John Beder

John Beder (he/him) is an Emmy-nominated Asian American documentary director specializing in participatory, community-centered filmmaking. His storytelling is rooted in themes of navigating identity, amplifying community stories of resistance, social justice, public health, and climate change. He is an active member of the Asian American Documentary Network, Documentary Producers Alliance, and The Video Consortium while serving as a Board Member of the local Chattanooga foundation ArtsBuild, a 2023 Tennessee Arts Commission Fellow, a 2023 Kartemquin Mentor (DVID), and a 2023 Southern Documentary Fund Mentor. As the co-founder of Bedrock Productions, a community-centered production company, he has directed three documentaries, including the poignant Emmy-nominated film Dying in Your Mother’s Arms. His recent project, How to Sue the Klan, is specifically focused on anti-oppression and fighting against hate groups. He is deeply motivated to illuminate issues of injustice, utilizing film as a tool for transformation and collective healing.