What movement within documentary filmmaking emphasizes personal storytelling and social engagement?

The movement within documentary filmmaking that emphasizes personal storytelling and social engagement is reflexive documentary. This sub-genre encourages filmmakers to reflect on their own involvement in the filmmaking process and acknowledges the impact of their perspectives on the subject matter. By doing so, reflexive documentaries invite viewers to consider the subjective nature of documentary filmmaking and how the filmmaker’s identity, emotions, and experiences shape the narrative.

In reflexive documentaries, personal storytelling is often used to create a deeper connection with the audience, allowing them to engage socially with the themes presented. This style can illuminate the nuances of the subject matter through the lens of the filmmaker's own experiences and insights, fostering a dialogue around the issues being explored. Such an approach champions individual viewpoints and actively encourages audience engagement with the social contexts of the stories being told.

In contrast, the other movements mentioned—expository, participatory, and observational—focus on different aspects of documentary filmmaking that do not inherently prioritize personal storytelling and social engagement in the same way that reflexive documentary does.