Documentary film students will showcase their work at the 3rd Annual Short Doc Festival on Wednesday, April 28, at 6 p.m. in the UC Raccoon Mountain Room. The event is free and open to the public
The Short Doc Festival provides a way to exhibit the work of students in the Department of Communication’s Documentary Production class (COMM 455). Dr. Elizabeth Gailey, associate professor, said the festival was originally designed as a tool for students interested in social-justice issues. They are encouraged to use the power of documentary storytelling to inform the public about social inequities and promote activism.
“This year represents the third year we’ve screened documentaries produced in the course, and as a group they are by far the most impressive ever,” said Gailey.
The short documentaries in this year’s festival represent a broad spectrum of social-justice and social psychological issues ranging from race relations on campus and the history of local school desegregation.
“On a more humorous note, one film explores local conflicts over what constitutes public art in Chattanooga–including differing opinions on the two naked female statues at the base of the Market Street Bridge,” said Gailey.