On June 9th, 18 year old Chris Irrizarry accepted his National Student Emmy for Best Documentary at a gala ceremony at New York's Marriot Marquis in Times Square.

“When I walked on the stage, it was like, wow! I‘m actually winning an Emmy!” Said Chris after receiving his crystal statue. “I felt noticed. I felt appreciated for the work that I did. It made me think what other stories I could tell.” Chris has joined the Lab’s new Master Class where he is developing a new documentary about himself and his three brothers, all of whom have dealt with their mother’s addiction differently. “The Lab was one of the best experiences I ever had. It opened my eyes to look at life in a better perspective.”

Lab Grads, Jerome Nelson, 18, and Naiquan Greene, 17, both from Cobble Hill High School, will present their films to Brooklyn moviegoers as part of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy's Summer Movies In Motion series.

Reporters from Daily News, News Channel 12 Brooklyn and the New Yorker magazine were there to capture the premier of Nelson's "Whistle Blower" which opened before "The Wizard of Oz" on June 6th. Greene's "Superstar" will open for Priscilla Queen of the Desert on August 3rd.

It's not all about making great films. The Lab changes the lives of our teen filmmakers in profound ways. A recent survey of The Lab's Fall 2005 class by Owen Consulting measured significant improvements in participant's self-esteem, ability to follow through on projects, and orientation towards the future. Upon completing the Lab, teens felt more in control of their lives, better about their personal decisions and more valued by their communities.

Lab filmmakers are winning honors at film festivals nationwide!

Michael Thomas (Fall 2004) won the 1st Annual Magnolia Teen Filmmaker Award at Teen Screen, Atlanta Film Festival for his film “To Serve.” Kiri Davis (Spring 2005) won the Audience Award and Sterling Short Honorable Mention at Silverdocs/AFI Festival in Maryland for “A Girl Like Me.” Lizbeth Mejia (Spring 2005) was awarded the Certificate of Merit at the Future Filmmakers Festival in Chicago for her powerful film about teen pregnancy, “Journey to the Unknown.” Liz will speak on a panel entitled “Youth Reclaiming the Media” as part of the Art for Change/New York International Latino Film Festival Vanguard Series on Thursday, July 27th at 6:00 p.m. Rooftop Films will screen "Skin and Bones" by Bronwyn Holmes (Fall 2004) as part of the 2006 Rooftop Films Summer Series. Her film will be screening Sunday, August 13th at the Solar One Pier on 23rd Street and the East River in Manhattan, as part of the Home Movies Program.

Over 10,000 viewers have seen our The Lab's films in 2006.

Reel Works is thrilled to acknowledge and welcome the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton, LLP as our newest corporate sponsor with their generous gift of $5,000 for general operating support.

"Debevoise's contribution to Reel Works is a natural extension of our longstanding commitment to support pro bono activities in the communities where we are located," says partner Paul Wilson, "Reel Works, which came to our attention this year as we planned the celebration of our 75th anniversary, is important way to give a voice to young members of our community. "

Reel Works receives additional funding from Time Warner, The Surdna Foundation, HBO, The New York Community Trust, The YMCA of Greater New York, Independence Community Foundation, The Guild Family Foundation, Con Edison, JP Morgan Chase, The New York State Council of the Arts, The City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs, The Brooklyn Arts Council, The Park Slope Civic Council and numerous generous individuals.