While video continues to play an increasingly integral role in how the news is delivered, there is still an opportunity to improve the tools and services available to help strengthen the wellbeing of creators and video-journalists. It’s easy to focus on accomplishments and awards as the main barometer of success, but the emotional toll of covering today’s most pressing issues is leaving an indelible mark on those who are driving the industry forward. Trauma and mental distress supersede accolades; regardless of a journalist’s achievements, actively acknowledging and discussing the challenges of this work is a necessary step towards healing long-held wounds and preparing for ones yet to be inflicted.

Over the past six years, the Video Consortium, a global nonprofit organization that supports, develops, and connects the new generation’s nonfiction video storytellers, has built a tight-knit professional network, bringing together both freelance and staff visual journalists who are working with today’s top media outlets and brands. Drawing on the trust, talent, and diverse experiences of its membership, the Video Consortium will marshal its resources and community to come together to discuss, destigmatize, and offer solutions for these pressing issues that are often left ignored.

The R.E.S.T. Summit will provide a safe, inclusive, and inspiring virtual space for nonfiction film and video storytellers to collectively lower their protective shields, be vulnerable, and find more balance while reporting on real-world events. Using a community-driven and grassroots approach, this summit is made by creators for creators—to dive into sensitive, often overlooked topics around mental health and safety.

Over a period of five days, the virtual Summit will consist of daily closed sessions broken up into three parts: conversational interviews with filmmakers, community roundtables, and masterclasses with leading voices. Focusing on solutions, we will invite participants from diverse backgrounds to (1) explore the effects of trauma across sectors and roles in the field, (2) collectively consider new approaches to personal and industry-wide issues to further change and (3) build community to heal and process trauma, now and into the future.

Areas of exploration will include: conflict journalism, engaging with traumatic material in post-production, the impacts of reporting on personal tragedies and emotional triggers in the field, racial injustice, sexual abuse, facing anti-journalist sentiments, trauma through the female lens, civil unrest and capturing protests, and much more. In addition, we will be hosting conversations around best practices for dealing with trauma on a daily basis: defining PTSD for participants to recognize the symptoms in themselves and others, exploring resilience practices and highlighting spaces for collective processing, maintaining a healthy work/life balance while juggling time-sensitive work, and digital security training to manage sensitive and/or dangerous projects.

This pilot program is open to 150 members of the nonfiction film and video industry who want a deeper understanding of the issues at hand and are interested in elevating the mental health of journalists, both individually and collectively. Our hope is that this experience will help participants heal, contribute their perspectives to a much needed cause, and find greater balance in their lives.

Cover photo by Carlos de Toro

12:00-1:30pm ET: REST Kickoff: the Summit Rundown + Meet your fellow RESTers

An introduction to the REST Summit and a filmmaker roundtable led by award-winning visual journalists Ed Ou and Souki Mehdaoui, with an introduction from VC’s founder, Sky Dylan-Robbins. Join us to meet your fellow RESTers, get familiar with the schedule, and commune with fellow filmmakers in breakout sessions.

Presenters: Ed Ou and Souki Mehdaoui, moderated by Sky Dylan-Robbins

3:00-4:30pm ET: Ethical Reporting and Resilience Strategies for Documentarians

An essential REST session with Bruce Shapiro, Executive Director of the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, a project of Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. An award-winning reporter on human rights, criminal justice and politics, Bruce will take us through a variety of trauma-reporting best practices and self-care strategies for documentary journalists — from tips for interviewing vulnerable contributors and effective approaches to handling graphic imagery to what it means to be a good colleague on trauma-facing projects. Afterwards, stick around for an interactive Q&A and solutions-focused community conversation.

Presenters: Bruce Shapiro, moderated by Ed Ou

12:00-1:30pm ET: Secrets to Finding Peace in Everyday Life

As journalists and filmmakers, we tell stories to improve the world around us, yet rarely do we pause to look inside and care for ourselves. In this very special workshop, Sister True Dedication, Sister Hien Tam, and Brother Phap Dung, ordained by celebrated Zen Master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh, will share secrets and insights to help us not only become more effective storytellers but also lead more balanced, joyful, and peace-filled lives.

Presenters: Sister True Dedication and Sister Hien Tam, moderated by Sky Dylan-Robbins

3:00-4:30pm ET: Being Your Own Best Advocate: Setting Boundaries and Managing Mental Health On- and Off-Set

Award-winning visual journalist Amanda Mustard — currently in production on a personal feature documentary about generational trauma, eight years in the making — will offer insight about what it takes to be your own best advocate: how to set boundaries as a freelancer, stand up for yourself in challenging situations, and what it could look like to challenge the status quo and work with a wellness-informed film crew. Amanda will also discuss the nature of making films about very personal subjects, and the ethical implications involved. After sharing her experiences, Ed Ou will moderate an engaging Q&A and round table with filmmaker-attendees that explores solutions-focused approaches to topics covered in this session.

Presenters: Amanda Mustard, moderated by Ed Ou

6:00-7:30pm ET: Playing the Unspeakable: How Traumatic Stress Impacts Your Life

Towards a Trauma Informed Filmmaking Practice: this highly experiential workshop will provide participants with a greater understanding of how traumatic stress impacts not only development but our everyday lives. Participants will gain a definition of trauma, explore different types of trauma and gain an understanding of how trauma performs in our day to day life. Participants will learn and experience creative strategies for supporting those we work with to address challenges and promote resilience. Through case examples, reflection and purposeful play, participants will explore how these concepts can be applied to their own life and work.

Presenters: Heidi Landis, moderated by Souki Mehdaoui

12:00-1:30pm ET: Beyond Trauma Informed: Understanding Reciprocal Impact

Join us for a much-needed interactive panel discussion to explore how filmmakers and participants have a reciprocal relationship of impact, even though they may have significant power, resource, and status differences. In a conversation led by filmmaker Jennifer Crystal Chien, you'll learn from JoAnn DePetro, a therapist experienced with narrative therapy to gain insight on how narrative agency affects those involved in filmmaking on both sides of the camera; you'll also learn from Sherizaan Minwalla, a human rights lawyer involved in the Sabaya film campaign advocating for the rights of Yazidi women to gain insight into best practices for working with traumatized participants ethically. You'll leave this session with a new model that centers reciprocal impact and how story participants can be empowered in the process of engaging with media in situations that involve issues related to trauma and mental health.

Presenters: Sherizaan Minwalla and JoAnn DePetro, moderated by Jennifer Crystal Chien

3:00-4:30pm ET: Digital Security Secrets for Nonfiction Filmmakers

Join Harlo Holmes, Director of Digital Security at Freedom of the Press Foundation, in conversation with journalist Ed Ou, as they discuss the essential best practices and often overlooked secrets of digital security for nonfiction filmmakers and video journalists. Viewing the topic of digital security specifically through the lens of trauma, Harlo will cover the basics (safeguarding your accounts, managing basic security settings, et. al.) as well as crucial areas such as communication with sources, covering protests, online harassment, and surveillance. This is a workshop not to be missed!

Presenters: Harlo Holmes, moderated by Ed Ou

6:00-6:45pm ET: With Gratitude: Closing Ceremony

Join us for a final debrief to share thoughts and experiences that were meaningful to you, and close the Summit together!

Following the workshops, join an optional 20-minute session using drama therapy techniques to connect with your own sense of imagination, loosening the ties of anxiety and creating space for emotional well-being.