Increasing Access to Film Industry
Liliane Calfee, DePaul/CHA Documentary Filmmaking for Girls
In partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority, DePaul University delivers a summer intensive documentary filmmaking course providing 16 underserved high school girls with new economic pathways and the tools to share their voices with the world. Through two lenses—the lens of a camera and the lens of their life experiences—students gain technical filmmaking skills and learn the power of their personal narratives. During the paid, six-week program, participants receive training, mentorship, industry talks, and experiential field trips exploring Chicago’s rich arts culture. Working in teams, students create an original documentary, which is screened during a special graduation ceremony. Programming is delivered by award-winning faculty and graduate students at the School of Cinematic Arts, one of the top film schools in national rankings. Several works have earned notable recognition, including Jury Award Winner at the 2018 Thomas Edison Black Maria Film Festival and Rising Voices Award in the 2017 Windy City International Film Festival.