What goes into making a nonfiction project work beyond the story itself? In this four-part series, Beyond the Frame: Practical Tools for the Emerging Storyteller, we’ll explore some of the essentials of documentary filmmaking, from archival, clearances, and navigating generative AI to crowdfunding, audience development, and building a sustainable independent creative practice - offering practical guidance for navigating the evolving landscape of nonfiction storytelling.

What happens when we can no longer assume that seeing is believing? As generative AI makes it easier to create convincing images, video, and audio, storytellers, journalists, and human rights advocates face new challenges around truth, trust, and verification.This session introduces generative AI and explores its implications for journalism and filmmaking, while outlining strategies for mitigating the challenges of manipulated media, alongside the inherent limitations of current detection tools.

FACILITATOR BIO

Indira Cornelio, Knowledge Building Manager for WITNESS, is a feminist who loves community building and co-developing training and resources to promote the strategic and safe use of technology for the defense of human rights. She first joined WITNESS as Communications Coordinator for the Latin America and the Caribbean program, where she ran the regional online engagement efforts, creating audiovisual content to reach out to communities organizing to defend their rights.

In July 2025, Indira took the role of Knowledge Building Manager at WITNESS’ Learning team. As part of this role she works on translating WITNESS experience into clear, actionable guidance – and strategically distributing it.

Indira holds an M.A. in Media for Development and Social Change from the University of Sussex.

⭐ Registration is FREE as a perk for VC Gold members. Interested in attending more than one workshop? Essential and non-members will receive a 15% discount after RSVPing for your first session.