"How can a social issue be narrated in a way that people understand and support it—and so that our message even reaches decision-makers? Through advocacy videos! This is the mission of the Media Universalis Foundation: establishing the practice of participatory filmmaking. In their latest initiative, they collaborated with local Roma communities to identify local problems and present them through advocacy videos."
"With their support, young people from the Borsod and Baranya regions joined forces to express through advocacy videos what changes they wish to see in their own environments."
Creating an advocacy video begins with collective brainstorming, where the group decides together what the short film should be about. They develop the visual concept, plan the scenes, and then shoot the raw footage. Throughout the process, participants use only their own smartphones: they use them for filming and for editing the footage as well. The process is simple and fast—a video can be completed in just a few hours, and anyone can try it. The result is a social media-compatible creation that doesn't just present a problem, but also explores how we can get closer to a solution.
Within the framework of this initiative, young people tackled a wide range of topics. In several settlements, issues such as sparse public transportation, the lack of sidewalks, limited community spaces and leisure activities, substance use, and the absence of grocery stores are all daily challenges for residents. Naturally, the question arises: does this lead to any actual results? The answer is a resounding yes. In Tomor—a small village of two hundred people and one of the project's locations—the power of speaking out and public visibility brought about tangible change. In response to their requests, the renovation of the community center has begun, with electricity being installed in the building this month as a first step.
Furthermore, advocacy videos are not only effective for highlighting specific daily struggles, but they also provide a platform for young people to raise fundamental ethical and moral questions. Several videos explored human rights and the concept of freedom, reflecting on what freedom of expression, equal treatment, safety, and access to opportunities truly mean to them. These creative works empower youth to articulate their core values and understand their rights. Ultimately, the collaborative process sparks a vital dialogue about the social forces shaping their lives and the potential for a more just and free world.
The method has gained recognition not only in civil society but also in filmmaking circles: one of the advocacy videos, a short film titled 'Nina’s Gym,' won an award at the National Independent Film Festival. The story follows wealthy Nina, who wants to build a 'perfect' body, but since there is no gym in the village, she simply orders one for a large sum of money. The procurement process unfolds in the style of a reality show. The plot also features a romantic subplot that reaches its climax in a 'Pokémon battle' between Nina’s jealous boyfriend and a handsome reporter.
The Foundation was established in 1994 to support media education at ELTE University, though it operates independently of the institution. A core element of the Foundation’s work is strengthening Roma representation through the tools of amateur and participatory filmmaking; their most frequent methodology is participatory action research.
