Short Film: Glad You're Here
This powerful 10-minute autoethnographic short film unfolds a traumatic story with raw, captivating honesty, offering both transparency and the possibility of new beginnings. Using 19 years of personal visual material, the film explores deeply personal experiences with abuse, transforming an extreme moment of crisis into a poignant documentary that not only addresses the filmmaker’s subjective perspective but also tackles the crucial issue of spousal abuse. While the story is uniquely her own, it resonates universally, illustrating how abuse escalates into violence and power—and how healing and starting over are possible.
Developed as part of a Master’s thesis in Documentary Filmmaking, the project was accompanied by a comprehensive thesis paper that explored its ethical, artistic, and personal dimensions. The film serves as a means of processing, coping, and reclaiming life, forging a new path forward while employing ethical storytelling practices that balance artistic expression with sensitivity and responsibility. One of the filmmaker's most effective choices was to establish shots and images before their significance is explained by narration, allowing the visuals to speak for themselves. By maintaining authenticity while delivering a visually compelling and emotionally resonant experience, Glad You're Here has not only bravely shared a personal story with the world but also created a beautiful legacy for the filmmaker’s daughter. The film has received multiple awards at international film festivals for its artistic and emotional impact.