Film Series | Feb 20 to Mar 27, 2026 at Mary Gates Hall 389 (MGH 389)
Explore powerful storytelling through new documentaries from four Northwest directors in a new screening and conversation series presented by UW Communication Leadership. Each event pairs a documentary screening with an in-depth, interactive conversation facilitated by Communication Leadership faculty member Jordan Melograna.
Together with the filmmakers, audiences will explore the social, political, and environmental issues at the heart of each film, how the filmmakers approach their craft, and how documentary work can create impact beyond the screen — influencing public conversations, supporting education and advocacy, and strengthening community dialogue.
Screening Schedule & Films
February 20 — Dysmocracy: The Fight Over Fluoride
In attendance: Jordan Melograna (Director/Producer) & Christa Hillstrom (Producer)
Set in Port Angeles, WA, Dysmocracy follows an intense local debate over water fluoridation that gets so heated it threatens to destroy the town government, one of hundreds of fights over fluoride that have played out across the country. But this is about much more than fluoride – it’s about how passions over one issue can hijack political discussion, and how that leads to the broader struggle over science, trust, civil liberties, and democratic decision-making.
Audiences will be able to respond to the film in real time and share their thoughts during conversation with the filmmakers throughout the screening.
February 27 — Boys on the Inside (select scenes)
In attendance: Elliat Graney-Saucke (Director/Producer)
Christina, Sebastian and Sarah discovered their ‘boy’ identity while in women’s prison. Now on the outside they come together to face the long-term impact of incarceration as Latinx butch and trans masculine survivors, reclaiming their narratives through recovery and healing. This screening will feature select scenes from the new documentary, 17 years in the making.
Discussion will focus on relationship-based storytelling, ethical collaboration with participants, and how to manage long-term documentary work.
March 20 — True Dawgs: A Garfield Story
In attendance: Marley Tullis-Monetta (Producer)
After gun violence at Garfield High School in Seattle, students use storytelling to process trauma, build solidarity, and assert control over their own narrative. True Dawgs centers youth voices and collective authorship, raising questions about representation, care, and the power of documentary as a tool for community healing and change.
March 27 — The Island of the Shark: Guardians of Malpelo + Bonus Shorts
In attendance: Annie Crawley (Director/Producer/DP)
With breathtaking underwater cinematography and raw storytelling, The Island of the Shark: Guardians of Malpelo immerses audiences in one of Earth’s last wild sanctuaries – capturing harrowing encounters with illegal fishing, powerful partnerships between conservationists and the Colombian Navy, and the deep emotional connection between humans and the ocean. Beyond its beauty, the film is a rallying cry—urging nations, divers, and everyday citizens alike to defend sharks before it’s too late.
Conversation will explore environmental storytelling, science communication, and the role of visual media in conservation action.
Why attend?
- Discover new documentary work by Northwest filmmakers
- Engage directly with filmmakers in post-screening conversations
- Learn how documentaries are crafted for impact
- Connect with a community passionate about storytelling for change
For any questions related to the event, or partnership inquiries, please contact: commlead@uw.edu.
Register now to secure your spot and join the conversation!
University of Washington
Department of Communication