Justice4Reel (J4R)  Media Advocacy Free School is a community partner network (John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, MacEwan University, TELUS Storyhive, FAVA, and the Edmonton Short Film Festival) committed to the goals of critical digital media literacy realized through the amplification of often marginalized voices and underreported issues faced by Edmonton’s diverse communities. J4R brings together community advocates and human rights educators with DIY filmmakers to build technical skills and community coalitions to produce independent digital video art for change and resistance. 

Using an open call for submissions, we invite the community advocates, activists, and emerging filmmakers to pitch an idea or issue to address through film. J4R’s DIY filmmaker team nurtures these ideas using an activist media pedagogy to develop the necessary technical skills and self-confidence to bring those ideas to life. Using a DIY production process, a short film opens dialogue, educates, and shares solutions to systemic issues faced by communities. 

The films from J4R 2019-2020 alumni are screened at the Edmonton Short Film Festival, with some films becoming Official Selections and Award Winners at national and international film festivals. Each short film results from passionate and careful work, and we are proud and honoured to have this brilliant first group of graduates and short films.