VV’s Community Video Camp 2009 was the first ever conference in India dedicated to community video. It was held from August 11th 2009 to August 14th 2009 at a resort in Goa, and community producers, NGO’s and students from all across India met to exchange ideas.

We at VV have been bringing our community video producers together for joint training workshops for the past few years. This year, we wanted to widen our group of participants and test the idea of community video as a movement. The response was overwhelming: more than 250 people applied for only 130 seats. We had applications from roughly 55 NGOs from all over India, all of whom wanted to get into community video. The interest was not just limited to India – people from across the world like USA, UK, Germany, Australia, Croatia, Italy also attended.

It was also an experiment in shared learning – what happens when “experienced” college students are in a classroom with Community Producers whose formal education level is quite basic? The students were inspired by the community video movement and it gave voice to their youthful aspirations of changing the world. The NGO workers became convinced of the potential of community video when they worked side by side with such articulate, empowered individuals. The community producers on the other hand got a chance to showcase their work, and receive feedback, most of which was very positive and confidence-bolstering. In this amazing mutually respectful environment, we all learnt better.

The workshops, panel discussions and the off-track events were also a part of the holistic package meant to develop critical thinking. The workshops brought out people’s creativity; panels, presentations and focus group discussions about community video and its future tickled people’s gray cells; award ceremonies recognized the social impact of community producers; open-mic events allowed people to relax and the amazing poolside areas allowed participants to socialize with the facilitators and each other.

To learn more:

Read the detailed blog post about the event

See the workshop details on our wiki page. All training materials and background information is here. We hope others will use the materials in their own community media trainings, or to put on similar events.