Fresh Films DT

Imagine seeing your hard work, creativity, and passion come to life on one of the biggest streaming platforms in the world. That’s exactly what happened when Boston filmmakers were invited to Roku’s headquarters for a special premiere of last year’s Fresh Films documentaries on The Roku Channel—a platform reaching over 90 million subscribers! WATCH NOW: https://lnkd.in/e_dKCshR Fresh Films is all about real-world opportunities that prepare students to break into the industry, and the chance to have their work featured on The Roku Channel is just one example of the doors that open when young creatives are given the resources and mentorship to thrive. We couldn’t be prouder of the students who worked on these documentaries, and we can’t wait to see who will be next! 

Fresh Films is looking for volunteers to support two upcoming Soft Skills workshops, as well as guest speakers who can share best practices with students as they create a short film! Workshop details are below: Opportunity #1 - Mock Interviews Date & Time: Wednesday 3/19 from 7-8pm ET The goal of the session is to allow students to practice answering interview questions that they are likely to be asked in job, internship or even college interviews.The practice session allows them a safe environment to learn best practices (and learn from their mistakes!) so that they can be more prepared for the real interview. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/eSzdmdYh Opportunity #2 - Resume Session Date & Time: Wednesday 4/9 from 8-9pm ET The goal of this session is to help students strengthen their resumes. Each volunteer will be in a breakout room with students working through how to best articulate their skills & experience to create their resume and have it stand out. All volunteers are welcome, you do not have to be in HR! RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/eSzdmdYh Opportunity #3 - Short Film Project Date & Time: Tuesday 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, or 5/13 (times vary) Fresh Films students will be creating a short film as their final project, and we're looking for industry guest speakers who can share tips & best practices with students as they create their films. The session topics vary and we have many time slots available for interested speakers - please view our volunteer RSVP form for more details about session dates, times, and topics. https://lnkd.in/evT49aMB These sessions last approximately 30 minutes; generally 10-15 minutes to present any slides or other materials you want to share with students, and another 15 minutes for Q&A. If you plan on volunteering for one of these sessions, please keep your tips or best practices clear and concise. The goal is for students to have several clear tips to take away from the session and incorporate into their short film. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/eSzdmdYh

The I Am disABLEd premiere at SXSW EDU was more than just a screening—it was a powerful moment of visibility, belonging, and empowerment for the disability community. A packed house watched as the film illuminated stories that too often go unheard, and the emotional reactions from audience members made it clear: representation matters. Attendees were visibly moved, with many sharing how deeply the documentary resonated with them and reinforced the need for greater inclusion in every space. As Melanie Robinson, M.Ed. of the Texas Education Agency shared, “The power of this documentary highlighting the importance of belonging within all of us is incredible.” At Fresh Films, we don’t just tell stories—we equip the next generation of filmmakers with the skills, experience, and industry connections to launch their careers. Events like I Am disABLEd at SXSW show just how far their work can go—reaching major industry stages, sparking meaningful conversations, and making a lasting impact. Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and joined in on this impactful conversation. A special thanks to all the youth who worked on this film. We are so thankful and proud of all those who had a hand in making I Am disABLEd come to life. #SXSWEDU #IAmdisABLEd Theo Ogunyode, Josh Romero , Teri Yago-Ryan, Kelli Feigley Amy Calderone-Blommer

We’re headed to SXSW EDU! 🎬 I AM disABLEd, one of just nine films selected for this year’s festival. This powerful documentary is already being called a “masterpiece of humanity and a feel-good movie,” sparking conversations about inclusion and the de-stigmatization of disability. Will you be there?—we’d love to connect! When: March 5, 2025 Time: 1:30 PM CT - 3:00 PM CT Where: Austin Convention Center | Ballroom A Watch the trailer: https://lnkd.in/ecQT9EiJ #SXSWEDU #IAMdisABLEd #FreshFilms

🎬 Fresh Films Featured on ABC7 Chicago! 🎬 Incredible news—Fresh Films was spotlighted on ABC 7 Chicago, featuring the inspiring journeys of Kayla Sullers & Zelalem Cole-Ubuntu! This segment highlights how hands-on industry experience is transforming the futures of young filmmakers, providing them with real-world skills, mentorship, and career pathways. Watch the full feature: https://lnkd.in/eFYSWrYw This work is more important than ever, and together, we’re ensuring that the next generation of diverse storytellers has the access and opportunities they deserve. #FreshFilms #FutureFilmmakers #YouthEmpowerment

Heartfelt thanks to former Nickelodeon Tv powerhouse Steve Burns aka Fresh Films DT “client”, partnering with us to flip the script and bring real-world workforce opportunities to teens and young adults from underserved communities across the U.S.

"It's something I can really imagine myself doing in the future!" - Fresh Films Student Here’s an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at our students bringing their creativity to life as they filmed official music videos for Steve Burns—musician, beloved Blue’s Clues host, and the artist behind the Young Sheldon theme song! These hands-on experiences aren't just inspiring—they’re life changing. Thanks to the support of our incredible partners and donors, students aren’t just imagining a future in film and media—they’re actively building one. Your support fuels these moments, shaping careers and opening doors that once seemed out of reach. Together, we’re creating opportunities that last a lifetime.

With federal arts funding facing ongoing challenges, we want to take a moment to stress just how vital our arts partners are. Their support ensures that young creatives don’t lose access to the hands-on filmmaking experiences, industry mentorship, and career pathways that shape the future of creatives. Thank you to our arts partners for all of their ongoing support: National Endowment for the Arts Iowa Arts Council Illinois Arts Council Georgia Council For The Arts Fitchburg Cultural Council LeominsterCultural Council Mass Cultural Council Fulton County Arts Council City of Atlanta - Municipal Arts Council Investing in the arts means investing in the future—empowering the next generation of storytellers and creators. Thank you for making these life-changing opportunities possible! #SupportTheArts #FreshFilms #InvestInCreativity

This week, our San Marcos Fresh Films class had the incredible opportunity to step behind the scenes at American Idol auditions at the iconic Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles. This wasn't just a tour—it was a firsthand look at how large-scale productions come to life. Supervising Producer Patrick Lynn from Fremantle shared insights into the fast-paced world of television, offering students a glimpse into career pathways in entertainment and the skills needed to thrive in the industry. Experiences like this bridge the gap between education and career readiness, ensuring young creatives are prepared to step into professional roles. A huge thank you to Fremantle for their continued support in making these moments possible! #FutureFilmmakers #WorkforceDevelopment #EntertainmentIndustry #FreshFilms

Our Weekly Program is off to an exciting start with a music video project featuring Steve Burns—the talented artist behind the Young Sheldon theme song and former host of Blue’s Clues! Our students are gaining hands-on experience, collaborating with Steve to bring fresh music videos to life while developing their creative and technical skills. These real-world opportunities give young creatives a chance to develop industry experience and explore future careers. Take a look at what Steve and our students are working on—stay tuned for the full music videos, premiering on YouTube on February 11th! 🎥