Community Media in Action

Abhivyakti’s Community video evolved as a natural progression of our work from being the expert to co-creator as we believed that it was possible to learn and co-create together. Our philosophy was rooted in the belief that access to technology was easy, and the need to narrate a story was present in each one of us. This led us to think of ways to make marginalized communities partner us in telling their own stories through video. The idea of ‘Community video’ that is ‘film by the people, for the people and of the people’ was born a few years ago. The marginalized communities had the potential to create and share their stories. The transition to community video ideas got strengthened as we gained experience. Having worked as producers of video documentaries on social issues for many years, we began to realize that as story-tellers we are still outsiders. Being an outsider is a comfortable position. The issue doesn’t belong to us, nor do the struggle and hardships people face. While contemplating how to bridge this divide, the idea of community video emerged.