Wednesday saw the second instalment of DOC-CON, a monthly event showcasing documentary films by established directors, held this

month at the Hackney Attic, East London. The night promised five short films from four directors, with the makers present to introduce them and answer questions afterwards. Balang (The Beginning) by Dominic Brown A short film by an independent filmmaker based in the UK, Balang takes its name from a protest chant translated as This is just the beginning. The resistance continues. It explores the uprising following the Turkish governments announcement of plans to build a shopping centre and military barracks in Gezi Park in 2013, and the states violent response. The film features a large amount of on-the-ground footage and still images, including harrowing scenes of protestors facing tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons where five people were killed and over 8,000 injured. In less than seven minutes, the film does well to introduce the subject - especially the brutal police response - but lacks the depth and context provided by the next documentary. Ayaklanma (Rebellion) by Ceren Yilmaz The second film about Gezi Park is told through in-depth interviews with protestors from all walks of life. Split into sections, the documentary begins by focusing on the transformation of young Turkish people from (mainly) apathetic and depoliticised to active and awakened protestors. Ayaklanma covers a lot of ground in just over fifteen minutes, tapping into the historical context and symbolism of the proposed military barracks, the involvement of the arsi (Besiktas FC supporters), police brutality, and how social media has been used as an organisational tool as well as a means to give people the confidence to resist the dictatorial regime of Tayyip Erdogans AKP. One protestor exemplifies this with the comment, At the end of this resistance, the people have learnt that they are not alone. Yilmazs well-crafted and eye-opening documentary tells a bigger story of resistance in Istanbul through the words of the people at its heart. It doesnt shy away from the brutality and oppression that took place in Taksim Square, but has an overall positive and hopeful tone, summed up by a young protestors proclamation, Whenever our rights are violated, we will resist.

Tesrolinga by Matt Lindn A British photographer sets out to make an image book about gay rights and culture in Kathmandu with the help of LGBT rights organisation, Blue Diamond Society. A desire to make something more accessible and stumbling onto a large trans community, he ends up making a series of short films each featuring different transgender people and their stories. Two of this series, titled Tesrolinga (literally meaning third gender) were shown at DOC-CON. The first features Nilam, who describes how she came out, her Nepali pride and explains the difference between transgender people in Nepal and the Hijras in India. The second film follows Sophie, who describes her struggle to become a successful make-up artist. Both describe how they have received abuse, but share a pride in their identity as Tesrolingas. The director explained how he was keen to depict their stories in a positive light, as this is how they were in reality. He also explained Nepals progressive LGBT laws, being the first country in the world to bring the third gender into law. Tesrolinga is a fascinating insight into the trans community in Nepal, a society not often featured in the British press, and a positive story of two proud people.

Two Chimneys by Aephie Huimi The final documentary of the evening by Taiwanese film student Aephie Huimi, looks at the closure of the Lots Road Power Station and its legacy. With the help of former workers and a local photographer who has taken numerous pictures of it, the film explores the power stations impact on the community, its visual beauty and the loss experienced after its closure. Focusing mainly on its visual qualities, the film could benefit greater from the social consequences, but nevertheless it is beautifully shot and a good film to end the evening on.

It was a really fascinating evening with some great documentaries on varied subjects and illuminating speeches. Encouraged to ask questions of the filmmakers, the audience can participate in the conversation, though some are left speechless after a few powerful films. On the basis of Wednesday, the third DOC-CON should be a belter. Gutted I missed the first one now... DOC-CON is an informal meetup for anyone interested in, or working in, documentary production. By having grass-roots and established directors talk to audiences we aim to demythicise the film making process and demoractise the form. Above all we want to cultivate a community of people interested in documentary and journalism and the wider topics and issues associated with those projects. So far, our events have covered a range of themes; the rise of the EDL (English Defence League) and Tommy Robinson, the struggles of the LGBT communities in Nepal and in the Middle East, the uprisings in Turkeys Taksim Square, and the daily lives of the economically dispossessed in Manilas favelas. Each event features a series of film makers/speakers who will introduce and show their work, and sit for audience QnAs on the subjects raised, and how the made their films. At DOC-CON we are keen to further the idea of documentary as a means for social justice and change. As a film form, its roots began in the in the struggle against Nazi Germany when John Grierson, who coined the phrase documentary, was hired by the wartime British government to document how the countrys citizens lived. By highlighting the forms power to effect change we want to inspire the next generation of documentarians, the means of production and distribution of which, in the digital-age, have never been more widely available or more important to democratic struggles the world over. Louis Leeson, Host at DOC-CON London