Project:NOK Ethical StoryteLling Policy

Purpose: This policy outlines my commitment to ethical and respectful practices in the research, creation, and sharing of my project, Next of Kin. As the work involves exploring personal and potentially sensitive ancestral histories, this framework ensures integrity, empathy and responsibility are at the core of the process.

1. Respect for Subjects and Their Legacy:

· I will approach the stories of my ancestors, and any individuals featured in archival materials, with respect and dignity.

· While the nature of historical research means full consent from deceased subjects is impossible, I will strive to represent their lives and contexts accurately and compassionately, avoiding sensationalism or undue speculation.

2. Handling Sensitive Themes:

· The project acknowledges themes of trauma, loss and social hardship. I commit to handling these narratives with care, focusing on resilience and understanding rather than gratuitous detail.

· When sharing the work publicly, I will provide clear content guidance (e.g., a brief content note at the film's beginning) to allow audiences to make an informed choice about their engagement.

3. Transparency of Interpretation:

· I will be transparent about the creative and interpretive nature of my work. The film is a poetic essay that blends factual research with personal reflection; I will make this clear to audiences, distinguishing between historical record and artistic interpretation.

4. Audience Interaction and Feedback:

· For any future community engagement or audience feedback sessions, I will create a respectful environment. I will set clear guidelines for discussions to ensure they remain constructive and empathetic, particularly when people are sharing their own personal stories in response.

By adopting this policy, I ensure that Next of Kin is not only a creative pursuit but also a responsible and ethically grounded one.