This program provides strategy and guidance to young storytellers towards professional paths in the film industry. Applications for the Fall 2025 Youth FilmHouse Residency are now open!
What is the Youth FilmHouse Residency?
The Youth FilmHouse Residency 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. The residency is co-programmed by SFFILM’s Education and Artist Development teams.
Throughout the residency, students will engage with SFFILM FilmHouse Residents, SFFILM staff in other departments, film industry professionals, and a dynamic curriculum that balances practical skills like production strategy and technique along with trainings, panels, and lectures that highlight industry knowledge and possible career paths through our artist network. As Youth FilmHouse Residents embark on the next stage of their artistic endeavors, we will ensure they are folded into the SFFILM community. By the end of this residency, each student should have a realistic action plan to immediately begin their film career in keeping with their own artistic voice.
Our workshops will take place starting October 11th, 2025 and will be every other Saturday from 12–3pm at the SFFILM FilmHouse. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.
Schedule of Sessions
Additional opportunities may arise. Dates and times may change pending field trips.
- Session #1: October 11th
- Session #2: October 25
- Session #3: November 8 (Time TBD)
- Session #4: November 22nd (Virtual 12-1:30pm)
- Session #5: December 6
- Session #6: January 10
- Session #7: January 24
- Session #8: February 7
- Session #9: February 21
- Session #10: SFFILM Festival (April 23-May 3) Date TBD
Along with building upon filmmaking skills and meeting a cohort of peers and professional industry contacts, the Youth FilmHouse Residency offers added benefits include a scholarship to the upcoming 2026 Youth Filmmakers Camp, tickets to Doc Stories and the SFFILM Festival, and a complimentary SFFILM Membership. Additionally, students will be pre-screeners for the Youth Works short film submissions for the 2026 SFFILM Festival.
To learn more about the previous cohort of Youth FilmHouse Residents check out this Q&A with the 2024 attendees.
Application Information
Deadline to Apply: Friday, September 12th at 11:59 PM PST. Applicants will be notified by September 24th. Students will be asked to apply with an in-progress film project as well as provide a prior work sample. For any questions please contact Education Manager Soph Schultz Rocha at sschultzrocha@sffilm.org.