What Is a Cellphilm? Integrating Mobile Phone Technology Into Participatory Arts–Based Research and Activism

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Cellphilms, videos made on (or with) a cellphone, are a promising—yet emerging –participatory arts-based research methodology. Using technology readily available in most communities, and located in the field of participatory video, cellphilms encourage public scholarship as researchers work with participants to create, analyze, and disseminate the work. Many aspects of cellphilm-making are familiar to participants who already use cellphones to photograph, film, and share their lives on social media platforms. Unlike the everyday use of cellphones, cellphilming responds to a deliberate prompt or concern. Acknowledging the opportunities for cellphilms to engage participants and researchers in public scholarship, this 90-minute session explores and theorizes cellphilm method through case studies in the contexts of Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico and South Africa.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Arts-Based Educational Research

Chair

• Katie MacEntee, McGill University

Papers

• Ourselves/Our Students: Cellphilming as Participatory Pedagogy in a Digital Age - Ashley DeMartini, McGill University; Claudia Mitchell, McGill University

• The Analytical Practices of Teacher and Student A/r/t/ographers Creating Cellphilms - Sean P. Wiebe, University of Prince Edward Island

• The Reflexive Eye: Cellphilms and Self-Study in Teacher Education - Claudia Mitchell, McGill University; Relebohile Moletsane, University of KwaZulu-Natal; Naydene De Lange, University of KwaZulu-Natal

• Remaining Anonymous: Using Participatory Arts-Based Methods With Migrant Women Sex Workers in the Smartphone Age - Vivian Wenli Lin, City University of Hong Kong

• Our Hong Kong Too! Disseminating Cellphilms in a Participatory Archive - Casey Megan Burkholder, McGill University

• "Out Here, It's All About Our Hustle": Cellphilms Redefining Film Production - April R. Mandrona, McGill University