Empowering women: participatory film projects for women

Li, Yuen Lam (2018). Empowering women: participatory film projects for women. University of Birmingham. M.A.

Preview

Li18MAbyRes.pdf
PDF
Download (9MB)

Abstract

Women have long had to suffer oppression and gender inequality. Films and film making, which were initially created largely for the purposes of entertainment, now are more accessible and have the power to enhance women’s agency and change people’s attitudes and thereby to create a better world for women. Participatory film making has become increasingly popular for empowerment in a wide range of projects and scholarship. This research focuses on the connection between participatory film making and women’s empowerment by analysing three case studies from NGOs which are providing women in developing countries with positive experiences through participatory film training. It emphasises the roles of NGOs and how different contexts of the projects contribute to different degrees of women’s empowerment. These projects also challenge and add to Bill Nichols’ concept of participatory documentary by highlighting participants’ participation in the film making process. This research investigates how the women make use of film making to create their own voice, messages or stories they deliver to the audiences and how women’s empowerment is achieved in the process. It also hopes to contribute with insight into the potential development of participatory film projects.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.A.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.A.

Supervisor(s):