filmmaker | DADvocacy Consulting

Scott Beller, Editor and Contributing Writer

Since February 2020, the DADDYING blog has provided weekly commentary, personal narratives, reviews, research, poetry, and other creative expressions from a diverse group of colleagues, guest writers, and experts to promote the benefits of lifelong Dad involvement for kids, families, and communities.

I Left San Francisco for Colorado Springs. It Changed How I See Democracy

Youth Documentary Academy founder Tom Shepard writes about how he's been inspired by the diverse stories of his filmmaking students and other young people and what our country's leaders could and should learn from them.

Allan Shedlin

Jul 30

How I Made a Short Film as a Single, Full-Time Dad When Time, Money, and Energy Are Gone

Award-winning filmmaker Andrew Coughlin explains how he is inspired to keep creating despite his scarcity of time and resources as a single Dad. His short film, "The Small Hours," won the 2026 Daddying Film Festival & Forum's Roy R. Neuberger Prize for Best Dad-Created Film.

Allan Shedlin

Feb 4

D3F Makes an Impact Because The Importance of Daddying Is Universal

Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin explains one of the many behind-the-scenes benefits of managing a festival with such universal appeal: forging diverse and lasting friendships.

Allan Shedlin

Oct 16, 2025

What Happens at the Daddying Film Forum Doesn't Have to Stay There

Daddying blog Editor Scott Beller previews the 3rd annual Daddying Film Forum at Bryn Mawr College, PA.

Allan Shedlin

Apr 24, 2025

Death, Taxes, and the Daddying Heart of a Documentary

Documentary filmmaker Justin Schein tells the daddying story at the heart of his award-winning film "Death & Taxes."

Allan Shedlin

Apr 17, 2025

The Daddying Backstory for My Documentary "THE BRAINWASHING OF MY DAD"

Award-winning filmmaker Jen Senko provides backstory to her film The Brainwashing of My Dad, a Daddying Film Fest 2025 official selection.

Allan Shedlin

Apr 8, 2025

What Would A Father Do for His Daughter?

Filmmaker Adam Fried is inspired in his personal and professional life by his daughter and his own experience with an absent dad.

Allan Shedlin

Oct 8, 2024

Welcome to The Daddying Film Festival's Leap Year

editor Scott Beller explains why, in 2024, the D3F can afford to take a leap of faith. Spoiler alert: it's the quality films and filmmakers!

Allan Shedlin

Mar 8, 2024

Measures of Daddying Film Festival Success: They Keep Coming Back

Daddying Editor Scott Beller describes one of the many reasons to consider the Daddying Film Festival & Forum a success in its 2nd season.

Allan Shedlin

Jun 8, 2023

The Good, the Dad, and the Ugly: D3F Wants Stories Focused on Importance of Involved Dads

Daddying blog editor Scott Beller answers a question on the minds of student and dad filmmakers as they create their D3F submissions.

Allan Shedlin

Jan 26, 2023

Daddying Film Fest and Forum Pulls Back Curtain to Spotlight VIP Judges and Judging Process

Now that the Daddying Film Festival has opened its call for entries, editor Scott Beller highlights D3F's expert judges and judging process.

Allan Shedlin

Jan 19, 2023

A Grieving Father Seeks To Reveal the Wisdom of Trauma By Telling Stories of Others Like Him

With "We Were Here," filmmaker Robert Manganelli tells stories of dads like him grieving the loss of a child and seeks deeper wisdom.

Allan Shedlin

Oct 5, 2022

She Impresses Dad Most with the Way She Carries Herself

Daddying blog Editor Scott Beller celebrates his oldest daughter from afar on her 19th birthday.

Allan Shedlin

10 hours ago

The Day My Soul Crashed: A Father's Journey from Shattered to Serving

Alfred Niwagaba tells his story of being inspired by and caring for his son with special needs in Uganda.

Allan Shedlin

Sep 9

Distant Water Cannot Quench A Thirst

Nicholas Banura Aine writes about his struggles with long-distance parenting, which created deep emotional gaps with his children, one with autism, who needed his presence.

Allan Shedlin

Sep 2

Glad You're Here: A Love Note to My Youngest Daughter on Her 17th Birthday

Daddying blog editor Scott Beller writes a special note to his youngest daughter for her birthday, which coincides with back-to-school and the beginning of her high school senior year.

Allan Shedlin

Aug 28

Modern Childhood: Is The Next Generation of Kids Really The Loneliest One?

Guest writer Tessa Dodson highlights the complexity of modern childhood and offers parents practical guidance for supporting kids in building social connections through open communication, managed screentime, and unstructured play.

Allan Shedlin

Aug 19

The Dads and Sons of Summer

Poet and literary activist E. Ethelbert Miller debuts an original poem about baseball, Dads, and sons in this week's Daddying blog.

Allan Shedlin

Aug 12

I Left San Francisco for Colorado Springs. It Changed How I See Democracy

Allan Shedlin

Jul 30

Savoring the Privilege of Lifelong Daddying

Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin shares the joy of being a lifelong Dad, Granddad, and soon, a Great Granddad.

Allan Shedlin

Jul 30

With Our World in Metamorphosis, Those End-Of-Summer Butterflies Remain the Same

Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin welcomes back-to-school season and those end-of-summer butterflies with an open mind and open arms.

Allan Shedlin

Jul 23

What Happened to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness?

Daddying editor Scott Beller laments the continued human rights abuses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including murders this past week of Johan Sebastian Duran Guerrero and Lorenzo Salgado Araujo.

Allan Shedlin

Jul 16