UNDIP, Semarang (2/8) – Diponegoro University (UNDIP) continues to demonstrate its commitment to encouraging the quality of documentary film production as a means of education and community empowerment. Through the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), UNDIP sees film not only as a form of artistic expression, but also as an effective medium in voicing social issues and developing the capacity of local communities in telling stories and recording reality critically and creatively.

As part of this effort, FISIP UNDIP organized the International Community Service 2025 under the theme “Documentary Film Production for Local Film Communities”. This activity presented an international speaker, Dr. Dag Yngvesson, an academic and documentary film practitioner from The University of Nottingham Malaysia who is experienced and involved in many community-based film projects. His presence provided a global nuance in the training which aimed to strengthen the technical skills and critical understanding of participants regarding documentary film production.

The activity took place for three days offline, starting on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at the FISIP UNDIP Campus, Tembalang. The event was opened with remarks from the Dean of FISIP UNDIP, Dr. Drs. Teguh Yuwono, M.Pol.Admin., and the Head of the Department of Communication Science, Dr. Agus Naryoso, S.Sos., M.Si. The first day was filled with presentations of basic material about documentary film pre-production. The second and third day sessions focused on film production and editing practices, designed to provide direct experience for participants in creating documentary works relevant to local issues.

This activity was the result of collaboration carried out by lecturers of the Department of Communication Science, Dr. Hapsari Dwinintyas Sulistiyani, Dr. Lintang Ratri Rahmiaji, M Bayu Widagdo, M.I.Kom, Irawati Sri Wulandari, M.I.Kom, and Naomi Putri Bahari Simeon, M.I.Kom.

The participants consisted of junior high school students, high school students, university students, as well as members of film communities in Semarang City. They received intensive training starting from developing ideas and narratives, shooting, to the editing process. This training was designed in an applicative manner so that all participants could understand the production process comprehensively and be able to produce works with educational and social value.

The activity was closed with an interactive discussion session that provided a reflective space for participants to present their works and receive feedback from the speaker as well as fellow participants. This activity is expected to be the first step in strengthening the capacity of local communities in documentary film production as well as enhancing media literacy among the younger generation.

“Hopefully, through the SDGs Community Service activity, documentary filmmaking can become a first step for the socialization of SDGs issues through the works of local film communities,” said Dr. Hapsari Dwiningtyas Sulistyani, Head of the Media, Culture, and Gender Research Group.

Through this program, UNDIP affirms its role as a higher education institution that supports the development of society’s creative potential while at the same time encouraging the use of media as a means of sustainable social empowerment. (Public Communication/ UNDIP/ Rifat)