29 YOUTH PROGRAMS FOR BLACK FILMMAKERS
Check out this curated list of youth programs tailored for Black or BIPOC filmmakers. Explore the impact of these transformative programs, igniting the aspirations of future Black storytellers.
Programs are listed in alphabetical order. If you would like us to add a program to this list please e-mail us at info@blackfilmspace.com
Curated by Antoinette Wade & Reggie Williams.
Photo from Black Girls Film Camp
5 SHORTS PROJECT
LOCATION: PHILADELPHIA
The 5 Shorts Project is a fiscally sponsored 501(c)3 creative initiative based in Philadelphia, PA that teaches BIPOC emerging filmmakers how to make short films.
Founded in 2014 with the mission to make filmmaking accessible for underserved communities, the project features a diverse range of genres, styles, and voices. Each year, a curated selection of short films is screened at various venues in the city, creating opportunities for filmmakers to share their work with a wider audience. Through their commitment to promoting independent filmmaking, the 5 Shorts Project has become an important contributor to the cultural landscape of Philadelphia.
AFTER SCHOOL ARTS PROGRAM
LOCATION: BOSTON
By fostering leadership and team-building abilities, ASAP prepares students for diverse entry-level job opportunities in creative industries such as film and journalism. With a focus on building pathways for underemployed youth, ASAP is committed to nurturing civic engagement and facilitating a smooth transition to a productive life beyond school.
Atlanta Film Society - Cinecamp ATL
LOCATION: ATLANTA
This program is designed to cultivate an interest in filmmaking from pre- to post production through hands-on youth education for rising 9th-12th graders. By the end of the 2-week program, students will have worked in teams to complete one short film per team that will screen at the conclusion of the program. ATLFS offers five scholarships for the CineCamp ATL program. Scholarships cover 100% of the cost of registration. Decisions are weighted toward underserved communities (i.e. African American/Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latin, Indigenous/Native American, LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Women, Multicultural).
Baltimore Youth Film Arts
LOCATION: BALTIMORE
The Baltimore Youth Film Arts Program offers Baltimore City residents ages 16 to 29 the opportunity to learn camera skills, refine storytelling techniques, and create films and photographs to be shared at public screenings and exhibitions, and on the program website. Participants are paid stipends for their contributions and receive certificates for successful completion.
BAYCAT
LOCATION: BAY AREA. CALIFORNIA
BAYCAT addresses racial, gender and economic inequity by creating powerful, authentic media while diversifying the creative industry. Through the education and employment of low-income youth, young people of color, and young women in the Bay Area, and producing media for socially-minded clients, they are changing the stories that get shared with the world.
Being Black in Canada
LOCATION: VARIOUS CITIES IN CANADA
The Fabienne Colas Foundation’s Being Black in Canada program offers professional mentorship in the audiovisual production of a short film with the theme of “Being Black in Canada.” Up to 35 new young, promising Black filmmakers in Montreal, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, and Vancouver (5 per city, and 10 in Montreal – 5 francophones and 5 anglophones) will be guided through the many steps of audiovisual production (screenwriting, directing, editing, post-production, etc…), and will create a documentary short from 8 to 10 minutes. This process will be carried out under the professional tutelage of industry professionals with professional equipment.
Big Picture Alliance
LOCATION: PHILADELPHIA
Big Picture Alliance uses digital filmmaking to engage, educate and empower over 200 youth every year through their award-winning after school, workforce, and summer programs across Philadelphia. They partner with schools, cultural institutions and social service agencies to bring filmmakers into classrooms and communities to teach collaborative filmmaking through a hands-on project-based curriculum. Youth develop digital literacy and 21st Century skills through producing original films from script to screen – writing, shooting, and editing original films that communicate their perspectives which they present through industry field trips, screenings and broadcasts.
Black Girls Film Camp
LOCATION: HYBRID
Black Girls Film Camp (USA) provides a FREE, national, and hybrid 16-week experience (held once a year) where high school Black girls across the country pitch a story idea, and a final ten are selected to have their short film project produced by the program. Over 200 Black girls across the country applied for the 2023 camp and 10 finalists were selected to direct and develop their own short films. The camp is an incubator for the 10 girls and each of their films.
Black Girl Film School
LOCATION: VIRTUAL
The mission of Black Girl Film School is to increase the number of Black women working and leading in the film, tv, and media industries by designing inclusive learning experiences for girls 13-17 to learn filmmaking and technical skills from behind the camera. They deliver their rigorous filmmaking curriculum 100% online. They maintain an accessible, free learning experience for the student. Their courses and programs specialize in technical and creative production – emphasizing behind-the-camera roles.
DIVERSO
LOCATION: VIRTUAL
Diverso is a nonprofit organization, by students and for students, dedicated to changing the face of entertainment by empowering the next generation of underrepresented storytellers. The Diverso Fellowship is taking all of the best features of their past initiatives and creating a bold new program to boost new writers. Their goal is to empower the next generation of underrepresented storytellers to change the face of the entertainment industry
FILM2FUTURE
LOCATION: LOS ANGELES
Film2Future is a nonprofit that delivers professional-level filmmaking programs for under-served teenagers in Los Angeles. Their mission is to diversify the entertainment industry workforce and inspire future filmmakers. Each F2F student graduates with a creative reel, competitive resume, networking and interview skills, and an industry mentor.
Ghetto Film School
LOCATION: NEW YORK CITY
Ghetto Film School (GFS) is an award-winning nonprofit founded in 2000 to educate, develop and celebrate the next generation of great storytellers. With locations in New York City, Los Angeles and London, GFS equips students for top universities and careers in the creative industries through two tracks: an introductory education program for high school students and early career support for alumni and young professionals. GFS annually serves over 8,000 individuals, 14-34 years of age.
Lil’ FIlmmakers
LOCATION: PHILADELPHIA
Lil’ Filmmakers Inc.’s mission is to train young artists to use media and the arts as a tool to overcome societal and personal barriers and prepare them for career opportunities in the creative industry.
MediaMKRS
LOCATION: NEW YORK CITY
MediaMKRS is the workforce development program within Reel Works. The MediaMKRS program was launched in 2019 as a partnership between the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, the City University of New York, media companies and The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and to train, credential and prepare talented New Yorkers for careers in media and entertainment.
NewFest YouTH SCREENINGS
LOCATION: New York City
Through short films and talkbacks with filmmakers, this program creates visibility for marginalized and underrepresented communities, and fosters the development of empathy, agency, advocacy, allyship, and self-empowerment through LGBTQ+ stories. Fully curated by NewFest, in-school screenings encourage media literacy and social responsibility, and provide LGBTQ+ youth with role models of queer excellence.
NFFTY
LOCATION: SEATTLE
NFFTY advances and connects talented young filmmakers worldwide.
They seek to disrupt systems of inequity in the film/media arts industry. Founded to address discrimination against young film professionals, they celebrate and elevate work by women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other young persons from traditionally marginalized communities at a crucial stage in their emergence as an artist and storyteller. They ensure that emerging filmmakers are represented and given a platform to share their perspectives.
Outside the Frame
LOCATION: PORTLAND, OREGON
They offer a creative outlet, job skills, an audience and a sense of dignity and possibility through filmmaking. Because if youth experiencing homelessness can make films, they can do anything.
OYA Emerging Filmmakers Program
LOCATION: ONTARIO, CANADA
OYA Emerging Filmmakers Program is financially supported by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism under the Black Youth Action Plan, Corus Entertainment and xoTO. Their goal is to support Black youth in the digital media, film and television industry by providing mentoring and networking opportunities as well as on-site training with production companies, broadcasters and film department heads. Participants must demonstrate a serious interest in pursuing a career in the sector. Their program focus is in three areas: Technical, Creative Storytelling & Production Administration Skills. They provide Black youth with opportunities to enter all levels of the industry as well as match employment opportunities with education and personal aspiration to help them move beyond entry level positions once they get their foot in the door.
POV
LOCATION: ONTARIO, CANADA
POV partners with talented youth to champion diversity and inclusion within content production industries by increasing access to skills training, job placements, mentorship and professional development opportunities.
RAW ART WORKS - REAL TO REEL PROGRAM
LOCATION: LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS
Through an aesthetic, emotional, and technical exploration of cinema, Real to Reel (R2R) students creatively engage in the art of visual storytelling. Their teens are able to validate their own stories and experiences through the creation of honest and often deeply personal films. From pre-production through post-production, their students learn the responsibilities of preparing, shooting, finishing, and exhibiting a film. They learn what it really means to say, "I'm a filmmaker”.
REEL WORKS
LOCATION: NEW YORK CITY
Reel Works mentors, inspires, and empowers underserved NYC youth to share their stories through filmmaking, creating a springboard to successful careers in media and beyond. Reel Works matches teens 1:1 with professional filmmaker mentors to tell their stories and have their voices heard. It’s a powerful combination that changes young lives and creates films that have been seen by tens of millions of viewers worldwide.
REEL YOUTH FILM CAMP
LOCATION: SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Reel Youth Film Camp offers fun, hands-on, and educational film programs for BIPOC youth. They focus on enrolling BIPOC youth from underserved neighborhoods in Central and Southeast Seattle. Their film programs encourage, mentor, and teach students the fundamentals of storytelling through the medium of film. Courses offer one on one instruction, engaging group sessions, and hands-on training. Reel Youth Students taking part in our Film Camps will storyboard, write, produce, direct and act in their very own short film!
Rising Reels
LOCATION: SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Rising Reels works with kids to draw out their passion in film, whether it’s in front or behind the camera. Their in-person film camps and after school programs are located within the communities that they serve. They recognize that BIPOC youth thrive when they are taught in familiar surroundings and mentored by qualified instructors where the majority look and sound like they do; instructors who understand the challenges and nuances unique to people of color.
SFFILM’S Youth FilmHouse RESIDENCY
LOCATION: SAN FRANCISCO
SFFILM Education’s Youth FilmHouse Residency, in partnership with SFFILM Makers, is an annual program that begins in the Fall semester for Bay Area students grades 9–12 who identify themselves as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC) and are excited to explore careers in film and filmmaking. Throughout the residency, students will engage with SFFILM Makers residents, SFFILM staff in other departments, film industry professionals, and a dynamic curriculum that balances practical skills like production strategy and technique along with trainings, panels, and lectures that highlight industry knowledge and possible career paths through our artist network.
SIFF Mobile Filmmaking Camps
LOCATION: SEATTLE
Since 2012, SIFF’s Crash Mobile program has offered BIPOC youth ages 10–18 free film production workshops brought to them from within their own communities.
Take One Youth Film Mentorship Program
LOCATION: PHILADELPHIA
“Take One” Youth Film Mentorship Program, powered by The Philadelphia Film Factory (Philm Factory) in partnership with We Embrace Fatherhood, provides local youth with various educational opportunities to gain empirical film experience with training, professional and personal development, and exposure to the business of film. Take One’s unique programming incorporates a gamified learning experience for all of their trainings.
THE LOOP LAB
LOCATION: BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
The Loop Lab is a BIPOC-led nonprofit social enterprise specializing in media arts internships and digital storytelling in Greater Boston. Their mission is to empower Womxn and People of Color in the media arts to develop careers in audio/video through job training and job placement.
THE CHA+DEPAUL YOUTH PARTNERSHIP
LOCATION: CHICAGO
Since 2016, the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) has partnered with DePaul’s Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media to offer youth in public housing valuable skills in cinema, game and graphic design. Through the six-week summer intensives, high school-aged students are trained by their award-winning faculty, mentored by our graduate students, visited by industry guest speakers, and taken on a number of experiential field trips to get inspired by our city’s rich arts culture. At the core, the programs are designed to provide new economic pathways for minority youth and to provide them with the tools to share their voices with the world.
Youth FX
LOCATION: ALBANY, NEW YORK
Youth FX is designed to empower young people ages 10-25 by teaching them the technical and creative aspects of digital filmmaking and media production. Based in the City of Albany, NY, their primary mission is to work with diverse groups of youth from communities that have been historically underserved and in need of opportunities to learn filmmaking and acquire skills in emerging media technologies. Youth FX hands-on programming develops leadership skills, creativity, and critical thinking, through the collaborative and artistic process of making films, amplifying the voices of young people in the capital region of New York State and around the world.