The international panelists share their journeys navigating the intersection of storytelling, ethics, and impact, with the documentary genre blending emotion, urgency and responsibility.
At the 9th International Photography Festival (Xposure 2025) in Sharjah, a panel discussion titled Filmmaking for Change: Documentaries That Matter brought together filmmakers Rick Smolan, Jerome Pin and Dennis Schmelz to explore the influence of documentaries in capturing untold stories and reshaping global perspectives. In a world of increasing media fragmentation, documentaries remain a powerful tool for raising awareness and driving social change.
French filmmaker Jerome Pin, known for his work in war zones and environmental crises, talked about the importance of giving a voice to the unheard. Reflecting on his early experience documenting refugees in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, he recalled a moment of moral conflict when he momentarily set aside his camera to assist UNICEF workers. Ultimately, he reaffirmed his role as a journalist, believing that his responsibility was to shed light on these crises. His documentary later became crucial evidence for Human Rights Watch in investigating crimes against humanity.
Schmelz, known for his visual compositions showcasing the grandeur of hidden destinations, spoke about how his lens has shifted. “For much of my career, I worked in tourism, capturing beautiful places and selling dreams. But I began to feel like something was missing,” he said.
From working on a commercial train project in India, Schmelz expanded his focus to include the stark socioeconomic contrasts he encountered. “I turned that trip into a personal project, creating a short film for YouTube about my experience. Unexpectedly, it went viral and resonated with almost half a million people, sparking the conversations I hoped for.”
Making documentaries that matter comes with another formidable challenge: financing. Photojournalist Smolan, famed for his iconic “Day in the Life” photography books, shared a more entrepreneurial approach, and commented: “When no traditional publisher would touch my idea, I approached corporate sponsors. I told them, ‘Your sponsorship will give you visibility, not editorial control.’ To my surprise, many companies agreed. That strategy unlocked massive resources while safeguarding integrity. And once the project was complete, those same sponsors became my biggest marketers, enabling me to reach audiences globally.”
Still, Smolan acknowledged the shift younger filmmakers face today. “We live in an era of TikTok and short-attention-span theatre,” he said. “Audiences demand bite-sized stories, but social change doesn’t come in 30-second takes. It requires time to build empathy for people’s struggles. Despite YouTube’s power as a platform, it’s not always built for the investigative rigour some stories demand. That’s where the traditional long-form documentary still holds its power.”
Social issue films also face an uphill battle in convincing backers of their value. But the responsibility of telling these stories remains more urgent than ever. Schmelz advocated authenticity over chasing trends. “The subject has to mean something to you. If you’re just making films for clicks or virality, it shows. But if the cause is real to you, the audience will feel it,” he said.
Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB) Xposure 2025 is taking place in Aljada, Sharjah until February 26.
