Feb 19, 2026
SFFILM Education’s Youth FilmHouse Residency, in partnership with SFFILM Makers, is an annual program that begins in the Fall semester for Bay Area students grades 9–12 who identify themselves as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC) and are excited to explore careers in film and filmmaking.
Throughout the residency, students have engaged with other SFFILM residents, SFFILM staff, film industry professionals. This year’s curriculum balances practical skills like production strategy and technique along with training, panels, and lectures to highlight industry knowledge and possible career paths through our artist network.
Who are the SFFLM Youth FilmHouse Residents?
Yadiel Abraham
My name is Yadiel and I am a student at San Leandro High. I was originally born in Eritrea but moved here when I was 10 years old and have been living here for 7 to 8 years now. My first experience with a camera was when I had to record a trailer with one of my friends and I decided to get a camera afterwards to explore photography more. I really like working on my video skills and creating meaningful projects through my video production class but also I find videography a way to express how I feel like during that moment.
Who or what inspires you to be a filmmaker?
Someone that inspired me to be a filmmaker is my video production teacher who always pushed me into improving my work day by day.
Dream Campbell
My name is Dream! and I’m a senior at Skyline High School. I live in Oakland. In terms of filmmaking experience, I’ve done a few college classes in digital film/media and an animation summer program, and in my artwork and film projects, I focus on the inner worlds of different minds and perspectives and contrasting them against each other to show the beauty in duality and the power of being different.
Derrick Coney
I’m Derrick Coney, I’m a senior at Berkeley High School going on my third year of making photography art and directing quality films. Recently from my 2024–2025 semester I directed a personal and professional documentary for an organization called Future Filmmakers that housed a theater of over 100 people. I’m ready to take on more responsibility to achieve more accomplishments.
What are some goals you have for your filmmaking career?
My goal is to become a well renowned director whilst becoming a pioneer in the film industry.
Kiyomi DallasKidd
My name is Kiyomi DallasKidd, and I am a junior at the San Domenico School, San Anselmo, CA. I currently direct, animate, and write animated short films, and my ultimate goal is to become a show runner for animated kids’ TV shows and movies. I recently made a short film called Luisa that mixes 2D and stop motion to tell the story of a young girl struggling under the discord of her parents’ arguments. This year, I am working on an educational mini-series of YouTube Shorts called Bay Scouts, targeting middle to elementary students, and another short film highlighting the different ways people cope with losing their loved ones.
Sky Hsu
I’m Sky, a senior from the South Bay. I first fell in love with filmmaking learning to edit on iMovie with my sisters when I was little. Every time I frame a shot or watch a movie, I fall in love with it a little bit more. I want to tell stories that broaden perspectives and start conversations. My experience is mostly self taught in editing, so I’m excited to broaden my skills and meet other aspiring filmmakers.
Who or what inspires you to be a filmmaker?
The movies I watched as a kid like Spirited Away or Up hold so much magic for me. They were my first introduction to cinematic storytelling, saying “hey, you can actually do this as a job,” and I still draw inspiration from them today.
Milani James
I’m Milani, a senior at Saratoga High. I love making satirical action-comedies, psychological dramas, and music videos. As of right now, I’m currently figuring out the logistics of a chase scene for a coming-of-age film I’m directing that touches on roofie culture.
What are some goals you have for your filmmaking career?
I aspire to professionally write and direct feature films, and I’d love to start off by directing music videos.
Julia Livingston
My name is Julia, I live in Redwood City, and I’m a senior at Menlo School. I’ve been taking film classes since my sophomore year, and I recently took a dramatic writing program over the summer at NYU Tisch. In my narrative work, I’ve focused on themes such as the pressure of validation and parental expectations, as seen in my most recent film, Anonymous, which screened at the All-American High School Film Festival in the experimental category.
Who or what inspires you to be a filmmaker?
I’m most inspired by the diverse perspectives I’ve encountered in my life and by the inventive filmmakers who encourage young artists like myself to push boundaries and express their most genuine, creative selves.
Maya Mitchell Flores
My name is Maya Mitchell Flores, and I’m currently a junior at Albany High School. I have always been drawn to storytelling through film. It all started with creating short videos on my mother’s phone, and it grew as I attended film camps. My passion deepened when I began watching classic Noir films with my grandmother. Those hours exploring the shadows and very emotional moods of noir cinema sparked my fascination with visual storytelling. Since then, I’ve participated in Noir film festivals in the Bay Area and immersed myself further in the film world. I’m excited to join the SFFILM program to continue growing as a filmmaker and expand my understanding of how films can connect people.
Kai Moore
My name is Kai Moore, and I am a 12th grade student at Salesian College Preparatory. I have a love for film-making and have written and directed several student films starring my close friends. I have been active in the theater at the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, run a short film club at my school, and am currently applying to college as a film and television production major. My dream is to one day write and direct a film that leaves a lasting impact on the hearts of viewers, just as my favorite pieces of media have done for me.
Who or what inspires you to be a filmmaker?
I pull my inspiration from my own life and the world around me. My experience in other art forms, such as painting, dance, and music allow me to see the world through so many different lenses, and inspire me as a filmmaker.
Vivian Nguyen
My name is Vivian, and I’m a senior at Drew School in San Francisco. I’ve explored filmmaking through school courses, film camps, and personal projects, focusing mostly on narrative storytelling. My work centers on people learning to steady themselves in times of change and on the ways we navigate complex human relationships.
Who or what inspires you to be a filmmaker?
I’m inspired by the world I see around me and my own experiences. I don’t think that any moment is fully meaningless. Each one teaches us about ourselves, and I make films to explore what they mean when put together.
Landon Qizilbash
I’m Landon Qizilbash from Mountain View High School. I’ve been entertaining people as long a I can remember, bringing others joy is where I find joy myself. So my specialty until now has been fun, lighthearted stories, something a family can sit down and enjoy together. Going forward, I hope to both strengthen this voice and diversify my skills in order to create more and better stories.
What are some goals you have for your filmmaking career?
I want to make an action adventure film, which is not easy! It would take a big team, significant budget, and skillful planning. That’s my North Star, we’ll see how I can get there.
Marcus To
Hi! My name is Marcus To, I’m a senior at Sacred Heart Prep, from San Mateo, and I love filmmaking. I particularly enjoy telling stories that are meaningful to me but also quirky and funny. I’m currently taking a film class at my school and I have been making films for about two years now!
What are some goals you have for your filmmaking career?
I want to be able to tell stories that can inspire others and I feel that filmmaking would be a great way for me to use my talents to serve others, and also have fun at the same time!
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