Southwestern Ontario’s Banner Event for High School Filmmakers
October 22,2020Submit Page$4,000 in Prize Money will be given away!
The Forest City Youth Film Festival is a year round program where the filmmakers in Southwestern Ontario high schools will be supported and celebrated in a culminating fall event. We enhance skills and expose the talent of SWO youth while exposing a passion for film. While promoting an exceptional interdisciplinary opportunity, we will help this region to become renowned for our film talent.
Youth Filmmaker 101 Series
Youth Filmmaker 101 Series
A series of Youtube Livestream events that will give you the opportunity to learn a few filmmaking hacks and get lots of questions answered by young filmmakers and industry experts. Now is the time to be creative!
Making a movie is challenging, but it is currently easier than ever before. In fact, the technology might literally be in the palm of your hands.
Making a film will give you the opportunity to say something about YOUR life and the world YOU live in. It will give you a chance to be heard and to share YOUR specific feelings with the world. Find help here to get your project made and your voice heard!
Why Make A Movie?
From the cultural impact of your work, to the personal and professional impact on your life, making a film is a way to channel all kinds of skills and creativity to create your unique style of storytelling.
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How Can I Make A Movie?
Filmmaking may be a challenge, but it’s never been easier than before, thanks to technology and openly available resources. Learn how you can make the most of limitations in budget, equipment, and licenses.
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Things to Consider
What are some of the common mistakes you can avoid? Who is your audience? Now that you’ve made your film, what are the ways you can screen it and use it to jumpstart your film career?
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Youth Film Festival
Youth Film Festival
Storytelling has the power to educate, inspire, and foster empathy across cultures and ages. Making your own film empowers you to channel your creativity. FCYouthFilm believes in providing world-class opportunities right in our region, and has put together these resources on how you can integrate filmmaking in your curriculum.
Visit The Page
Team and History
Dorothy Downs, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Forest City Film Festival
Laura Briscoe, Co-Founder & Director 2018-2020, Thames Valley District School Board Innovation Coordinator, l.briscoe@tvdsb.ca
Educators are invited to connect with Laura if you require any support connecting Youth Film Festival resources in your classrooms.
Youth Film Festival Committee
Lydia McLory, FCYFF coordinator 2020
Katie Thibert, TVDSB Visual Arts Teacher & Designer
Elyse Booth, TVDSB Communications Technology & Arts Teacher
Candace Marzano, TVDSB Communications Technology Teacher
Daniel Santarella, LCDSB Communications Technology Teacher
Mark Vogelsang, OIART College professor
Joceyln Deng, TVDSB Student Coordinator
Emily Sun, TVDSB Student Coordinator
History
Co-founders, Laura Briscoe and Dorothy Downs first connected in 2018 to build this youth film festival. Dorothy had planned to include a youth film festival for Southwestern Ontario in FCFF since the inception of the festival. Laura was a passionate teacher looking to bring a school film festival board-wide in order to create opportunities for students to develop global competencies and empower their voices. It was a great connection and it made sense to elevate student voices to the entire region. The two gathered a committee of dedicated secondary school educators and quickly grew to include students, industry experts, and post-secondary support.
The TVDSB Community Connected Experiential Learning fund granted the Forest City Youth Film Festival assistance in its first year. This funding encourages learners to develop a deeper understanding of Ontario Curriculum, global competencies, student well-being, and career planning. This strongly impacted our launch and ability to reach students to make content accessible and inclusive. We have continued to work on the principles of accessibility and inclusivity since that time, and the foundation that TVDSB has given this festival is now proudly growing through all of Southwestern Ontario and beyond!
Experiential Learning coordinators throughout Southwestern Ontario have become interested in sharing the festival with students and educators to actively participate, reflect and apply their learning. Our education programs are now available throughout the province.
Today the festival continues to grow and inspire young minds. If you want to like to join our committee for this Youth Film Festival, please contact info@forestcityfilmfest.ca
With Thanks to the Following Organizations
The Sponsors for the Youth Festival are:
Fanshawe College supports the Narrative Category, The Animation Category, The Best Youth Performance Award
Western University Faculty of Information Studies supports the Documentary Category
Connor Kalopsis
Connor Kalopsis supports the Most Enterprising Young Filmmaker
St Thomas Community Foundation supports The Best Overall Film Award
The Ontario Trillium Foundation Supported the FCYFF with a Seed Grant in 2019
Huron College supports the Pitch Category