oung Women in Film Empowers the Next Generation of Female Filmmakers
A partnership of the AFI Conservatory and the Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation (WJSFF), the Young Women in Film Intensive is an eight-week filmmaking training program held on the AFI Campus for promising female high school students from Los Angeles.
Students learn the art of filmmaking, with training in pitching, screenwriting, producing, production design, directing, cinematography and editing — all with mentorship and state-of-the-art technological resources. Participants work together in teams alongside AFI Conservatory Fellows and alumni to create a series of short films to be screened for audiences on campus. In making their films, students have access to professional actors from the SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Conservatory, which is based on the AFI Campus.
The March–May 2019 edition was comprised 45 students from Immaculate Heart High School, Synergy Quantum Academy High School and ICEF (Inner City Education Foundation) View Park Preparatory Accelerated Charter High School. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
The 2019 program produced six short films: THE CALL, THE SECRET, HAPPY HOUR, 777, LILIES & KNIVES and WEDDING DAY.
