We are Bringing Back our Youth Filmmaking Workshop This Summer!
Applications Open in May, 2025!
In 2018, B&H Photo, Canon and Bushwick Film Festival 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.
Bushwick Stories mission was 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. Over the course of the five day workshop we taught 15 students between the ages of 16-24 the basics of filmmaking, lighting techniques and how to use professional digital video and audio equipment.
Students were able to connect and learn from top industry professionals such as Adam Neuhaus, Director of Development at ESPN Films, costume designer, Alexyz Kemp (Avengers: Infinity War, Black Panther, The Hunger Games), and Filippo Piscopo, Director of the original HBO documentary It Will Be Chaos. Students were also able to leverage 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 them access to top-notch equipment and invaluable insights.
With the help of producers from the festival’s network, students were guided on the path from conceptualizing their idea to executing it into a short documentary. One film reflects on the changes and roots of the neighborhood through the eyes of the members of Brotherhood Boxing Gym, while another group shines a light on the impact of current politics on the local youth.
All films were shown for free at the festival’s biggest venue (LightSpace Studios) during the 11th Annual Bushwick Film Festival, giving the young filmmakers the chance to showcase their work to friends, family and community amidst fellow filmmakers.
Each film was followed by a Q&A, giving the stage to the young creatives and allowing them to share their experiences and message with an audience!
Below we are excited to present films that were created by our young storytellers!
AMERICA FIRST
BEYOND THE BATTLE GROUND
2025 Applications Open in May, 2025!
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 The Bushwick Film Festival:
Founded in 2007, The 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. BFF provides a platform for emerging filmmakers to share their stories and present opportunities for them to make a living doing what they love. BFF provides spaces for audiences from all backgrounds to connect and discover new independent movies and experience unique cultural events.
