The Labor Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is sponsoring a multi-faceted project titled “Visions of Labor: Film and Worker Voices” that employs the power of worker stories, told through film and video, to inspire reflection and spur creative worker action. In connection with this project, the Center is seeking film and video submissions that have recorded worker actions and activities. Selected submissions will be shown and utilized at a November 9-10, 2019 interactive event at the University, where workers and others will examine critical issues and actions in labor’s past, present and future. The selected submissions will also be featured on the Labor Center’s “Visions of Labor” website.

Rules & Terms

The Center particularly seeks works with footage that captures events and/or the recounting of events relating to labor activities and ways in which worker voices are or can be heard, including: workers coming together to take action, discussion and debate relating to workplace issues and actions, conflict resolution, strategy sessions, and all aspects and types of organizing. Videos do not have to be professionally produced; they can consist of enlightening footage taken by workers or others involved in or viewing parts of workers’ stories as they unfold. Any digital submissions by Western Massachusetts workers and submissions that cover events in this region will be of particular interest.

The Center does not view the selection process as a competition; criteria used for selection will be based on the ways in which the submissions relate to the project and can be used as educational and thought-provoking vehicles for the website and at the November 2019 event. Producers of the selected videos will be invited to attend the conference free of charge and to offer comments about their work and the story it tells.