Video Documentary 2026

Where Do We Go

After a federal injunction protects eight disabled residents from removal, a Berkeley encampment faces a renewed threat when a disease outbreak prompts the city to order another sweep. As the Berkeley Homeless Union fights to expand protections before a critical court ruling, residents confront a pressing question: if they are forced to leave, where do they go?

Director's note

This film grew out of observation and reporting. What began as documentation gradually became a deeper inquiry into how decisions made within institutions are experienced by people living with uncertainty. As filmmakers working within a journalism framework, we were drawn not only to the visible realities of life on the street, but also to the systems, policies, and pressures shaping those realities. Our intention was not to argue a position, but to witness and record a moment in time when competing responsibilities collided. Cities must respond to public health and safety concerns, while individuals living without stable housing must navigate survival within structures that often shift without warning. We approached this story with the understanding that both realities can exist simultaneously, and that documenting this tension requires patience, restraint, and careful listening. Working together as co-directors allowed us to balance perspectives and challenge our own assumptions throughout the process. We committed to grounding the film in reporting, verifying timelines, and seeking multiple viewpoints whenever possible. At the same time, we aimed to create space for moments of stillness and reflection, allowing the audience to sit with uncertainty rather than rushing toward conclusions. We believe documentary filmmaking, especially within a journalistic tradition, is not about delivering answers but about framing meaningful questions. This project reflects our shared interest in documenting lived experiences with care and integrity, while acknowledging the complexity that surrounds issues often reduced to headlines or statistics. Ultimately, this film is less about resolution and more about attention—about taking the time to look closely, listen carefully, and recognize the human weight carried within policy decisions. Our hope is that audiences leave not with certainty, but with a deeper awareness of the realities that exist alongside the systems meant to manage them.

Credits

Produced and Directed by:
Joshua Olawuyi
Charlie Wang