by Rand Beiruty

In this talk, I reflect on the participatory methods that shaped Tell Them About Us and how they intersect with the ethical and social responsibilities of documentary filmmaking. Through my lens as both a filmmaker and researcher, I explore questions driving my practice: Who has the right to tell certain stories, and how does a filmmaker’s positionality and ethical responsibility influence their relationship with participants and the choice of film form? By acknowledging my positionality and fostering collaborative relationships with participants, I strive to create narratives that challenge dominant representations and amplify marginalized voices. I argue that participatory filmmaking, when approached with transparency and reflexivity, allows for more nuanced and equitable forms of storytelling, positioning participants not only as subjects but as partners in telling the story.

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> Rand Beiruty
> TELL THEM ABOUT US (2023)