Voices of Survival: A Conversation with Filmmaker James Coney

Update: 2025-10-30

Description

Ep #92: Voices of Survival — A Conversation with Filmmaker James Coney

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This episode of noseyAF was recorded live on Lumpen Radio on October 25, 2025, and features filmmaker James Coney, founder of Joyful Rebellion Films and creator of the short film “There Are No Words”.

The film takes inspiration from Chanel Miller’s powerful victim impact statement, and James joins me to talk about what it means to tell survivor-centered stories with care, empathy, and intention. We get into how he brought together 35 actresses to collectively voice Chanel’s words, how filmmaking can serve as healing, and why representation behind the camera matters just as much as what we see on screen.

It’s a tender, thoughtful conversation about the ways art can open hearts, challenge silence, and spark community healing.

What We Talk About

How “There Are No Words” came to life
James’s creative process and why he chose 35 actresses to share Chanel Miller’s words
What it means to create a safe and supportive set
The connection between filmmaking, empathy, and activism
How storytelling can inspire understanding and change

Things We Mentioned

“Know My Name” by Chanel Miller

All About James Coney

James Coney has been a movie lover since childhood — Amadeus was his first big-screen obsession. After earning a film degree from Columbia College Chicago, he worked in TV production on shows like Judge Mathis, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Steve Harvey, and America’s Got Talent.

In 2015, he founded Joyful Rebellion Films — a company committed to fearless storytelling that challenges silence and celebrates authenticity. There Are No Words continues that mission by amplifying the voices of survivors and using film as a tool for empathy and awareness.

🎬 Instagram: @joyfulrebellionfilms

🌐 Website: joyfulrebellionfilms.com

Takeaways 💭

Art can be a form of healing. James shows how filmmaking can hold space for pain, reflection, and transformation — both for artists and audiences.
Representation behind the camera matters. Centering women’s voices in every part of the process changed the way this story was told and received.
Listening is powerful. When we take the time to truly hear survivor stories, we open the door to empathy, connection, and lasting change.

Chapters

• 00:04 - Live from Lumpen Radio: Meet James Coney

• 03:29 - How “There Are No Words” Came to Be

• 19:33 - Filmmaking Through a Pandemic

• 28:26 - Building a Safe Set for Survivors

• 42:06 - Why Representation and Empathy Matter