The Media Arts Center's Teen Producers Project will host a free screening of its' latest videos this Friday, June 27th at 6:30PM at Crawford High Educational Complex Auditorium (4191 Colts Way, SD, 92115). Student filmmakers from San Diego neighborhoods produced a trio of compelling short documentaries that examine immigration policy, community violence, and the experiences of refugees and immigrants pursuing the American Dream. Working with MACSD instructors, teen filmmakers interviewed, researched, and produced socially conscious works about issues that impact their lives and the lives of people in their communities. After the screening, youth filmmakers and MACSD artists will hold a Q&A with the audience about the making of these videos. Discussion to be facilitated by University of San Diego Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies, Jesse Mills.
The films to be screened are: Perspectives of the American Dream , in which teens compare and contrast the experiences of individuals from two San Diego communities; I Want My Parents Back , which focuses on the issue of immigration by highlighting the story of a local San Diego family; and Fighting Community Violence , which documents the effects gang violence has on former gang members, emphasizing the consequences of joining a gang as well as providing positive alternatives to participating in gang activity.
The MACSD press release states: "Youth who participated in the Teen Producers Project this past year and produced these three documentaries, were excited about the process of learning about their community and at the same time learning to be video producers." Steve Garcia, a Teen Producer who worked on Fighting Community Violence , says, "Video is a good way to tell a lot of people what's going on; at Teen Producers Project, I can make friends and see how people help each other." Argenis Herrera, Teen Producer who worked on I Want My Parents Back , adds, "I believe documentary films are a great way of getting a message to the world and have it seen and heard."
For more information about the Teen Producers Project and the upcoming screening, please call 619-230-1938 x 101 and/or visit www.mediaartscenter.org .
