Screening Inspiration

Documentaries and film festivals embody in a concrete way Paulo Freire’s pedagogy of indignation, of denouncing injustice while also announcing possibilities. This article examines a study on the learning potential of documentary films for nine incarcerated women in a carceral setting who participated in a documentary film and discussion series. The impetus for this project came from a larger study of three documentary film festivals rooted in community development, activism, and social change. Like many attendees at these festivals, participants suggested that they gained information and new perspectives on themselves, others, and social issues. They reported being inspired by stories of adversity and appreciated the films as a form of informal learning. This article also discusses the unique challenges of adapting film showings to a carceral setting, including logistics and access, participant selection, and film selection.