Bloom Documentary Film Screening and Conversation
Join three expectant parents and their doulas in “Bloom,” a documentary film journey toward safe, confident childbirth. Explore the vital role doulas play in bridging medical gaps, offering educated advocacy that safeguards against trauma and can be life-saving, especially for BIPOC birthing parents. In a climate of challenging reproductive care, “Bloom” celebrates those transforming healthcare, making it accessible and positive.
This session is sponsored by:
Watch the Trailer
Following the film screening, ShLanda Burton, the film’s executive producer, and DONA Advanced Certified Doula, will lead a conversation about the critical work of education and advocacy in the birth space. The film directors will also be in attendance and will take some questions from attendees!
ShLanda Burton
B.S., NDTR, AdvCD(DONA),Executive Producer, Panel Speaker
ShLanda Burton, executive producer, is an advanced certified birth doula and trainer candidate, reproductive justice advocate, and executive director of the National Birth Coalition. Her background in both doula care and advanced degrees in nutrition make her uniquely qualified to speak to the causes and implications of maternal healthcare disparities. She aims to empower and advocate for the most effective, evidence-based, culturally competent policies that improve outcomes for parents and babies.
Elizabeth Miller-Derstine
MFA Documentary Film, Panel Speaker
Elizabeth is a documentary filmmaker drawn to intimate human portraits and stories centering resilience. She recently received her Master of Fine Arts in Documentary Film from Wake Forest University, where she found a passion for documentary ethics and history. She approaches all of her projects with deep consideration of the extractive history of the documentary field. Elizabeth won Best Director award for her documentary short, “Welcome to the Dollhouse” (2020), at both the Atlanta DocuFest and Hoosier Films Festival. You can view more of her work on her website.
Allison Rieff
MFA Documentary Film, Panel Speaker
Allison Rieff is a documentary filmmaker and recent graduate of Wake Forest University’s Documentary Film Program, where she received her Master of Fine Arts. Each story she tells spotlights a different aspect of the human experience, linking history to contemporary emotions and attitudes. Allison worked as an intern and production assistant for Firelight Films and Alabama Public Television.
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