Collective Remembering: The postcolonial potential of social media in activist films

Dziga Vertov's vision of documentary film capturing working-class people's experiences authentically can be seen as the precursor of activist films. Across film history, advancements in media technology and shifts in audience expectations have brought Vertov's vision closer to reality, particularly with the use of social media in activism. This paper is derived from my PhD research, applying a postcolonial lens to explore how social media amplifies diverse voices and fosters collective storytelling. Using the #EndSARS movement against police brutality as a case study, the paper examines the role of social media in the visual presentation of activism in Nigeria. Although the movement began in 2017, it gained significant momentum in 2020 through the widespread sharing of photos and videos. I used Instagram to identify and recruit diverse participants to collate their experiences for the production of a non-linear interactive platform. The platform – Networked Narratives – integrates personal perspectives into a network of short video clips, allowing viewers to navigate via varied entry points and comparison options. By moving beyond linear formats and democratising the filmmaking process through social media the platform exemplifies t