Weekly Program Every Thursday

*We are accepting applications through March 9 for our next projects – DOCUMENTARY FILM PRODUCTION & MINI-MOVIE! March 18 through May 27, you’ll learn the basics of unscripted and scripted shorts, get creative with storytelling, filming and editing, and premiere your short film at our June 3 end of year celebration event!

PS: One filmmaking team from this program will be selected to receive a 4-day expenses paid trip to attend a program at the Tribeca Film Festival with Fresh Films and AT&T. Participants will attend festival events, learn additional media-making skills from the team at Fresh Films, and develop their own content for AT&T.

Join us to learn skills that will set you up for success!

Through this program, you will become a better writer, storyteller, communicator, and expand your film and editing skills. You’ll collaborate with fellow young filmmakers across the country as you build your documentary and narrative film production skills and add content to your portfolio! No film experience or special equipment required. 

These projects will prepare you for future job & education opportunities in media (and as a bonus, we bet the skills you learn will help you make better social media posts too!)  Careers you’ll learn more about: videographer, editor, producer, screenwriter, digital storyteller, Youtuber, and many more!

What’s the commitment?
You’ll meet with the pros from Fresh Films and your fellow Chicago filmmakers once each week on Thursdays from 4-6:30 pm to learn new skills and create short film projects.

Twice each month on Wednesdays from 4-5 pm, you’ll meet to work on building skills to apply for jobs, make a stellar resume, ace your interviews, and feel confident in your ability to show up as your best self for job and education opportunities. 

(Note, we will be meeting virtually until at least January 1, 2021, due to Covid-19 restrictions, but will be in-person at the Best Buy Teen Tech Center at Little Black Pearl when we can! During remote program sessions, you will need an internet connection, and a smartphone or tablet.)

Summer 2021

Work on a real film set. Yep, the Chicago filmmaking group will come to a live film set for a week to work on full-length feature film Ghostland, written by Emmy-award winner Rick Cleveland. You’ll put your skills to the test in every role on set, from camera, lights & audio to assistant directing & producing. You’ll leave the week with a true sense of how a film crew functions and all of the jobs on set. (This is usually everyone’s absolute favorite part — it’s a BLAST!)

Earn a paid internship. For those participants who have honed their craft all year and shown they’re ready to level up, we’re going to match you with a local media organization to work on a paid project and learn from other professionals in the field. Past internships have included work with independent filmmakers, casting & talent directors, editing houses, marketing teams, and non-profit organizations looking for creative video content!