Zeena Starbuck

Democracy Story Unit (DSU)

Zeena Starbuck is the Project Coordinator for Doc Society’s Democracy Story Unit (DSU) and Lead Researcher & Coordinator for the DISCO Network’s Independence Project. With the DSU, she works on the development and implementation of the Democracy Story Labs and narrative strategy projects, including the Democracy Story Lab London and Big Tech Narrative Initiative. With the Independence Project, she works closely with filmmakers and documentary organisations from around the world to conduct interviews, publish research outputs, and facilitate events to further the discussion around the global documentary ecosystem.

Participating Sessions

Envisioning the Future: Sustainable Solutions for Filmmakers

Filmmakers are currently facing critical issues that could impact the future of filmmaking as a career. These challenges include an evolving distribution landscape, the impact of AI, project funding, and fair compensation. In this conversation, we envision a future where filmmakers can effectively monetize their work, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches and solutions that highlight the importance of films in society.