This program provides strategy and guidance to young storytellers towards professional paths in the film industry.
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 2025 and will be every other Saturday from 12–3pm at the SFFILM FilmHouse. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory.
Along with building upon filmmaking skills and meeting a cohort of peers and professional industry contacts, added benefits include a scholarship to the next session of 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
Applications for the Fall 2025 Youth FilmHouse Residency will be open mid-August. For any questions please contact Education Manager Soph Schultz Rocha at sschultzrocha@sffilm.org.