Program Overview
For 11 years, Reel Stories has worked to close the gender gap in the film industry. At Reel Stories, young women and gender-expansive youth learn the craft of filmmaking, sharpen their media literacy, make industry connections, and create films that represent themselves and inspire others. Join us this summer to share your stories, your audience is waiting!
Camp Reel Stories is for girls and gender expansive youth ages 13-17, who are new to filmmaking - no experience required!
Campers work together in teams to write, film, and edit their own documentary or narrative films over the course of two weeks with the support of Reel Stories Staff and mentors. In addition to our staff-lead workshops, we invite experienced guest speakers from all aspects of the film industry to lead workshops and have exclusive Q&As with our campers. Past guest speakers have included Oscar winners Brenda Chapman and Lora Hirschberg, award winning directors Cathy Yan, Nijla Mumin, Screenwriter Kristy Lowrey and many others!
Camp concludes with a film festival at a local Bay Area theater where students screen their films for friends and family. Watch our films from last summer on our YouTube channel! After camp ends, Reel Stories staff submit camp films to festivals throughout the year. Reel Stories films have shown at film festivals such as: The Mill Valley Film Festival, POWfest, All-American High School Film Festival, Bay Area International Children’s Festival, Coven Film Festival, and many, many others.
Program Details
WHEN: June 17th - June 28th, 2024, 9:30am-3:00pm
WHERE: Oakstop, 1721 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
WHO: Young women and gender expansive youth ages 13-17
FILM FESTIVAL DATE: June 29th, 11:30-1pm, location TBD
Financial Aid and Scholarships:
No filmmaker is ever turned away due to lack of funds. If you need financial assistance for this program, please email YasamanFord@bavc.org to start a discussion about the options available for your student. We offer scholarship options and pay-what-you-can sliding scale tuition and do not require proof of income. Applying for financial aid will not affect your chances of getting into our camp and we encourage you to ask for assistance if you need it.