https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794120965374 Qualitative Research 1–18 © The Author(s) 2020 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/1468794120965374 journals.sagepub.com/home/qrj Q R A critical discussion of the use of film in participatory research projects with homeless young people: an analysis based on case examples from England and Canada Alastair Roy School of Social Work, Care and Community, University of Central Lancashire, UK Jacqueline Kennelly Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Carleton University, Canada Harriet Rowley Education and Social Research Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK Cath Larkins School of Social Work, Care and Community, University of Central Lancashire, UK Abstract The focus of this paper is on the complex and sometimes contradictory effects of generating films with and about young people who have experienced homelessness, through participatory research. Drawing on two projects – one in Ottawa, Canada, and the other in Manchester, UK – we scrutinise two key aspects of participatory research projects that use film: first, how to appropriately communicate the complexity of already-stigmatised lives to different publics, and second, which publics we prioritise, and how this shapes the stories that are told. Through a theoretical framework that combines Pierre Bourdieu’s account of authorised language with Arthur Frank’s socio-narratology, we analyse the potential for generating justice versus reproducing symbolic violence through participatory research and film with homeless young people. In particular, we scrutinise the distinct role played by what we are calling first, second Corresponding author: Alastair Roy, School of Social Work, Care and Community, University of Central Lancashire, Adelphi Street, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK. Email: anroy@uclan.ac.uk 965374QRJ 0 0 10.1177/1468794120965374Qualitative ResearchRoy et al. research-article 2020 Standard Article