filmmaking | 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 to 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

5 days ago

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

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

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

'Tis the (Awards) Season and D3F Is Calling for Short Films from Kids and Involved Dads

Daddying Film Festival & Forum director Allan Shedlin announces 2023 call for entries will open to student and dad filmmakers on January 16.

Allan Shedlin

Jan 11, 2023

How We're Embarking on A Daddying Mission of JOY for the New Year

Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) Director Allan Shedlin rings in the New Year with a joyful daddying film recommendation.

Allan Shedlin

Jan 5, 2023

The Daddying Film Festival and Forum (D3F) is Ready For A Blockbuster New Year

The Daddying Film Festival has earned a sequel and has launched a website to prepare for another blockbuster year celebrating involved dads.

Allan Shedlin

Dec 14, 2022

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

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

Allan Shedlin

5 days ago

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

5 days ago

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

A Dad Still Going Along for the Ride

Daddying blog editor Scott Beller embraces his evolving role as a Dad, which will always include being his daughters' safe, reliable ride home.

Allan Shedlin

Jul 10

Something to Celebrate For America's Conflicted 250th: Principles of Our Founding Daddies

Daddying Film Fest founder Allan Shedlin longs for an America that not only celebrates landmark birthdays but also adheres to the inclusive and promising ideals its "founding fathers" clearly expressed in the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution.

Allan Shedlin

Jul 1

Many Aspects of Daddying Offer Positive Outcomes for Involved Fathers and their Kids

Senior Research Scholar for Child Trends, Dr. Mindy Scott, presents data evidence of the many positive outcomes related to Dads remaining involved with their children.

Allan Shedlin

Jun 25

Revisiting Our Unique Daddying Perspective: Four Fathers' Days Plus One

Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) director and founder Allan Shedlin celebrates Fathers' Day in a way different from many other Dads.

Allan Shedlin

Jun 17

A Daughter's Ode To Her Father and A Father Figure

Poet Kani Manoharan Veeramarthini honors her father and an influential father figure through her poetry.

Allan Shedlin

Jun 11

Processing My Son's Graduation from High School...in Poetic Verse

Poet, author, and Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) Dadvisor Hakim Bellamy commemorates his son's high school graduation in the best way he knows how: in poetic Dad verse.

Allan Shedlin

Jun 3