Through their inspiring stories, we aim to shine a spotlight on the unseen struggles.
AUCA

Finding a Home: A Blind Person’s Journey

This documentary follows the fascinating narrative of two significant heroes, renowned Kyrgyz singers who are blind, as they go on a profound quest to understand the meaning of ‘home.’ They discover the genuine meaning of belonging via delicate melodies of music, cultural research, and a new perspective devoid of sight.
AUCA

Revolutionizing Rural Living: The Ecohouse Story

Nestled near Bishkek, Ecohouse is a hub of sustainable practices, harmonizing solar technology, fish breeding, and organic farming. Our film explores the Ecohouse mission, featuring expert lectures on ecology and nature restoration.
AUCA

Riding Realities

In the heart of our lively city, this documentary sheds light on the lives of our main heroes—taxi drivers. Through interviews, personal stories, and expert perspectives, the film delves into the challenges, aspirations, and sense of community among these drivers
AUCA

Shelter for Homeless People

Exploring the hidden world of Bishkek’s homeless, this documentary sheds light on the shelters that provide help
AUCA

Every Child Counts

This documentary follows the lives of three ordinary Kyrgyz families living in Bishkek. Each of them has a child with a disability, each has their own unique story, but all of them have the same life goal – to educate their children. They all strive for inclusive education.
AUCA

The New Jim Crow in East Ramapo

How are the issues in East Ramapo public schools related to a systemic race issue and how does that affect the children and parents? What can we do about it?

BARD & KAKUMA

Multi Generation Artists in Kakuma

This film is about refugee Artists performing in Kakuma. It shows the obstacles affecting the artists living in a refugee camp and their efforts to overcome their challenges to achieve their dream goals.”

BARD & KAKUMA

At the Crossroads of Belonging: Real Stories of Immigration

Immigration and its impact on families and communities, with a primary emphasis on the cultural, social, and political ramifications of the migration and assimilation process

BARD & KAKUMA

Halal Food

What is halal food? This film will explore reasons for eating halal and the accessibility or lack thereof, of halal certified food in upstate New York.

BARD & KAKUMA

Nurturing Nature: Community Agriculture as a Livelihood

We explore the resilient spirit of Kakuma Refugee Camp through our documentary as we delve into the untold stories of agricultural endeavors within this community. Witness how seeds of hope are sown amidst adversity, cultivating futures rooted in empowerment and sustenance.

BARD & KAKUMA

Road Safety Movement 2018: Are We Safe Yet?

In 2018 thousands of high school students took to the streets of Dhaka, demanding an end to road accidents. This documentary explores if the movement succeeded.

BRAC University

Fading Tides, Rising Hope

A cartoonist’s remarkable mission to save Dhaka’s dying rivers inspires hope. But can he unite a city divided by blame and reclaim its poisoned waters?
BRAC University

I am NOT Alone: Women and STEM in Bangladesh

A female robotics student embarks on a journey to uncover the reasons why there is a lack of women pursuing STEM education at the university level in Bangladesh.

BRAC University

Food Waste in Bangladesh

The story behind the annual waste of 10.6 million tonnes of food in Bangladesh, a country where more than 35 million people still live below the poverty line.

BRAC University

Daycare Centers: Transforming the Lives of Working Women in Bangladesh

The film explores the transformative impact of childcare centers on the lives of working women in Bangladesh.

BRAC University

Wall Street: Gateway to The City That Never Sleeps

Wall Street is a gateway to New York City’s conflicts and contradictions. As a site of opportunity, it attracts the world’s best recruits, but appears to leave its peripheries grappling with issues of social equity.
SIPA / Columbia University

Bridging the Gap: Filipinos in the US Healthcare System

This case study explores the history of the relationship between the US and the Philippines concerning the export and import of human capital in the healthcare industry and policies concerning how globalized workforces affect domestic economies.
SIPA / Columbia University

Wheels of Change: Bringing Disability Inclusion to Broadway

In the City of Dreams, why aren’t more people with disabilities on Broadway? Wheels of Change explores disability inclusion in theater as a man with muscular dystrophy seeks to bring his musical on “disability life” to the big stage.
SIPA / Columbia University

Street Art: Creative Expression or Vandalism?

This film explores the birthplace of graffiti, New York City, to unpack this controversial art form and what efforts are being made to please street artists, local government, and citizens.
SIPA / Columbia University

Artificial Insights

The Great Battle: The Art Sphere VS Artificial Intelligence. Immerse yourself in the fascinating experience of Jeffrey Taylor, an expert in the art business, and discover the principles of contemporary artists.(31 words)
EHU

My Way to High Way

Take a Picture of me in the past and develop me in the present! …to restore everything as it was.
How addiction robs this ‘my way’ and leaves only ‘no way’

EHU

Rapidly Aging

“Rapidly Aging” explores Visaginas, Lithuania’s easternmost city, born in the ’70s as a satellite of Nuclear Power Plant. Amidst a Russian-speaking majority, the film highlights challenges including cultural and economic stagnation and an aging population.
EHU

Cafe #2 – the Beginning of the Journey

The story about the problem of employment of teenagers in Armenia and the solution to this issue with the help of a social project, in one small cozy cafe in one small cozy town.
EHU

First Pancake (work in progress)

There are places where everyone can feel part of the same whole. How can people help others feel a sense of belonging? The film is about the Lithuanian social restaurant “Pirmas Blynas”(First Pancake), in Vilnius.

EHU

Beyond Borders, Beyond Stigma: Redefining the Coca Leaf

Herney Ruiz, a community leader from Lerma (Cauca, Colombia), strives to destigmatize and redefine the coca leaf through its conversion into flour and sustenance. His insights and experiences call for a critical reassessment of global drug policies, historically punitive and discrediting towards producers.

UNIANDES

Sowing Peace: The Story of an Ex-combatant’s Entrepreneurship

After the Peace Agreement in 2016 between the Government of Colombia and the FARC, Lidia Alape, a former ex-combatant, takes on the challenge of launching productive projects to sustain herself during her reintegration into civilian life.
UNIANDES

Scars of War, Seeds of Change

German’s journey: Guerilla to Congress
UNIANDES

The Pijaos are Reborn

The Pijao community has begun a long process to rebuild the culture that had been lost due to the armed conflict. This documentary tells how this process has been, from its historical beginning to now.
UNIANDES

Twilight (work in progress)

Two young people move to the village, and create a culture club there. They are looking for a way to revive life in the Belarusian village and escape the ministry restrictions that censor culture in the cities
EHU

Beauty Will Save The World (work in progress)

A floristry school becomes a haven where people, facing loss and illness, rediscover life’s beauty. Their stories shows the belief and the transformative power of flowers and art.
EHU

Full films can be seen below. This is an online event. Join via Zoom.

Opportunity

Call for Grant Proposals: Students as Content Co-Creators

OSUN faculty can submit proposals for Students as Content Co-Creators grants. Projects can range from creating virtual art exhibits to curating a podcast series to developing audio and visual materials that offer insight into and build upon the unique perspectives of students and their communities. Materials will be made publicly accessible, with the permission of both students and faculty, in support of open education.

Meet the Faculty

Instructors

Each campus participating will have local hands-on training and mentoring with our local instructor teams, as well as access to international experts and guest speakers.

Adam Stepan

Columbia University

New York, New York

Nurzhamal Karamoldoeva

American University of Central Asia

Bishkek, Kirgizstan

 

Dina Hossian

BRAC University

Dhaka, Bangladesh

 

Julia Titova

European Humanities University

Vilnius, Lithuania

Eva Egensteiner

Bard College, OSUN

New York

Seamus Heady

Bard College, OSUN

New York

Sebastian Bitar

University de los Andes

Bogota, Columbia

Sebastian López Borda

University de los Andes

Bogota, Columbia

Maria Libertad

University de los Andes

Bogota, Columbia

AQB Instructor

Al-Quds Bard College
East Jerusalem, Palestine

Mulki Mohamed Ali

Kakuma Hubs

Kenya

Kamoso Jean Bertrand

Kakuma Hubs

Kenya

Full films can be seen below. This is an online event. Join via Zoom.