The Teen Filmmaker Lab is built for students who want more than an introduction to filmmaking. Students work as an emerging filmmaking team, developing original projects and gaining experience with the creative, organizational, and production processes used on professional film sets.

Throughout the program, students learn from working filmmakers and industry professionals across a wide range of disciplines, including:

• Showrunning & Series Development

• Screenwriting

• Producing

• Directing

• Assistant Directing

• Cinematography

• Lighting & Grip

• Production Design

• Editing & Post-Production

• Sound

• Casting

• Script Supervision

• Film Festival Strategy

• Fundraising & Project Financing

• Production Budgeting & Planning

Elevated On-Set Experience

Students don't simply learn about filmmaking from a classroom. They experience what it is like to work together on a professional-style production.

Students take on real production responsibilities, collaborate across departments, work within schedules and budgets, and learn how the different parts of a film set come together.

The experience introduces students to the expectations and workflow of a professional production environment, including:

• Preparing for a production and breaking down a script

• Building a production schedule

• Understanding crew roles and departmental responsibilities

• Working with an Assistant Director and production team

• Preparing locations, sets, props, costumes, and production design

• Working with cameras, lighting, sound, and other production departments

• Communicating effectively on set

• Working within a shooting schedule

• Solving creative and production problems

• Managing time, resources, and budgets

• Working as part of a professional-style crew

• Reviewing footage and making creative decisions during production

The goal is to give students a genuine understanding of how a film set operates, while providing an environment where they can learn, take responsibility, make creative decisions, and grow.

From Idea to Finished Film

Students experience the filmmaking process from beginning to end.

They develop ideas, write and revise scripts, plan productions, build budgets, explore fundraising strategies, prepare their crews, shoot their projects, and work through editing and post-production.

Along the way, students receive feedback from instructors, mentors, and their peers. They learn that filmmaking is not simply about having a good idea. It is about developing that idea, communicating it to a team, planning effectively, and following through to a finished film.

Preparing Films for Festivals

The experience doesn't necessarily end when the film is finished.

Students learn about film festivals, submissions, programming, and presenting their work to an audience. Eligible student projects may be prepared for submission to youth and independent film festivals, including festivals such as NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth) and SIFF (Seattle International Film Festival), as appropriate.

Students can learn how to:

• Prepare a finished film for submission

• Create festival-ready materials

• Write filmmaker statements and project descriptions

• Understand festival categories and submission requirements

• Research festivals that are appropriate for their work

• Navigate submission platforms and deadlines

• Present themselves and their work professionally

Supporting Emerging Filmmakers

The Lab is ultimately about giving young filmmakers the opportunity to do the work.

Students leave with practical filmmaking experience, completed creative projects, professional connections, and a much deeper understanding of what it takes to develop and produce a film.

For students considering film school, a career in the entertainment industry, or simply wanting to seriously pursue filmmaking, the Teen Filmmaker Lab provides a place to create, collaborate, take responsibility, and experience filmmaking at a more professional level.

1. Who is the Teen Filmmaker Lab for?

The Teen Filmmaker Lab is designed for students ages 15–19 who are interested in filmmaking and want to develop their skills through hands-on, collaborative projects.

2. Where is the program offered?

The 2027 Teen Filmmaker Lab will have cohorts in Seattle, Portland, and Boise. Students apply to the cohort that is most convenient for them.

3. When does the program begin?

The 2027 program begins in December 2026 and continues through Summer 2027.

4. What will students actually do?

Students will develop their own film ideas, learn from professional filmmakers, collaborate with other students, and work through the creative process from development and pre-production through production and post-production.

5. Is this a filmmaking class or a production program?

It is both. Students receive instruction and mentorship while actively developing and producing creative work. The goal is to give students meaningful experience with the filmmaking process, not simply teach filmmaking concepts.

6. Who teaches the program?

Students work with professional filmmakers, educators, and industry mentors who provide instruction, feedback, and guidance throughout the program.

7. Does a student need filmmaking experience to apply?

No. Previous filmmaking experience is helpful, but it is not required. We are looking for students who are creative, curious, committed, and genuinely interested in making films.

8. How much time should students expect to commit?

The Lab is designed for students who are prepared to make filmmaking a meaningful part of their schedule. In addition to scheduled sessions, students should expect time for developing ideas, completing assignments, collaborating with their cohort, and working on projects outside of class.

9. Is there a cost to participate?

The Teen Filmmaker Lab is a grant-supported program. Selected students receive support to participate in the program. Additional details about eligibility and participation are provided during the application process.

10. How do students apply?

Students interested in participating should complete the 2027 Teen Filmmaker Lab application. Because cohort sizes are limited, students are encouraged to apply early. Students interested in Seattle, Portland, or Boise are also encouraged to participate in our upcoming Development Workshops.

The Program

The Teen Filmmaker Lab is a year-long filmmaking experience that follows the complete filmmaking process, from the first story idea through production, post-production, and festival submission.

Fall: Story Development Workshop

Students develop original ideas and explore what makes a story compelling, producible, and uniquely their own.

• Develop and refine original story ideas

• Explore screenwriting, story structure, characters, and themes

• Write and revise scripts

• Learn how professional writers and showrunners develop projects

• Explore visual storytelling and directing choices

• Receive feedback from instructors, mentors, and fellow filmmakers

• Begin developing a project that can move into production

Winter: Pre-Production

Students move from creative development into the practical work required to prepare a film for production.

• Break down scripts and develop production plans

• Develop budgets and production schedules

• Explore fundraising and financing strategies for student projects

• Develop pitch materials and visual references

• Create storyboards and shot lists

• Explore casting, crew positions, and department responsibilities

• Scout and prepare locations

• Develop production design concepts

• Conduct table reads and creative workshops

• Work with mentors in directing, producing, cinematography, Assistant Directing, production design, and other production disciplines

• Learn how professional productions are organized and prepared

Spring: Production

This is where students move onto the set and experience the collaborative process of actually making a film.

Students work within a professional-style production environment, taking on meaningful responsibilities while working alongside their cohort, instructors, and professional mentors.

• Participate in hands-on film production

• Experience the roles and workflow of a professional film set

• Work with directors, producers, Assistant Directors, cinematographers, lighting teams, production designers, editors, and other crew

• Learn how departments communicate and work together

• Work within production schedules and budgets

• Experience blocking, rehearsals, camera setups, lighting, sound, and coverage

• Take on crew and production responsibilities

• Make creative and logistical decisions under real production constraints

• Learn how to solve problems that arise during production

• Receive guidance from working industry professionals throughout the process

The goal is not simply to make a film. It is to give students an elevated understanding of how a professional production actually operates.

Summer: Post-Production & Festival Preparation

After production, students work through the post-production process and learn how a project becomes a finished film.

• Edit and refine footage

• Explore professional editing and post-production workflows

• Work with sound, music, graphics, color, and finishing

• Review cuts and incorporate creative feedback

• Prepare final deliverables

• Develop filmmaker statements and project descriptions

• Learn about film festivals and submission strategies

• Identify appropriate youth and independent film festivals

• Prepare eligible projects for potential submission to festivals such as NFFTY and SIFF

• Participate in screenings and program events

• Celebrate the completed work with the filmmaking community

Professional Mentorship

Throughout the Lab, students have opportunities to learn from working filmmakers and creative professionals across the production process, including:

Showrunning • Screenwriting • Producing • Directing • Assistant Directing • Cinematography • Lighting & Grip • Production Design • Editing • Sound • Casting • Post-Production • Film Festivals • Fundraising • Budgeting & Production Management

Mentorship is integrated into the filmmaking process, allowing students to learn not only how something is done, but why professional filmmakers make the creative and production decisions they do.

Exclusive Opportunities

Teen Filmmaker Lab participants may have opportunities to:

• Develop and produce original short films

• Work with Cherry Street Films and professional industry mentors

• Gain elevated, hands-on experience within a professional-style film production environment

• Build experience across multiple filmmaking departments

• Learn how to budget, schedule, fundraise, and plan a production

• Develop a portfolio of original creative work

• Prepare eligible films for potential festival submissions

• Connect with filmmakers and creative professionals

• Participate in Youth Advisory Board and Production Council opportunities

• Screen and share their work with an audience

• Build the experience, portfolio, and professional awareness needed to continue pursuing filmmaking

This is your sign to apply

• Learn by Doing: Build practical filmmaking skills through hands-on workshops, creative development, and collaborative projects.

• Work With Mentors: Learn from working filmmakers and experienced instructors.

• Develop Your Own Ideas: Explore storytelling, directing, producing, cinematography, editing, and other areas of filmmaking.

• Collaborate With Other Filmmakers: Join a community of young creatives who share your passion for telling stories.

• Gain Real Production Experience: Develop projects from the earliest idea through production and presentation.

• Build Your Portfolio: Prepare for Film School, Festivals & Future Opportunities