Preserving Youth Storyteller Camps

Nearly everyone in public media is still scrambling to replace the federal funds Congress took away last summer. Too many of the newer, smaller organizations in our industry now risk ending their main programs. The Freedom Hill Film School — a 4-week documentary production program for youth located in Kinston, North Carolina — is one. 

Founded in 2022 by  filmmaker Resita Cox, the program connects students ages 14-23 to North Carolina’s rich Black history and concepts of environmental justice through documentary filmmaking. The program hopes to convene its fifth annual session this coming summer, but we recently learned that it has lost its funding partner. Unless it raises $15,000 to adequately cover expenses and student stipends, this year’s session will be canceled.

Learning the Art and Business of Filmmaking 

Following an application review process, Freedom Hill Film School invites up to 10 students to participate in the summer program. Each assumes a key role in the student production crew, complete with a director, producer, editor, DP and more. The cohort is guided through every stage of the documentary filmmaking process by industry professionals — from research and creative treatment development, to cinematography and post-production.

The group then applies the concepts learned to create a short documentary focused on some aspect of North Carolina’s history and/or environmental conditions. 

A Deeper Dive

Each year, a select few alumni are invited to return and participate in a second-year fellowship. These fellows take a deeper dive into film elements and develop an individual film idea over the course of the program that culminates with public pitch presentations. 

Unlike many media camps that charge tuition, Freedom Hill Film School pays each student up to $1,500 for their work. Past masterclass instructors include: Brian Allonce, Natalie Bullock-Brown, Donald Conely, Crystal Isaac, Nailah Jefferson, Vann Newkirk, Ashley O’Shay, Donnie Seals, Eric D. Seals, and Cai Thomas.

How You Can Help

BPM has had the honor of featuring one of the Freedom Hill student films in our AfroPoP Digital Shorts series. To date, the film, Coming Home, has drawn more than 42,000 views. Click the WATCH button below to check it out. If you or someone you know is in a position to contribute to this valuable program, act promptly.  All donations, large and small, are appreciated. Preserving opportunities for young storytellers to learn the craft of documentary filmmaking is priority we all should embrace. 

Photos by Wayne Beatty