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Since 2005, Pacific Arts Movement has empowered local high school students to learn the art of documentary filmmaking. This 8-week summer class helps students become socially-conscious storytellers, learn video editing, and experience all stages of production. Students choose their own topics ranging from self love, mental health, social issues, cultural identity and more in stories that are both personal and deeply relevant to the broader San Diego community.
Students receive a $500 scholarship for their work, which premieres at the annual San Diego Asian Film Festival in November. After the films hosted online, and screened at festivals around the world. Previous Reel Voices students have used their works to earn additional scholarships to film school.
A $500 scholarship
Your work premiered at the next San Diego Asian Film Festival. Past RV students have even shown their films in other festivals!
An education in video editing and experience at every stage of production. Get access to filmmaking equipment and software used by the industry.
A mentorship with an experienced filmmaker throughout the course. Have one-on-one conversations with an industry professional about your project while gaining valuable insight and confidence.
I found a way of sharing my story—our story—through film. Reel Voices taught me to see film not just as a form of art, but as a way of resistance. To say yes. We exist. Yes, we matter. Our stories matter. And they deserve to be listened to, to be seen.”
Motherlands
Class of 2016
Reel Voices was the most amazing experience I've had so far in my lifetime. Reel Voices made me realize there is a way of putting out my voice into the world for others to hear and that my voice is still important and it can impact many people."
Miracle Baby
Class of 2016
Reel Voices does a great job of fostering a creative learning environment through its talented, super-nice instructors and passionate students.
It's a Process
Class of 2014
As a child, I had a hard time figuring out my identity and did not really have a figure to look up to that reflected me in American pop culture… With Reel Voices, I have received a clear example of the need to act upon something to make a change.”
Naruwan Taiko
Class of 2012
Reel Voices really cemented my goal of being a filmmaker because while my school has given me opportunities to make videos, I think Reel Voices gave me the closest experience to what filmmaking is like.”
Being Diabetic
Class of 2013
I came into Reel Voices knowing that I wanted to be a filmmaker, and I left with more confidence in my decision. Reel Voices allowed me to give a voice to someone who always felt like they didn’t have one.”
bloom
Class of 2014
It was an eye-opener to all things possible in film as a career and I know that if I do decide to pursue film, Reel Voices will be have been the great first step!”
Breaking Reality
Class of 2013
Making this film has been so rewarding and I hope that people can learn something from my film and try to make a difference in our world today."
Musical Warrior
Class of 2010
Reel Voices opened the light to my dark world allowing me to find myself as an individual, giving me the opportunity to use media to communicate my message. This program has been one of the biggest challenges that I had to go through.
The Almost Lost Generation
Class of 2008
Reel Voices made my dream to become a filmmaker more realistic and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to tell stories through film."
Out of Bounds
Class of 2008
This internship cemented my passion to become a filmmaker and was one of the major reasons I got into film school."
Film A Modern Witch Hunt: The Dale Akiki Story
Class of 2007
I had a fantastic time with Reel Voices. It opened my eyes to so many different creative platforms. I also learned a lot more about myself and my culture. Getting to choose my topic was awesome because it meant so much to me. "
Black Hair Magic
Class of 2017
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Hi! I’m Audrey. My pronouns are she/her and I’m sixteen years old. I’m so excited to explore new forms of filmmaking; I’ve never made a documentary before and I’m so ready to try it out! In my free time, I love walking my rabbit which usually just consists of me carrying him to a patch of grass and letting him run around on a leash. Maybe I’ll make a documentary about him one day.
Hi!! I’m Aysha Lopez, Im 15 years old. This upcoming year I will transition to my junior year at Orange Glen High School in Escondido where I will continue being a part of the middle college program. My goals during my time in the Reel Voices program is to share awareness and mainly just provide that comfort into the film I create. I believe cinema is crucially important and being able to create a film of my own where I get to direct and try new things is what Im looking forward to. In the future I plan to make a meaningful impact and although I don’t know what I will major in I’m driven by a desire to continuously learn and grow.
Hi, my name is Hanson. My dream is to one day direct my very own feature film and have it screened in cinemas worldwide. My favorite film-related memory to date was screening and presenting a short film that I made with my friends on the big screen. In my free time, I like to eat with friends, go thrifting, take naps, watch films, and create Spotify playlists.
Hi! I’m Jayden. I’m in ninth grade and trying my best to just survive. I believe that Film is a really convenient way to both communicate to everyone and work with other people. It’s also a really great way to leave your mark on this world. Personally though, I don’t concern myself too hard with my legacy and aspirations. I’m just here to have some fun, learn a bit, and tell a new story.
Hi i’m Josh. I’m 15 years old, my pronouns are he/him. I am a Korean American who speaks no Korean but is fluent in Chinese, and I currently attend WSC (Webb Schools of California), which is a boarding school in Claremont, CA. Ever since I was young I have always been active in the water and currently enjoy surfing, playing water polo, and swimming. Outside the water, I’ve also played the violin since I was five and developed a large liking towards music leading to my interest in other forms of art. Most of this interest has been in film as it has always captured my attention from the power and emotion films can bring, from movies like Dead Poets Society to Wiplash. Although I am pretty new to the whole filmmaking stuff, I am excited to be part of Reel Voices and learn how to express creativity and ideas through a film.
Hi! My name is Kayla Yoo and I am a rising senior at Torrey Pines High School. In my free time you can find me hanging out with friends, listening to music, getting matcha, and playing golf. I have always loved watching different films, documentaries, shows, and K-dramas and spend a lot of time either starting or rewatching them as comfort. Films with beautiful cinematography and a compelling storyline never fails to grasp my attention and keep me seated. I am excited to be a part of Reel Voices to learn new skills of filmmaking and meeting new people!
Hi!! My name is Mariska Nouvong (she/her). I am 17 years old and will soon be a senior at HSHMC. I am Asian American (half Filipino and half Laotian) and was born and raised here in San Diego. Some of my hobbies are playing volleyball, baking, and hanging out with my friends. At school, I am involved in many extracurriculars, such as volleyball, ASB, yearbook, acting club, and more. But one of my favorite clubs is our Broadcasting club, where we produce the school news, and I am one of the co-presidents. I have been both in front of and behind the camera when it comes to filmmaking. So, I am excited to learn more about film and gain some new skills through Reel Voices!
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My pronouns are he/him, Laotian-American, my mom inspires me, I have a lot of experience being in photos and videos because my mom taking nonstop pictures all the time. I don’t have much experience with film, but I’m hope to learn a lot from this program.
Hi! My name is Minhtu (min-too), my pronouns are she/her, and I am Vietnamese American. I am 15 and go to Eastlake High School as an incoming sophomore. I love baking, writing, and making music. I also like to paint, but I’m really bad at it. I am inspired by my Grandfather, aunt, and cousin, who all chose to pursue the creative side of them, being poets, filmmakers, and artists. I grew up making a lot of mini films and got one of them into a film festival! I am trying to improve my public speaking abilities by participating in speech contests. I am in multiple clubs at Eastlake High School, such as Robotics, Books Beyond Borders, and Junior Optimist, which I will be president of next year. I am so excited to participate in this program over the summer!!!
I’m just one of the few million high school students trying to figure out life, chasing dreams and getting lost from time to time. My journey to filmmaking started from my desire to express different thoughts, which I learned that film is a comprehensive medium that integrates all sorts of art forms. I listen to all kinds of music genres, from classical to new age, indie, rock, rap and others. I also enjoy following sports, watching movies, practicing my instruments (not so consistently) and reading books (sometimes). I want to produce films that integrate and reflect these different parts of my life and the insights that I’ve gained along the way. Something you actually say: We gon’ be alright.
Hi! My name is Miranda Fecher (she/her), and I am a soon-to-be senior at Eastlake High School! My current aspirations are to be an environmental engineer and I have continued many hobbies through clubs at my school! Since I was little, I’ve always been interested in the arts, more specifically, the expression of feelings and thoughts through movements, music, and paintings. With this, I quickly started my journey with music through the violin at age five which I’ve still continued to keep up all these years. Recently, through my school research class, I’ve been introducing myself to learning the importance of how films and movies can help people perceive certain social issues, which led me to reel voices! I would love to learn more about the art of film and expand my knowledge of this!
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9685 Via Excelencia, Unit 108
San Diego, CA 92126
P: 619-400-5911
E: info@pacarts.org
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