YOUTH DOCUMENTARY ACADEMY and "OUR TIME"

115 East Pikes Peak Avenue,Colorado Springs CO 80903

18 May, 2021

Description

YOUTH DOCUMENTARY ACADEMY and “OUR TIME” A film event featuring four documentary short films and a Q&A at Kimball’s Peak Three Theaters Our Featured Short Films and Talented Filmmakers LONELY HIGHWAY, directed by Andy Kwiatkowski, a graduate of Rampart High School, now attending the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Andy tells a deeply personal story about growing up with an autistic disorder as he turns the camera on himself, his parents and sister. A film full of honesty and inspiration and a beautiful look at the power of family. SHADE, directed by Antreise Lacey, a graduate of Widefield High School, who majored in film studies at Hofstra University. An unfiltered look at the pressure on six African American girls finding their way to navigate the damaging stereotypes of being “light-skinned” or “dark-skinned”. Ultimately this film offers a universal story of embracing your own unique identity. AFTER WAR, directed by Bailey Francisco, a graduate of Fountain Ft-Carson High School, now living in Trinidad, CO. Bailey’s experience of growing up in a military family tackles the often hidden shame of one family’s experience with PTSD and the effect war has on each member of his family. A powerful story about the courage it takes for all of them to overcome trauma. LABELED, directed by Hadassah Nix, a graduate of Rampart High School, pursuing film studies at Point Park University. In a community known for the presence of numerous religious groups, this film looks at an unlikely mix of believers. The stories of a heavy metal pastor, a Hip Hop Christian dance group, and a local tattoo parlor defy simple stereotypes and challenge us to look beyond the labels. Doors Open at 6:00pm. Event Starts at 6:30pm FREE and Open to the Public – Limited Seating to reserve your seats on this Eventbrite Link COVID Guidelines in Place. All attendees will be required to wear a mask. The Youth Documentary Academy (YDA) was launched in 2013 by filmmaker, Tom Shepard, who grew up here in Colorado Springs and graduated of Palmer High School before heading off to Stanford University to pursue a degree in biology and film studies. Over the last 20 years, Tom has directed and produced numerous award-winning documentary projects. His newest feature film, UNSETTLED, will be screened in June at Kimball’s Peak Three Theater. Each summer YDA offers intensive media and documentary film training to local high school students in underserved and underrepresented communities. With hands on workshops and seminars from successful filmmakers these students learn technical skills and gain personal insight into the themes of their own distinctive lived experience. The final project for each participant is a 10-minute short film focused on the impact of each student's personal story. In September of 2019, Rocky Mountain PBS partnered with YDA to host a six-week series entitled “Our Time” which highlighted a dozen of the top films from previous years. Season 2 of “Our Time” will be hosted on PBS in the fall of 2021 and will be broadcast to PBS affiliates nationwide. Join us on May 18th to learn more about YDA and the “Our Time” series and see two of the films which appeared in Season 1 with a sneak preview of two new films that will be included in Season 2. Our screening will be followed by an engaging conversation with each of the young filmmakers and YDA Director, Tom Shepard.