Community Engagement and Participatory Media
Helen De Michiel is a filmmaker, writer and educator whose media making work moves across independent film and television to media installation and transmedia projects. She produced The Independents and Alive TV for pubic television, have created several innovative community media projects with youth, and write regularly about issues in the public media and arts field. Her films are included in museum collections across the country.
Helen is currently working on a new book project now with my co-author, Patricia Zimmermann, and developing a new film essay on how the objects that people collect or cast off open up the shifting mysteries of history, memory and identity.
Filmmaker Website
Films
Between the Sun and the Sidewalk (In Production)
Tells the story of how young people today are learning and applying the ground-level lessons of organizing that built the civil rights and farmworker movements.
Berkeley vs. Big Soda (2016, 13 min documentary)
This true story explores how people power in Berkeley overcame the forces of Big Soda to protect the health of children and help spark a movement across the country.
Lunch Love Community (2015, 78 min documentary)
Through a mosaic of twelve interconnecting short documentaries, the film explores how a diverse group of citizens and food advocates came together to tackle food reform and food justice in the schools and neighborhoods of Berkeley, California.
The Gender Chip Project (2006, 54 min, documentary)
A portrait of five young women over four years of college training to succeed in the competitive fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Paying Attention (2003, 26 min two-screen media installation)
The urban landscape experienced through the eyes and senses of young artists and scientists who work at the Exploratorium.
Tarantella (1995, 85 min drama)
A young woman embraces her immigrant mother’s love only after she rediscovers her rich Italian heritage.
The Listening Project (1994, 18 min media installation)
Youth reflect on contemporary art as a tool for self-discovery.
Turn Here Sweet Corn (1990, 57 min, documentary)
A family loses its land and 100-year-old farm to expanding urbanization.
Consider Anything, Only Don’t Cry (1988, 22 min video essay)
A multi-layered reflection on the sense of home, memory and the mid western landscape.