Delivering a Message of Compassion Through Film

Allison Argo - Filmmaker (Director, Producer, Writer, Editor), ArgoFilms
Shawna Weaver, PhD - Outreach and Education Manager, ArgoFilms

Through the process of developing curriculum to accompany films, our speakers have come away with some educational hacks for teachers to use in introducing a film to their students. Participants will learn the best approaches to navigating difficult conversations about sensitive topics. These conversations come with emotional, social, and practical risks for children as well as for the educator. This session will offer an opportunity to discuss these risks and the approaches that best mitigate them.

As a veteran filmmaker with nearly 30 years of experience in speaking out for nonhumans through film, Allison Argo has learned how to take potentially difficult or dark topics and turn them into compelling, non-threatening journeys. Through National Geographic and PBS, her films have reached audiences of all ages. During this session, our speakers will share Allison's experience in creating stories about the lives and struggles of nonhuman animals. Since our society has become so deeply tied to video (from YouTube to PBS), it is critical that we offer positive and humane content. Making compassionate videos available - especially for educators' use in the classroom - is more important than ever before. This is the language of our youth. When used intentionally with a plan, we can utilize media that today's youth are primed to embrace. 

About our Speakers:
Allison Argo - Filmmaker (Director, Producer, Writer, Editor), ArgoFilms
Allison Argo is a six-time Emmy-winning filmmaker and advocate for non-human beings. For 30 years, her films have spoken out for the voiceless. Broadcast by PBS and National Geographic, Allison’s films have won over 80 awards internationally and have reached audiences worldwide, inspiring change. She is known for her emotionally-charged and deeply personal stories - particularly her intimate portraits of endangered and abused animals. Allison’s goal in making THE LAST PIG is to inspire compassion for all living beings. Other films include: The Urban Elephant; Chimpanzees: an Unnatural History; and Parrot Confidential.

Shawna Weaver, PhD - Outreach and Education Manager, ArgoFilms
Shawna Weaver is an educator with fifteen years of experience as a coach, counselor, researcher, and teacher. She is the humane education manager at Animal Allies Humane Society in Duluth Minnesota, and the outreach and education manager for ArgoFilms. She is currently working on a writing project about wild animals who live among people.

Links and Resources:

ArgoFilms

The Last Pig Film