Social Justice Film Festival Highlights Student Documentaries

Posted May 1, 2017

Documentaries help shed light on significant topics and challenge audiences to act on relevant issues of the day.

A new course developed by LMC teacher, John Thornton, MFA, introduced students to the art of documentary filmmaking, exploring the ways in which this genre of filmmaking can serve as a catalyst for articulating social justice issues that prompt audiences to take action.

Working in small, collaborative teams, students wrote and produced 15-minute documentaries on social justice issues that were specifically related to the Georgia Tech Community, the City of Atlanta, and/or the State of Georgia. The films were screened during LMCFilms Social Justice Student Film Festival at the Plaza Theater in Atlanta. The students also created Electronic Press Kits (EPKs) for their works.

Thorton’s class is sponsored in part through the Georgia Tech Serve-Learn-Sustain program. 

“I think these projects are excellent examples of what our Quality Education Program projects at Georgia Tech can do to bring our wonderful students’ expertise and skills to bear on complex social issues in Atlanta and beyond," said Richard Utz, chair of the School of Literature, Media, and Communication. “John made sure the production quality is stellar. I am immensely proud of these achievements.”

Below is a brief synopsis for each film. View them at lmcfilms.gatech.edu/sjsff.

 

FILMS

Advocate: Activist

(by Vince Chea & Rose Anthony)

This documentary takes a deep look into the lives of three protesters in one of the most successful social justice movements – Black Lives Matter.

 

Make It Last

(by Emily Sermons, Jessica Aponte, and Lara Centeno)

This documentary looks at the different stories of those affected by the recent changes concerning women’s reproductive health.

 

Minority Education

(by Christina St. Jean, Marissa Gamboa, and Brandon Boggs)

Minority Education takes a look at minority students and their experiences in higher education.

 

End It

(by Libby Galli and Antonia Deliyianni)

End It explores the facts behind the prominent sex industry in Atlanta, Georgia, and the systems that influence it.

 

The Line

(by Alexa Carleo, Ali Foreman, Quincy Robbins, and Marcelles Lowery)

The Line sheds light on the taboo topic of dating preferences, featuring the stories of four individuals who have personally experienced disenfranchised dating for one reason or another.

 

Pride School Atlanta

(by Alice Barsky, Estella Dieci, and Kaitlin Shea)

We spoke to educators, counselors, and students to answer the question: are Pride schools an effective method to reduce discrimination against LGBTQIA students and improve their schooling experiences?