Emmy Award-winning filmmaker John Beder pulls back the curtain on breaking into nonfiction filmmaking, developing compelling projects, and pitching with confidence. Learn how to turn an idea into a film, secure funding, and build a network that opens doors. John shares firsthand insights on finding mentors, navigating financial challenges, and making an impact with your work.
Participants will leave this session with actionable strategies to kickstart their filmmaking careers and bring their stories to life.
John Beder (he/him) is an Emmy-nominated Asian American documentary director specializing in community-centered filmmaking. His storytelling is rooted in themes of navigating identity, amplifying community stories of resistance, social justice, public health, and climate change. He is an active member of the Asian American Documentary Network, Documentary Producers Alliance, and The Video Consortium while serving as a Board Member of the local Chattanooga foundation ArtsBuild, a Tennessee Arts Commission Fellow, a Kartemquin Mentor, and a Southern Documentary Fund Mentor. As the co-founder of Bedrock Productions, a community-centered production company, he has directed multiple documentaries, including the poignant Emmy-nominated film Dying in Your Mother’s Arms a co-production with The New York Times. His recent project, How to Sue the Klan, is specifically focused on anti-oppression and resistance against hate groups. The film is a collaboration with Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump and has received multiple awards and qualified for the 2025 Academy Awards.
