Impact Production in Higher Education: Shaping Future Change Makers Through Film Education.

Abstract

This paper offers a perspective on impact production (using film and other forms of storytelling as the core of a social change strategy) as an important component of well-rounded film education programmes that seek to shape a new generation of socially and environmentally conscious filmmakers. Through desk research, interviews, and a survey we found that opportunities to learn about impact producing at higher education institutions are, for the most part, limited and expensive, while open access resources are numerous, but can be overwhelming for those new to the field. We interview practitioners who specialise in (a) raising awareness about what impact production entails, (b) implementing impact production strategies as part of their own practice, and (c) educating filmmakers in how to design effective impact campaigns. We analyse two case studies from Majority World countries to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of existing impact teaching and training. The data we gathered informs a theorisation of how impact production can be incorporated constructively into formal educational practices worldwide. As such, the paper conceptualises what ‘impact production film education’ entails in a higher education context. This includes unpacking the interdisciplinary and practice-based nature of impact production. The intention is to shine a light on the pedagogical value of impact production for shaping a new generation of film¬makers that are technically equipped to tell compelling stories, and intellectually committed to using film as a tool for change.