2021 Visual Storytelling (Smaller Newsroom) Winner

About the Winner:

Independent journalist and filmmaker Alec Fischer focused on sharing the experiences of individual workers within industries impacted by the pandemic in the Twin Cities region and throughout Minnesota as part of the original documentary series, COVID Confessions. As part of the project, he highlighted the lived experiences of Minnesota teachers during the first year of the pandemic.

Comments from the Judges:

“I was impressed by the progression of the piece. We learn how much these teachers care about their students and their mental health. The final shift is to the larger picture of social inequities and the remarkable optimism that America will respond once made aware of the inequities.”

“Very nice job getting educators, who were undergoing unprecedented circumstances, to talk candidly, (which) is difficult. “