@article{ART003171516},
author={Violet B. Valdez and Mon Mon Myat},
title={Teaching Documentary Filmmaking as Social Advocacy: The Case of the Yangon Film School},
journal={SUVANNABHUMI},
issn={2092-738X},
year={2025},
volume={17},
number={1},
pages={129-156},
doi={10.22801/svn.2025.17.1.129}
TY - JOUR
AU - Violet B. Valdez
AU - Mon Mon Myat
TI - Teaching Documentary Filmmaking as Social Advocacy: The Case of the Yangon Film School
JO - SUVANNABHUMI
PY - 2025
VL - 17
IS - 1
PB - Korea Institute for ASEAN Studies
SP - 129
EP - 156
SN - 2092-738X
AB - This is a descriptive case study of Yangon Film School (Yangon, Myanmar) in a setting of protracted civil conflict that has persisted since 1968. It examined the school’s approach in the teaching of documentary filmmaking and analyzed key aspects of the school’s operations. Findings show that the documentary filmmaking taught in the school was informed by social advocacy. This was fostered through the students’ participation in films commissioned to the school by civil society organizations and the practice of participatory filmmaking. The school stood out in the Myanmar setting for its dual character as a training center and a production company, and for its goal of offering film education at par with international standards. Students were held to an international standard of documentary filmmaking by a faculty of reputable filmmakers, mostly Europeans. Applicants to the program were screened along principles of gender inclusivity and ethnic diversity while academic qualification was less emphasized. The school has trained a considerable number of young Myanmar documentary filmmakers, many of them women. A constant challenge the school faced was inadequate funding. With an eye on sustainability, it was envisioned that students would eventually take over instructional and management functions to reduce the school’s dependence on foreign resources.
KW - documentary filmmaking;education in conflict setting;military dictatorship;social advocacy cinema;participatory filmmaking
DO - 10.22801/svn.2025.17.1.129
ER -
Violet B. Valdez and Mon Mon Myat. (2025). Teaching Documentary Filmmaking as Social Advocacy: The Case of the Yangon Film School. SUVANNABHUMI, 17(1), 129-156.
Violet B. Valdez and Mon Mon Myat. 2025, "Teaching Documentary Filmmaking as Social Advocacy: The Case of the Yangon Film School", SUVANNABHUMI, vol.17, no.1 pp.129-156. Available from: doi:10.22801/svn.2025.17.1.129
Violet B. Valdez, Mon Mon Myat "Teaching Documentary Filmmaking as Social Advocacy: The Case of the Yangon Film School" SUVANNABHUMI 17.1 pp.129-156 (2025) : 129.
Violet B. Valdez, Mon Mon Myat. Teaching Documentary Filmmaking as Social Advocacy: The Case of the Yangon Film School. 2025; 17(1), 129-156. Available from: doi:10.22801/svn.2025.17.1.129
Violet B. Valdez and Mon Mon Myat. "Teaching Documentary Filmmaking as Social Advocacy: The Case of the Yangon Film School" SUVANNABHUMI 17, no.1 (2025) : 129-156.doi: 10.22801/svn.2025.17.1.129
Violet B. Valdez; Mon Mon Myat. Teaching Documentary Filmmaking as Social Advocacy: The Case of the Yangon Film School. SUVANNABHUMI, 17(1), 129-156. doi: 10.22801/svn.2025.17.1.129
Violet B. Valdez; Mon Mon Myat. Teaching Documentary Filmmaking as Social Advocacy: The Case of the Yangon Film School. SUVANNABHUMI. 2025; 17(1) 129-156. doi: 10.22801/svn.2025.17.1.129
Violet B. Valdez, Mon Mon Myat. Teaching Documentary Filmmaking as Social Advocacy: The Case of the Yangon Film School. 2025; 17(1), 129-156. Available from: doi:10.22801/svn.2025.17.1.129
Violet B. Valdez and Mon Mon Myat. "Teaching Documentary Filmmaking as Social Advocacy: The Case of the Yangon Film School" SUVANNABHUMI 17, no.1 (2025) : 129-156.doi: 10.22801/svn.2025.17.1.129
