B&H Photo, Canon & Bushwick Film Festival Present Bushwick Stories
A Free Five-Day Filmmaking Workshop and Festival Screening for Young Storytellers
Brooklyn, NY— B&H Photo, Canon and Bushwick Film Festival have teamed up to present Bushwick Stories—a five-day documentary filmmaking workshop for young storytellers in Bushwick followed by a screening of the youth-created films at the 11th Annual Bushwick Film Festival (Oct. 10-14).
Bushwick Stories seeks to empower local youth with the tools to tell their own stories and encourage them to see the film industry as a viable professional pathway. The hands-on workshop will teach up to 15 students between the ages of 16-24 the basics of filmmaking, lighting techniques and how to use professional digital video and audio equipment, while introducing them to inspiring film professionals. Students will learn how to collaborate together to shoot and produce their own mini-documentary to screen at this year’s Bushwick Film Festival.
The high cost of professional video and audio gear, plus the financial straits of many public arts and AV programs often puts filmmaking beyond the reach of many students in underserved areas. The program leverages B&H’s 45 years of experience as a provider of top-level counseling and gear in the photo, video and audio market and Canon’s iconic optical products, granting participants access to top-notch equipment and invaluable insights. Furthermore, participants will benefit from Bushwick Film Festival’s network of film professionals and work closely with the festival’s alumni and staff in the creation of their short doc.
“As a family-owned, NYC-based business, B&H is thrilled to provide aspiring young filmmakers with the chance to kickstart their careers. Investing in our local community is vital to the B&H ethos. We’re thrilled to support New York City as a natural birthplace for independent film and creative expression.”
“Representation in media and film really matters. It's so important for young people to see diversity on screen and to see themselves and their communities in the stories being told. That's why this is one of our most impactful initiatives and we are grateful to have the support and experience of B&H Photo and Canon.” Kweighbaye Kotee - Bushwick Film Festival Founder and CEO
The three companies are united in their desire to give back and empower storytellers. B&H has a long history of philanthropic work; their long standing support is essential to many local organizations and imaging partners that all bring something unique to the image-making community. Canon is committed to a business approach that is socially responsible and economically logical. It is engrained in their corporate philosophy of Kyosei—which is defined as “all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future.” Bushwick Film Festival was built from the fabric of its community, on the premise that everyone deserves access to possibilities and works to carefully leverage its growing influence to give back to the under-resourced parts of the community.
Bushwick Stories will be the first major partnership between Bushwick Film Festival and B&H Photo, now the festival’s official Community Partner. The program is a great opportunity for young storytellers to learn about the art of filmmaking, work with industry professionals and create their own short films!
Interested parties can apply online at www.bushwickfilmfestival.com/bushwickstories by August 14th for a chance to attend the free five-day workshop and create a short documentary about Bushwick as they see it.
Important Dates:
July 25, 2018: Submissions Open
August 14, 2018: Submissions Close
August 27-31, 2018: Workshop
October 14, 2018: Special Bushwick Stories Screening at the 11th Annual Bushwick Film Festival
More news to come via:
Website: bushwickfilmfestival.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BushwickFilmFestival
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BushwickFilm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bushwickfilmfest
About B&H Photo:
B&H began as a "mom and pop" shop in 1973. After wife-and-husband partners (Blimie and Herman, respectively) opened the doors in Tribeca with one employee, their trademark dedication to candid selling and quality merchandise quickly attracted a loyal following of photo, video and audio professionals. At a time when shysters abounded, we developed a reputation for honesty and ethical business practices, and the word spread.
Today, as the USA's largest non-chain specialty electronics retailer, we deliver that same pioneering integrity via specialized showrooms, classes and tutorials, and as always, unparalleled inventory and service on a daily basis. We continue to expand to meet your needs with showrooms, classes, helpful educational and social media content, serving customers worldwide from our highly rated website, award-winning mobile Apps, catalogs and our 34th Street "SuperStore."
About Canon:
Canon U.S.A., Inc. is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions to the United States and to Latin America and the Caribbean markets. In the spirit of our corporate philosophy of Kyosei—all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future—Canon is committed to an approach to business that is socially responsible and economically logical. Canon seeks to be a truly excellent global corporation. For our customers, we offer the best products possible. Simultaneously, we strive to improve our relationships with local communities and to increase our respect for the environment as we contribute to the prosperity of the world and the happiness of its people.
About Bushwick Film Festival
Founded in 2007, Bushwick Film Festival (BFF) is a leading independent film and media company in Brooklyn. The festival is hailed as one of Brooklyn’s most influential cinematic events for its contribution to the borough’s artistic, cultural, and economic growth. The festival attracts film and entertainment industry leaders at national and international levels and showcases films created by the best and most diverse emerging independent filmmakers in Brooklyn and worldwide. We provide a platform for filmmakers to share their stories and present opportunities for them to make a living doing what they love. We provide spaces for audiences from all backgrounds to connect and discover new independent movies and experience unique cultural events. Please visit our website: www.bushwickfilmfestival.com
Press Contact:
Nathalie Thomas | Marketing Coordinator
nathalie@bushwickfilmfestival.com | o: 347.450.3464