Methods and ethics of visual ethnography in the production of experiential and participatory films on intangible heritage

The most characteristic films within the UNESCO safeguarding paradigm of intangible heritage are the films1 in the nomination files, published on the UNESCO website after the elements are inscribed on the lists (UNESCO n.d.a. ICH Lists). Visual analysis has revealed the strong predominance of top-down, word-and-sentence-based illustrative films with the etic off-commentaries of professionals. The article calls for films produced within the UNESCO safeguarding paradigm to focus on heritage practitioners and their emic views. The author discusses the production of two experiential films, based on a collaborative approach of visual ethnography.