What Makes a Film Truly Inclusive?

Author

Emma Bracegirdle

Date

July 28, 2025

Read Time

2 Minutes

Inclusion in filmmaking isn’t just about ticking boxes or adding subtitles at the end. It’s about creating content that welcomes everyone in, from who’s behind the camera, to who’s shaping the story, to who sees themselves represented on screen. So what does truly inclusive charity filmmaking look like? Let’s break it down.

Representation is Just the Start

Representation matters, but tokenism doesn’t. True inclusion means showing a diversity of people in meaningful, respectful ways. Are the people on screen portrayed with dignity, complexity and autonomy? Are their stories more than symbols or stats? In our work, we aim to reflect the richness of the communities charities serve without flattening them into clichés or over-simplified narratives.

Consent That Goes Beyond the Signature

An inclusive film process starts with informed, ongoing consent. That means:

Giving people clear choices about how they’re filmed and how their story is used
Creating time and space for them to ask questions or change their mind
Not pressuring someone into reliving trauma or performing gratitude.

We see consent as a conversation, not as a contract.

Co-Creation, Not Just Consultation

Inclusive films aren’t just about people, they’re shaped with them. That’s why we believe in co-creation. For us, that looks like:

Running workshops with people with lived experience
Giving contributors input on filming decisions and storytelling structure
Sharing early cuts and inviting feedback before anything goes public

It takes more time, but the result is a film that feels owned by the people it features, not just approved by them.

Trauma-Informed Storytelling

Many charities support people who’ve been through incredibly difficult things. When filming those stories, it’s vital to:

Avoid retraumatisation by keeping people in control
Prioritise emotional safety on set and during interviews
Steer clear of sensationalism, no need for “poverty p*rn” or “pain-as-drama”

We believe stories of strength, resilience and complexity are far more powerful than stories designed to shock.

Accessible in Every Sense

Inclusivity also means your film can be watched and understood by everyone. That includes:

Captions and clear audio
Avoiding overly complex language
Pacing content in a way that’s respectful to neurodivergent viewers
Designing for mobile and screen reader compatibility
Adding ALT text where appropriate to images

Accessible content is more inclusive and it performs better, too.

Inclusion is a Practice, Not a Perfect Outcome

At The Saltways, we know we’re always learning. Being inclusive is not a badge to wear — it’s a set of questions we ask ourselves every day:

Who is this story for?
Who gets to tell it?
Who might we be leaving out?

If your charity is ready to create films that reflect your values as much as your mission, we’d love to help.

Download our free guide Phone to Film – The Complete Guide to Creating Authentic Nonprofit Videos

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