Boston Jewish Film Studio: Reaching Out to Teens

At Boston Jewish Film, we believe that stories – and film – can change lives. Boston Jewish Film Studio teaches students to be discerning consumers and thoughtful creators of film, fostering compassion, tolerance, and thoughtful analysis. Through our Youth Outreach Program, we bring our films, teachers, and filmmakers to schools and community centers all across Greater Boston, promoting awareness and lively discussion. With our hands-on Filmmaking Courses, we enable Boston area youths to tell their own stories on screen.

STUDIO: EMPOWERING YOUTH TO TELL THEIR STORY

Boston Jewish Film Studio launched its first two pilot filmmaking courses in 2017-2018 at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston Teen Center in Mattapan. In each course, students learned to storyboard, script, shoot, and edit a short feature film across eight 90 minute sessions. In addition to filmmaking techniques, students learn valuable team skills, and, most importantly, broaden their capacity to communicate through words, sounds, and image. We intend to expand the course to additional Boys and Girls Clubs facilities around Boston, and to other area community centers and schools.

HELPING YOUTH UNDERSTAND & EXERCISE TOLERANCE

Like so many across the country, we are alarmed at the rise in racist and anti-Semitic language and incidents. Many of these are perpetrated by teenagers, who may not understand the nature—or danger—of their acts. Drawing on its reservoir of relevant, insightful documentary films, and compelling teachers and filmmakers, Boston Jewish Film Studio wants to start a discussion that can make a difference. We kicked off the program October 2018 at Wayland and Weston High Schools with screenings and panel discussions of “Etched in Glass: The Legacy of Steve Ross.” The award-winning documentary tells the story of Holocaust survivor and New England Holocaust Memorial founder Steve Ross. We intend to grow this program with regular film screenings, debates, and encounters, and to develop curricula and learning materials that will expose our teens to Jewish and other world cultures.

Boston Jewish Film is currently seeking support for its Studio program. For more information, please contact Lauren Scharf at 617-244-9899, x210.