Our Mission

Youth FX is designed to empower young people ages 10-25 by teaching them the technical and creative aspects of digital film making and media production. Based in the City of Albany, NY, our primary mission is to work with diverse groups of youth from communities that have been historically under-served and in need of opportunities to learn filmmaking and acquire skills in emerging media technologies. Youth FX hands-on programming develops leadership skills, creativity, and critical thinking, through the collaborative and artistic process of making films, amplifying the voices of young people in the capital region of New York State and around the world.

About Us

Youth FX:
An Introduction

About

Participants gain valuable digital media production skills and engage with their communities by creating documentary and short fiction films that reflect their understanding and vision of the world around them. Films produced by our students have won awards and screened at dozens of major film festivals across the country including: TriBeCa Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Festival, San Francisco Film Festival, Harlem International Film Festival, Woodstock Film Festival and Chicago International Film Festival.

Our Mission

Youth FX is part of a broad movement of grassroots media and film organizations that have been pushing for increased diversity and gender equity in the film, television and media arts industries.

Impact

2800+

People

Of all ages visited our space in the last year and have engaged in programs or public events.

650+

Youth

Ages 10 - 25 visited our space to participate in programs and events.

48+

Community

Based organizations partnered with us in 2019-2020 to put on events or programs in our space.

“This is not Hollywood. This is not some big budget movie. But we are still creating these incredible stories where Black and Brown people are at the forefront.”

Aurora Sikelianos / YFX 2015-2021 Participant

PROCESS

Youth FX primarily works with young people who have been historically under served and in need of meaningful opportunities for training and engagement in new digital media technology. The skills they learn not only enable them to be more creative and express their ideas, but they are also valuable skills that are in high demand in today’s technology based world. Youth FX participants engage in their communities by creating documentary and short fiction films that reflect their understanding and vision of the world around them as well as their imagined futures.

Focusing on visual storytelling, artistic expression and performance, Youth FX students create digital video projects in various genres, including documentary, narrative short fiction and experimental. Working with experienced media instructors, filmmakers and artists, participants learn the various aspects of digital video production such as cinematography, editing, screenwriting, producing, directing, acting, scoring, sound, and lighting.

PURPOSE

For some, our program is a fun way to be creative with their peers, and for others it is an introduction and immersion into a potential career path. Films produced by our current and former students and staff have won awards and screened at major film festivals including: BlackStar Film Festival, TribeCa Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Festival, San Francisco Film Festival, Harlem International Film Festival, Woodstock Film Festival and Chicago International Film Festival. Over the past 3 years we have also developed new programs such as NeXt Doc and the PA Institute to support diverse, emerging filmmakers ages 20-24 as they transition into the field of independent film.

Youth FX is part of a broad movement of grassroots media and film organizations that have been pushing for increased diversity and gender equity in the film, television and media arts industries.

Please feel free to reach out and connect with us to offer feedback, critiques, shout-outs, ask questions, build connections, collaborate and exchange ideas.