The Use of Video as an Activist Tool of Self-Representation for Turkish practitioners in Germany

Project Information

VIDEOACT

Grant agreement ID: 101025524

DOI

10.3030/101025524

Project closed

EC signature date 27 April 2021

Start date 1 September 2021

End date 31 August 2023

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 162 806,40

EU contribution

€ 162 806,40

Coordinated by

FILMUNIVERSITAT BABELSBERG KONRAD WOLF
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - VIDEOACT (The Use of Video as an Activist Tool of Self-Representation for Turkish practitioners in Germany)

Reporting period: 2021-09-01 to 2023-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The project addressed the critical issue of understanding how video activists from Turkey use audio-visual media to sustain their activism in exile. The project aimed to gain insights into how migration and exile influence their activist audio-visual production and how these experiences shape their formal, aesthetic, and stylistic choices in their work. Furthermore, it sought to map out key issues related to exile and the methods these activists employ to explore and understand their new political subjectivities and their interactions with earlier waves of Turkish migration in their host countries.

This project was of significant societal importance as it contributed to shedding light on the experiences of migrant activists and their use of media to engage in political and social discussions. It also aimed to introduce novel forms of activist media that are more personal and subjective, driven by the experiences of media practitioners. This not only adds diversity to media activism but also enhances the understanding of issues such as Europe's border policies and increasing authoritarianism in Turkey, which have broader implications for society.

The objectives of the project:

To critically examine the role of video activists in exile and their use of audio-visual media.
To understand how migration and exile influence the production and stylistic choices of these activists.
To explore the new political subjectivities of activists in exile and their interactions with previous Turkish migration waves.
To introduce innovative forms of activist media that are personal and subjective.
To examine how such media production can effectively communicate and disseminate activist messages, fostering empathy and dialogue among migrant communities in Europe and contributing to more democratic, equitable, and just societies.
In conclusion, the project successfully worked towards these objectives, offering a valuable perspective on the experiences and activism of migrant communities, with implications for social and political issues on a broader scale.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Research and Interviews: The project successfully conducted 17 interviews with video activists in exile from Turkey. These interviews provided valuable insights into their experiences, activism, and the role of audio-visual media in their work. The main result was a rich dataset of qualitative information and personal narratives.

Publication and Dissemination: The project led to the publication of a gold open-access journal article, "Experiences of Migration from Turkey to Germany: The Female Guest Worker in Contemporary Documentaries," which was released in Studies for Documentary Film in September 2023. This article presents key findings from the project and contributes to the academic understanding of migration and activism.

Podcast: The project produced a podcast episode titled "Video Activism: From Images of Protest to Protesting Images," which was broadcast in April 2022.

Screenings and Workshops: The project organized screenings and workshops in collaboration with various events and organizations, such as the Sehsüchte International Student Film Festival and the Maxim Gorki Theatre. These activities provided a platform for engaging with diverse audiences and sharing the experiences of activists in exile.

Networking and Collaboration: The Fellow actively participated in numerous events, exhibitions, and conferences related to migration, activism, and film.

Moderation and Panel Participation: The Fellow was invited to moderate film events and participate in panels, enhancing the visibility of the project and contributing to broader discussions on migration and activism.

Website: The project has a website, www.videoact.eu which was launched in December 2021. This website serves as a key tool for disseminating project outcomes and engaging with the public. It contains images, videos, sound recordings, transcriptions of the events that took place in the context of VIDEOACT.

Knowledge Exchange: The project engaged in knowledge exchange through the European Researchers' Night event, where the Fellow interacted with the public and discussed the project's objectives and findings.

Amendment and Ethics: The project faced challenges, including the rejection of deliverables and the need to amend the work package due to changes in research focus. Additionally, an amendment was requested and approved to address the changing nature of the research.

Exploitation and Dissemination: The results of the project have been disseminated through academic publications, podcasts, screenings, and workshops. The project's website serves as a central hub for sharing information, and the interviews and materials collected have been used to foster dialogue and understanding. The Fellow's participation in various events and conferences has contributed to broader academic and public discussions on migration, activism, and film.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

VIDEOACT adopts an interdisciplinary approach that combines elements of migration studies, media studies, activism research and ethnography. This interdisciplinary perspective enables a nuanced exploration of how migration and exile influence activist audio-visual production.The project's qualitative interviews with video activists from Turkey in exile provide a comprehensive understanding of their experiences, activism, and the role of audio-visual media. The project investigates novel forms of activist media that are personal and subjective, contributing to more democratic and equitable societies. This approach goes beyond traditional forms of activism and media production. The results of the project include the publication of peer-reviewed journal articles, public outreach and communication events including screenings, Q&A sessions and workshops, conference presentations to disseminate results in academic domain and ongoing dissemination of project outcomes through the project's website.
The impact of the project includes academic impact where the research findings contribute to academic knowledge in the fields of migration studies, media studies, and activism research. The gold open-access journal articles and other publications are valuable resources for scholars and researchers. On a more societal scale, by providing insights into the experiences of activists in exile and the potential of audio-visual media for activism, the project can inform policy discussions on migration, human rights, and integration. It can help policymakers understand the challenges and contributions of migrant activists. This is especially in a country like Germany, where the project was conducted, as it holds the largest Turkish diaspora in Europe. The project in that sense is an important resource for social integration, empathy and understanding. The project promotes dialogue and understanding among diverse transnational communities living in Germany and particularly Berlin, by sharing the personal narratives and activism of individuals in exile. It fosters empathy and dialogue, contributing to more democratic, equitable, and just societies.Through public events and outreach activities, the project raises awareness about the experiences of activists in exile and the power of video activism. It encourages critical thinking and discussions about migration, activism, and media.

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