Lillian Rosa: About the impact of art and the art of impact - Social Impact Documentaries – Produktionsbedingungen, Strategien und Entwicklungspotential

Lillian Rosa's scientific-artistic research project investigates production conditions, strategies and development potential of social impact documentaries.

The goal of the doctoral project is to scientifically and artistically research the question of what distinguishes Social Impact Documentaries and what opportunities and risks they entail for documentary film production in Germany. 

For Social Impact Documentaries (SIDs), documentaries that explicitly aim to bring about "positive social change", there are far-reaching ecosystems for production, financing and exploitation in parts of the world. Ethical issues run through all areas, but often independent, culturally and artistically valuable films are produced. In Germany, there is a lack of new alliances for SIDs as they are forged in other countries. 

The scientific work explores the forms and strategies of SIDs in the USA, Great Britain and Germany on the basis of existing scientific studies, self-disclosures by SID institutions and expert interviews which are to be conducted. Which typical production conditions, campaigns and effects can be identified in comparison and can conclusions be drawn to what extent the genre could be further developed in Germany? 

"For years I have been fascinated by the development of SIDs as well as their absence in Germany. I wonder if it would be possible and make sense to found an institution for SIDs in Germany. For this purpose, I would like to research SIDs, their chances and risks, as comprehensively and resiliently as possible." (Lillian Rosa)

  • Project lead: Lillian Rosa
  • Contact: contact(at)lillianrosa.com 
  • Website: www.lillianrosa.com
  • CV:  Writer, director, producer, graduate of the Academy of Media Arts Cologne, lives in Berlin. Her award-winning work focuses on documentaries for cinema, TVand internet; the films have been shown at various international festivals. Bringing projects with socio-political topics to life is her passion. Lillian Rosa is a Villa Aurora Fellowship awardee, guest lecturer at universities, speaker at (panel) discussions, and publishes essays.
  • PhD Advisors: Prof. Dr. Jens Eder ,  Prof. Gesa Marten
  • Scientific / artistic PhD in the discipline: Film and Television Production