Haiti Project Overview

• Training Process
• The Films Made during the Training
• Haitian Team
• Resources and Links
• Photo Gallery
• Map

Community Supported Film trained Haitian storytellers to make documentary films about the causes of and solutions to the economic and social development challenges their communities have faced since the devastating 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010.  This project is a partnership between Community Supported Film, Groupe Medialternatif, concerned citizens and the Swiss Development Cooperation.  The objectives of this project are:

1. To strengthen Haitian governance and economic development by empowering local video-journalists and documentary filmmakers;
2. The production of 10 Haitian-made high-quality short films that uniquely present Haitian issues and needs from the local perspective;
3. To use these films to influence opinion and policy regarding effective aid and sustainable development.

Training and Production

The intimate lived-reality stories produced by the Haitian storytellers go beyond the mainstream media’s focus on disasters, conflicts and crises which leave core-causes and long-term development issues unaddressed or misunderstood.  In addition to producing 10 high-quality short films, the training equiped the storytellers with employable skills.

Public Engagement

In collaboration with Haitian and international partner organizations, the Haitian stories are being used to engage people in local and international communities and institutions in dialogue and actions. Broadcasts, press coverage, and the outreach capacity of the NGO collaborators are bieng used to expand the public’s knowledge of effective aid and disaster response.

The screening and dialogue strategy is expanding on the model piloted during CSFilm’s Afghan project.  The Afghan-made films were the centerpiece of congressional briefings in collaboration with organizations such as the American Friends Service Committee and were shown to legislators, congressional committees and government departments.  The films were used to stimulate dialogue at venues including the US Institute of Peace, the World Bank and the Asia Society and at 148 community, university and film events across the country.

Screenings: We are looking for partner organizations in Haiti and the US to use the films for education and advocacy;

See the films at Haitian Perspectives in Film