Documentary filmmakers, as well as journalists, often engage with issues related to trauma, injustice, and abuse, but there has been very little institutional or even community support, let alone recognition of the burden of witnessing.
DocuMentality, an initiative of The D-Word, Film in Mind and Malikkah Rollins, recognizes the hidden impact of this work on the frontlines. We seek to normalize a conversation about mental health and well-being in the documentary industry, and to provide best practice guidance and information for documentary filmmakers – and for journalists as well – to become more resilient resources for themselves, their teams and the people who entrust them with their stories. This special session, led by Malikkah Rollins, a trained mental health professional and former documentary producer and psychologist Dr. Meryl Heyliger, will open up a dialogue about the impact of work on the frontlines, and invite our audiences to share your experiences.