Sam Feder, Peabody Award-nominated filmmaker and director of Disclosure and Heightened Scrutiny, discusses the power of representation, the responsibility of storytelling, and the role media plays in shaping public perception. Drawing from decades of work at the intersection of documentary filmmaking and advocacy, Sam reflects on trans visibility, media criticism, and the ways stories influence culture, policy, and social change. He explores the importance of centering the voices of those most affected by the stories being told, the ethics of representation, and the creative principles that guide his work. The conversation also examines the future of documentary filmmaking, the challenges facing independent creators, and what it means to create without asking permission.

Timestamps:

2:26 The Court Case That Changed Everything
4:06 Documenting Injustice Through Photography
8:45 From Activism to Filmmaking
11:36 The Mission Behind Disclosure
13:56 Understanding the Fight Over Trans Healthcare
15:47 How Media Shapes Public Policy
17:36 Building Films with Community at the Center
22:42 Moving Beyond Trauma Narratives
24:45 Using Film as a Tool for Change
29:04 The Future of Documentary Filmmaking
33:26 Storytelling from Within a Community
34:40 What It Means to Be Unapologetically Creative
37:21 The First Time Media Got It Wrong
38:36 Representation, Policy, and Power