THE FUTURE FILMMAKERS NATIONAL COHORT

INTRODUCING

Building on its success at Berkeley High School, Future Filmmakers is expanding for the 2026-2027 school year to include 6 high school students from around the country. Each student will develop and direct their own short, personal documentary over the course of the school year. Completed films will be submitted to select festivals and brought to audiences through a dedicated impact campaign, connecting these stories with schools, youth organizations, and communities nationwide.

THE PROGRAM INCLUDES:

  • Approximately 17 remote workshops taught over Zoom, plus one 2-day, in-person retreat in Berkeley, CA (travel for student and one parent/guardian included).

  • A professional camera package and audio kit to use throughout the program.

  • A professional editor and program advisor that are paired with each student for collaboration throughout the program.

  • Travel for the student filmmaker and one parent/guardian to the Future Filmmakers Festival in Berkeley, CA, where your film will be shown around the end of the school year.

  • Submission of your completed film to select film festivals and distribution to schools and community organizations along with discussion and teaching material to foster conversations among other high school-aged students.

  • No cost to students or families!

See what a year in the program looks like.

Interested? Apply below!

We’re looking for students with a story to tell. Here are some themes and film topics that have been completed in the program thus far:

Mental Health

Coming of Age

Personal Growth

Loss

Belonging

Community

Family

Identity

Connection

APPLY HERE

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 9

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Future Filmmakers is an extracurricular program that mentors high school students to create personal documentary films and brings those films to audiences of their peers, through film festivals, classrooms, and community spaces.

  • Any high school student in the United States. No prior filmmaking experience required.

  • Selected students attend virtual workshops throughout the school year to develop their story and filmmaking skills. They apply this knowledge immediately, shooting and directing their own short documentary film with the help of a project advisor and professional editor. In addition to virtual workshops, students (and one parent/guardian) are expected to attend an in-person kickoff in Berkeley, CA in October 2026 and the Future Filmmakers Film Festival in June 2027 (Future Filmmakers covers travel expenses).

  • There is no cost for students accepted to the program. Equipment, travel, and lodging for students, and one parent or guardian, are covered in full.

  • Students will need a reliable internet connection, a device for regular communication with program staff, and a computer for uploading footage. If any of these present a barrier, please reach out. Contact us at jordan@futurefilmmakersproject.com.

    This program also includes a significant time commitment - see the question below:

  • No, but it doesn’t hurt. We select students based on a range of factors, and our cohorts intentionally include students with varying levels of experience. What matters most is having a story you want to tell.

  • This is a rigorous program. Telling a personal story requires self-reflection, vulnerability, and emotional maturity, and students are held to a high standard of excellence and accountability. That means attending all workshops and advisor meetings, meeting deadlines, and staying responsive to communication throughout the year.

    Participating in this program requires a big time commitment, including:

    • A two day retreat tentatively scheduled for October 10-11

    • Approximately 17, 2-hour classes/workshops, tentatively scheduled for Thursdays at 5 PT / 8 ET

    • About five hours of time every week outside of school and workshops for students to work independently on their films, engage in Zoom conversations with their advisor and editor, etc.

    • We expect students to be present and on time for all workshops, Zoom meetings, and other commitments.

  • We’re looking for students with an authentic, personal story to tell.Past student films have covered themes of identity, family, mental health, loss, belonging, or any number of other human experiences. If you have a story you’ve been wanting to tell, we want to hear about it.

    To see descriptions of previous films, visit futurefilmmakersproject.com

  • Each film is shown at the Future Filmmakers Festival and is then shared with high school audiences through film festivals, community and classroom screenings, to spark discussions that yield empathy, understanding, and self-reflection.

    Many of our films have been selected for, and gone on to win awards at, prestigious film festivals, including Cinequest, the Jackson Doc Fest, the Seattle Black Film Festival, and more.

  • We believe  films made by high school students for high school students are powerful tools for discussion, reflection, and personal growth. Two important groups are served:

    • For student filmmakers, it’s a journey of self-discovery: finding their voice, honing their craft, and stepping into their courage.

    • For student audiences, it’s a chance to feel seen, connected, and inspired by the raw honesty of their peers.

  • Our editors and advisors are experienced, award-winning documentary filmmakers. Visit futurefilmmakersproject.com to meet the team.

  • Student safety and wellbeing are a priority. A copy of our code of conduct can be found HERE. Additionally, all communications with students are overseen by a trained educator and mandated reporter.