AJAs 2024 Finalists
Resilience
| Slug/Label | Reilience |
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| Date Aired or Published | April 2nd, 2025 |
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| Location: | Dartmouth, NS |
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| Running time (TV/Radio): | 22:17 |
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Short explanation of the story and how it developed: Resilience is a short documentary that explores the consequences of human trafficking for sexual exploitation in Nova Scotia, focusing on the lived experience of Wyndolyn Brown, a survivor and victims' rights advocate. Through her testimony, the documentary reveals the systemic barriers faced by Black and Indigenous women in the province and the entrenched social conditions that perpetuate cycles of exploitation. Filmed in Halifax and surrounding communities, the documentary combines interviews, protest footage, and artistic visuals to highlight Wyndolyn's transformation from a survivor of trafficking, abuse, and addiction to the founder of Empowerment For Hope, an organization that now supports other women on their path to recovery. Given that Nova Scotia has the highest rate of police-reported human trafficking in the country, Resilience seeks not only to document personal survival but also to highlight the institutional gaps and the urgent need to address this issue. Magdalena Bastida's documentary highlights her commitment to meaningful and impactful journalism. Her skills, paired with her strong journalistic instincts, make her stand out from the rest. |
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Resources of the newsroom (money and time) available to complete the story: In their final semester, journalism students at NSCC undertake a major project that showcases the full range of skills they've developed in the Radio, Television, and Journalism program. This capstone project challenges them to conduct rigorous research to identify a socially significant topic and produce their own documentary. Over the course of four months, students take full creative and technical control—scripting, storyboarding, filming, and editing—to craft compelling, high-quality journalism. |
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