King Students Explore Human Rights Through Documentary Filmmaking
History, storytelling, and documentary filmmaking converge in the upper school course Empowering Voices: Migration, Conflict, Resettlement & Testimony. The course, co-taught by history teacher Lindsey Rossler and Art and Design Chair Brady Shoemaker, challenges students to explore human rights, empathy, and the power of storytelling through oral history research, historical analysis, and nonfiction filmmaking.
“This class helped me understand the importance of being able to listen; too often, people's stories remain unheard,” said Lucas Pignotti Phillips ’27. “Each time I sat in one of those interviews, by listening, I learned something that I never could have learned from a textbook.”
The idea for the class was sparked when Rossler reached out to Shoemaker for support with a project in one of her history classes.
“When Lindsey asked for recording equipment to document the stories in her listening class, we saw an opportunity to be able to amplify human experiences through documentary filmmaking,” recalled Shoemaker.
The course was purposefully designed to respond to current global events, broadening students’ understanding of human rights beyond their local work.
“We often don't realize that most immigrants, specifically refugees, did not choose to leave their home and come to a foreign land,” said Noor Nomani ’27. “It makes me grateful that I have a choice as to whether or not I want to leave my home, to live in another state or another country. I have the freedom to choose to miss my home. I have the freedom to choose to be away from my family.”
In addition to local and global connections, Lucas and Noor joined classmates Phoebe Dai ’27 and Justina Marque ’27 to present a short film at Hunter College High School in New York City as part of its Human Rights Day programming last month. The students introduced the film, participated in a Q&A session, attended another presentation, and shared lunch with Hunter students before returning to Stamford.
“We often feel helpless when hearing stories about refugees and immigrants,” said Noor, reflecting on the experience. “This project made me realize how the smallest acts have a huge impact. As students who have a voice, it is our duty to help the unheard be heard.”
Rossler and Shoemaker said the interdisciplinary approach enhances students’ research, storytelling, and filmmaking skills while fostering empathy and a commitment to human rights. They continue to refine the curriculum each year and hope to expand opportunities to share students’ films with other schools, organizations, and policymakers.