Community

Welcome to the Reel Works Community. Below you can learn more about our extraordinary mentors and the inspiring young filmmakers they are matched with.

Additionally, we're proud to announce our first ever Junior Advisory Board (JAB). JAB was born from the need to involve students in meaningful ways both in and beyond the classroom. We want to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their talents, skills and interests while continuing to develop new skills. We also want to give students more ownership of the programs they attend.

First and foremost, student input can improve and strengthen programs in ways that we could not do alone. Students bring new energy and ideas to the program. Second, student leadership provides opportunities for students to get involved and to learn skills that can be transferable to the workplace or community. Finally, student leadership deepens each student's commitment to personal growth and increases the chances of continuing to learn.

Programs

Meet the Mentors & Mentees

Junior Advisory Board

Recent Films

Ripple

A young filmmaker talks to veteran civil rights activists about their fight of equality and their sense of how the struggle continues to this day.

Ask the Question

A short student film about the changing New York City public school system.

Shahalam and I

People don't get autism. The media portrays autistic people as slow and "special", but Kamilah knows different. She shares her brother's goals and dreams to help people understand that he isn't so different from other kids his age.

Beyond the Block

Daquan profiles his two friends,Evan and Rico - two young artists,striving to overcome circumstance and heartbreak , in hopes that one day their talent will take them"Beyond the Block".

Black and White in the City of Lights

Hazkel didn't want to leave his his life in Costa Rica to move to the U.S. He reflects on how hard it was to transition to a new country, to feel isolated and suddenly uncertain about his identity. Through art, filmmaking, and sports, Hazkel develops a strong sense of self, and finds a new community and home.

Life Under Construction

Karim hoped that moving to the U.s would solve all his problems. He soon learned that changing one's location isn't the solution; it's about staying true to yourself, maintaining a desire to learn and develop, and believing that things can always get better.