Sheffield Doc/fest Podcast

From the Syrian conflict to Black Lives Matter; now more than ever there is an urgency for stories told by less represented and authentic voices emerging from affected communities. Getting access to a community not your own, to spend a few days filming on the ground, is widely considered ‘extractive’ storytelling. Can extended integration with protagonists truly embed a filmmaker with their subject's experience? What does it take to tell an ‘authentic’ story? A panel of filmmakers at Sheffield Doc/Fest 2018 share their own experiences of extractive vs authentic storytelling. Chaired by Anca Dimofte (Frontline Club) with filmmakers Molly Dineen, Leon Oldstrong and Deeyah Khan. Filmed by Sheffield Hallam University students and edited by Matthew Sturdy (Cosmic Joke).

Allegations against Harvey Weinstein and numerous others exposed a deeply troubling side to the film and TV industry. Following the birth of the ground-breaking anti-sexual assault and women's empowerment movements #MeToo and #TimesUp, we debate how the industry is responding. Chaired by Natasha Moore (Directors UK) with Tim Hunter (BAFTA), Jane Merkin, Billie JD Porter, Natasha Dack (Tigerlily) and Fiona Campbell (BBC). Supported by Directors UK

One of our favourite talks from the 2018 festival: Charlotte Moore, Director of Content at the BBC, interviews public intellectual, feminist, author and television presenter Mary Beard. In her trademark accessible style, Britain's best-known classicist discusses her broadcasting career as well as her most recent book, Women & Power: A Manifesto, hailed as a modern feminist classic. 

In 2017 the Grenfell Tower tragedy shook the nation: claims of gross negligence, government cuts, and lack of political action angered communities, and the demand for justice and call for change began. For many the tragedy highlighted the deep divide in society, and a local story missed by the media elite disconnected from the ‘real world’. A panel of journalists, filmmakers and activists from Sheffield Doc/Fest 2018 discuss their own responses to disaster. The panel is chaired by Siobhan Sinnerton (Channel 4) with Jonathan Rudd (Parable), Simon Hattenstone (Guardian) and Nendie Pinto-Duschinsky.

Poverty in the UK is increasing for the first time in two decades. We are seeing more people struggling to make ends meet. Does television set out accurately the complexities of living in poverty, or too crudely as either a deserving economic victim or undeserving ‘scrounger’? How can we tell more accurate stories of poverty to skeptical audiences, for a fuller debate and actions? A panel from Sheffield Doc/Fest 2018 debate these questions and more. Chaired by Poppy Noor (The Guardian) with the writer Jack Monroe, the filmmakers Mark Raphael and Daisy-May Hudson and Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Campbell Robb. Supported by JRF and Guardian

Britain's hottest young entrepreneur Jamal Edwards, founded YouTube-based SBTV in 2006 with a self-recorded grainy rap battle. Now hailed as one of the most important digital youth culture platforms, SBTV boasts over 950,000 subscribers and 600+ million views and has launched the careers of countless UK grime and hip-hop artists. On a mission to break the stigma around mental illness, Jamal talks to Jolyon Rubinstein (The Revolution Will Be Televised) about his influential career, his recent documentary exploring mental health and his future plans for SBTV and beyond.

This interactive and probing session uses the experience of a psychologist to gain insight into the art of directing actuality, the portrayal of character and examine whether we can ever get too close to the subject in documentaries. Moderated by Krishan Arora with Sean Mcallister, Bernadett Tuza-Ritter, Geoff Beattie and Stephen Arnott. Part of the 2018 Craft Summit at Sheffield Doc/Fest presented by Documentary Campus. Visit our website: sheffdocfest.com

Self-taught photographer and filmmaker, Khalik Allah's profoundly personal work has been described as "street opera"; visceral, haunting and honest. Having previously worked with Wu-Tang Clan and Mobb Deep, Khalik's feature debut Field Niggas, garnered critical acclaim from the cultural press and his follow up Black Mother received its UK premier at Sheffield Doc/Fest. Khalik talks to film programmer Ashley Clark, about his work as an artist and the creation of a unique and daring film language and aesthetic.    

Film and TV professionals at varying stages in their career discuss the successes (and challenges) that paved their way into the industry. With a panel made up of two BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, the Creative Producer of two award-winning feature documentaries, and a true innovator working in short-form, this panel is a must for anyone looking for advice on how to get their work made, and seen. The session is chaired by Ade Rawcliffe (ITV) and includes filmmakers and producers; Elhum Shakerifar, Ayo Akingbade , Lucy Cohen and Ed Perkins. Supported by BAFTA

Factual television is not an equal playing field. Women, ethnic minorities and those from a working class background are underrepresented in the industry. Apanel of commissioners and creators discuss the obstacles facing the factual industry in creating a truly diverse work force that represents and reflects Britain. Moderated by Anne Morrison with Ramy El-Bergamy (Channel 4, Diversity), Clare Richards (filmmaker), Jaimie D'Cruz (Acme Films), Tom McDonald (BBC, Specialist Factual) and Rita Daniels (Channel 4, Factual). Supported by Channel 4

Matthew Heineman, the BAFTA- and Oscar- nominated director, is one of the most exciting documentary filmmakers working today. His films City of Ghosts and Cartel Land offered searing comment on the fight against ISIS and the war on drugs. In conversation with Mariayah Kaderbhai (BAFTA) Matthew discusses these films and his latest documentary series The Trade depicting the US heroin epidemic. Supported by BAFTA.

Are we entering a new "Golden Age" for feature documentary? Will new funding sources create a flurry of blockbuster features, or is cinema exhibition inexorably declining as audiences ‘Netflix and chill’? The rising power of SVOD platforms opens up new audiences and revenue streams, but may also be skewing the market towards over-long, sensational documentaries based on profit algorithms. A panel explore who's got the money and whether today's market prioritises “Films that do Well" over “Films that do Good.”   Chaired by Rajesh Thind with Kim Christiansen (Danish Broadcasting Corporation), Mandy Chang (BBC Storyville), Elhum Shakerifar (producer) and Lisa Marie Russo (Doc Society)

As both a high-profile activist and an international model, Munroe Bergdorf's experiences as a transgender woman remain the driving force behind her work. Voted 8th in Pride Power's Top 100 List 2017 Munroe uses her public platform to campaign for and support the trans community worldwide, and all those who define as 'women'. She joined us in conversation to discuss her work, her activism, and her recent documentary What Makes a Woman ?(Antidote Productions) for Channel 4. The talk was chaired by Liv Wynter and included Munroe and Laura Jones from Antidote Productions.  

Sheffield Doc/Fest and Channel 4 welcomed the Grimsby-born, TV adventurer, record breaker, motorcycle racer and lorry mechanic to the Festival for the first time. With inspirational documentaries, produced by North One, spanning world speed records, Formula 1 motor racing, the Wall of Death and his First World War tank build, the enigmatic Guy Martin talked to Suzi Perry about his celebrated TV career and beyond. Supported by Channel 4 Visit our website: sheffdocfest.com

Doc/Fest and Sky were delighted to welcome Sir Lenny Henry to the 2017 Festival. In conversation with June Sarpong, the celebrated comedian and actor discussed his game-changing career, his documentary work for Sky Arts and his drive to make change in the fields of arts, diversity and to tackle poverty through the charity Comic Relief. Supported by Sky

Sheffield Doc/Fest was thrilled to welcome the acclaimed Salford-based actress and writer Maxine Peake to the Festival for the first time. Talking to Guardian journalist Simon Hattenstone Maxine discussed her love of documentary film and those docs that have inspired her life, her sense of humour, work and politics, including Andrew Kotting's idiosyncratic documentary Gallivant, The Alcohol Years by Carol Morley, Ray Müller's biographical doc about the German filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl, The Wonderful Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl and the classic British doc The Moon and The Sledge Hammer by Philip Trevelyan.

Viewing of high quality factual TV content online has had a massive explosion in the last 18 months – with documentaries attracting millions of global viewers, but as a UK production company or an independent documentary maker, is online production really worth your time? A leading online producers and commissioners from YouTube, the BBC and National Geographic explore what makes a hit, why online production is creatively exciting, how to make money out of new content – and how to exploit the content you already have.  Supported by Little Dot Studios

In these strange times with "the media” under attack in the West, there’s an urgent need for trustworthy storytelling that responds to current events – and documentary filmmakers are increasingly a part of this. As news organisations invest more in video, many are drawing on documentary techniques - following the best of TV news. How are some of the big names in journalism combining the narrative demands of documentary with the need for balance, objectivity, and fairness? How do editors sourcing stories around the world make sure they aren’t commissioning “fake news”? The session was chaired by Liz Mermin (Thomson Reuters Foundation) and featured Charlotte Cook (Field of Vision), Dorothy Byrne (Channel 4 News), David Alter (Economist Films) and Charlie Phillips (Guardian).

A distinguished panel from the world of film, media and politics discuss the rise of populism, ‘echo chambers’ and question how open we all are to contrary points of view in today’s media.  The session was chaired by William Horsley and the panel featured Charlene White (ITV News), Sara Ramsden (Channel 4), Trevor Phillips OBE, Martin Durkin and Jolyon Rubinstein. 

Filmmakers and commissioners at the 2017 Festival discuss the creative impact of Brexit on documentary-making in Britain. A year after Britain voted to leave Europe, we ask how best to represent the voices of those on both sides of the divide, and whether what we see on our screens is changing as a result of the triumph of the Brexiteers.