Film & Freedom
Academy
Training, equipment & materials provided
For full attendance and completion of your film
9am–7pm, in-person, in the Presidio, SF
Your film screens at the next QWOCFF
Why We Do This
"Art IS social justice. Film AS movement"
Choose Your Cohort
Our workshops are designed for LBTQIA+ BIPOC creatives, activists, and organizers who want to make a film. No experience necessary. Most of our participants are first-time filmmakers. Even with experience, our Film AS Movement framework guides you to connect your creativity with social justice. We tailor workshops to specific populations within our LBTQIA+ people of color communities, including youth (ages 18–24), sick & disabled, formerly incarcerated/institutionalized, LBTQIA+ Muslims of color, survivors of violence & abuse, and more. Currently, we’re offering our Youth workshop for LBTQIA+ BIPOC creatives ages 18–24. If this timing or workshop isn’t the right one for you, sign up to learn about future workshops.
Youth Film & Freedom Academy Application
The Youth Film & Freedom Academy is tailored for LBTQIA+ BIPOC creatives aged 18-24. This program empowers young storytellers to create, write, direct, and edit a 5-minute film in 4 days.
This intensive workshop combines hands-on exercises and interactive technical lectures in a highly creative, collaborative and supportive environment. It makes filmmaking totally doable & fun!
Youth participants will receive a $500 stipend for: on time arrival and full attendance at all 4 workshop sessions; and completion of film by the end of the workshop process.
Apply NowWhat You'll Learn
An Intensive 4-Day Filmmaking Experience for LBTQIA+ BIPOC Youth
Create
- Write your own script
- Develop your creative vision
- Hands-on practice with professional equipment
Direct & Produce
- Lead your film production
- Work with a dedicated Film Mentor
- Your cohort becomes your crew
Edit & Premiere
- Edit your 5-minute short film with professional software and support
- Your completed film world premieres at the next QWOCFF
Our Workshop Schedule
The workshop runs 9am–7pm for 4 consecutive days. You need to attend all 4 sessions in person at our space in the Presidio.
Foundation
- Orientation and community building
- Introduction to filmmaking concepts
- Hands-on with professional cameras and equipment
Script & Pre-Production
- Write and develop your personal story
- Storyboarding and shot planning
- Meet your dedicated Film Mentor
Production Day
- Film your 5-minute short with full crew support
- Your cohort becomes your production team
- Film Mentor available throughout
Post-Production & Celebration
- Learn professional editing software & techniques
- Edit, add music, finalize your 5-minute short film
- Watch all films together, celebrate your accomplishments
Accessibility Information
The workshop is designed to be accessible from the start.
ASL Interpretation
ASL interpretation is provided for participants who are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. If you need ASL interpretation, indicate this in your registration form.
CART & Screen Reader Access
Live captions for instruction. Workshop materials provided in advance through Canvas LMS, which is compatible with JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and Talkback. Printed black & white handouts also available.
Mic & Speakers
Microphones in the room feed sound into the room's speakers for audio amplification.
Wheelchair & Mobility Access
The entire venue, including restrooms, is ADA compliant and wheelchair accessible. Bathrooms and other amenities are nearby the workshop room.
Size-Accessible Seating
Standard and big & tall rolling office chairs, folding chairs without arms, and 21-inch wide padded seats without arms that support up to 800 lbs.
Service Animals
QWOCMAP is not able to accommodate service animals for this workshop.
Respiratory & Fragrance Safety
All participants, cast, crew, and QWOCMAP team wear N95 or KN95 masks indoors at all times. We run mobile HEPA air purifiers and open windows for fresh air ventilation. We also provide disinfecting supplies, gloves, and COVID tests. Fragrance-free soap and low-scent markers provided. If there is wildfire smoke, air scrubbers run in the building.
COVID Safety
QWOCMAP provides NACT/molecular COVID tests that are taken at the workshop. We also provide N95 masks. All participants email proof of full COVID vaccination plus at least one booster. If you feel sick, please stay home.
Meals
One meal a day and snacks provided, with vegan and vegetarian options and as few allergens as possible. There are indoor and outdoor locations where participants can safely unmask to eat.
Crisis Counselors & Quiet Spaces
Crisis counselors are available for the duration of the workshop to provide support for participants who experience intense emotions as they learn and create. There are quiet areas and comfortable spaces in the venue to reduce sensory stimulation.
Multiple Learning Styles
The workshop combines technical lectures, interactive kinesthetic/hands-on, verbal, writing, and visual activities. Designed to be accessible to different educational levels, learning styles, and learning and cognitive disabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Presidio has a free Presidio Go shuttle from Embarcadero BART. There are other public transportation options and ample parking available.
We design our workshops to be accessible from the start. We provide ASL interpretation, CART/live captions, screen reader compatible materials through Canvas LMS, crisis counselors, size-accessible seating, wheelchair-accessible venue, fragrance-free spaces, COVID safety protocols, and meals. Please share your access needs in the registration form so we can work with you.
The stipend recognizes your time and creative labor. It’s paid after on-time arrival and full attendance at all 4 sessions and completion of your film..
No. We provide all cameras, editing software, and production equipment. You don’t need to bring anything except yourself and your story.
Your completed film world premieres at the next International Queer Women of Color Film Festival. It becomes part of QWOCMAP’s catalog of 515+ films. Films screen at festivals worldwide and serve as calling cards for future career opportunities.
Most of our participants are first-time filmmakers. The program is designed for people with no experience. Even if you have experience, you’ll learn new things with QWOCMAP’s Film AS Movement framework. The entire process makes filmmaking completely doable and FUN!
Our Workshops fill quickly. There's typically a 2-3 year wait
What Our Community Says
Hear from past Film & Freedom Academy participants on how the workshop shaped their filmmaking journey.
Filmmaker
QWOCMAP gives communities of people that do not typically have a voice in mainstream media a chance to find their voice and be heard. QWOCMAP opens doors. And those of us that have somehow managed to be so lucky to make it in are opening up more doors.
Filmmaker
I recently became a recipient of a Princess Grace Award in Film and I think that has so much to do with how QWOCMAP is able to shape artists and lmmakers to tell their own truth and to believe in their work. Those are very powerful lessons to learn.
Filmmaker
Having had that community of queer women of color filmmakers has been the foundation of my resolve to face the sexist, racist, and homophobic perspectives of the larger filmmaking community. It is very easy to become lost within the confines of one’s present world, and I always think back to QWOCMAP to find my way back to me.
What Our Community Says
Hear from past Film & Freedom Academy participants on how the workshop shaped their filmmaking journey.
QWOCMAP gives communities of people that do not typically have a voice in mainstream media a chance to find their voice and be heard. QWOCMAP opens doors. And those of us that have somehow managed to be so lucky to make it in are opening up more doors.
I recently became a recipient of a Princess Grace Award in Film and I think that has so much to do with how QWOCMAP is able to shape artists and lmmakers to tell their own truth and to believe in their work. Those are very powerful lessons to learn.
Having had that community of queer women of color filmmakers has been the foundation of my resolve to face the sexist, racist, and homophobic perspectives of the larger filmmaking community. It is very easy to become lost within the confines of one’s present world, and I always think back to QWOCMAP to find my way back to me.
