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.

apply to Reel Voices!See the Reel Voices Archive

What's in it for students?

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.

Here's what alumni have to say

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.”

Winter Smiley

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."

Sienna DiMuro

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.

Rebecca Liu

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.”

Emily Johnson

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.”

Kristal Salazar

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.”

Melissa Ruegg

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!”

Angeleena Tiaokhlao

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."

Angel Gatus

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.

Loska Charles

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."

Harrison Tong

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."

Adam Lee

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. "

Alaysja Clark

Black Hair Magic

Class of 2017

Class of 2024

Alex Zhang

Pronouns: they/them Inspiration: studio Ghibli animations and analog horror stuff on YouTube Film related memories: 7th grade TV broadcasting class (made the news show for my middle school, learned how to use green screens, cameras, and basic video editing software) Want to learn how to use Adobe premiere

Bayani Dizon

I am 17 and my pronouns are he/him. I was born in Oregon but moved to San Diego when I was 14. I hope to learn more about cinematography and video editing and I am deeply interested in them. I hope to leave an impact with this program and make a film that is inspiring. I first became interested in cameras and other related topics when I was in the 9th grade. I was given my grandpa's old camera and used it for school events, and when I went out for fun. I have always wanted to improve my skills with the camera and for that reason I am deeply excited for my time with Reel Voices!

Isabel Lai

Hello! I am Isabel, a rising senior at Canyon Crest Academy. I am so excited to be joining this year's Reel Voices cohort and cannot wait to see what amazing pieces everyone creates! I have always had an certain love for digital media, whether it is taking goofy pictures from my family trip to creating little promotional videos schools. Ghibli movies, especially those made by Hayao Miyazaki, have provided a haven for my mind. It is not only the whimsical art or the cute creatures that makes these films so special, but also the passion felt through the screen of the filmmakers tirelessly animating each scene. I am wholeheartedly inspired by the amount of hard work showcased by Miyazaki in his movies and aspire to be able to display that same amount of passion in my own work.

Jonah Ruehrwein

My name is Jonah and the main things that inspire me are things from my life that have been interpreted by other artists and creators I enjoy. Being able to think about the way I could put my own spin or experiences on something I enjoy has always been really dope to me. I want to be a therapist when I grow up so I can use these kid of things to help other people, as I've been told I'm pretty good at that.

Jose Base

I want to film something that represents the effort that a sport makes and the limits to which it can reach, the good and the bad in general. [In my freetime] I like to practice with my guitar and trying to sing.

Josselyn DeGennaro

Hi! I'm Josselyn, and I'm so excited to be a part of Reel Voices this year! Aside from watching and learning about film, some of my many hobbies include drawing, listening to music, and playing the piano. I'm in a jazz quartet in my free time and I love playing and watching live music! I'm an incoming senior in high school & I can't wait to go to college and learn more about what I love. Some of my favorite movies include La La Land, Forrest Gump, and Whiplash.

Leeana Rangel

My name is Leeana and I am 16. I grew up watching and loving horror movies, but my love for film didn’t really start until about 7th grade. Before that, though, I was already interested in photography and loved taking photos of anything. I also edit as a hobby and have been doing it since 2019. My main inspiration comes from everyone’s different life experiences. I think it’s very interesting how everyone experiences life differently and how life can look and feel very different from person to person. I have always been scared to try and make a film and even more nervous to make a documentary, but I’m still very excited to see what I can create.

Levi Alam

Hi! I´m Levi (he/him) I´m 17 years old and a rising senior at CCA. I've always been amazed by film making, but it seemed too intimidating for me to really try it out, so I instead spend my time exploring other forms of art like sculpture, writing, and my personal favorite lighting design because ooo pretty lights. But anyways! My goal in this program is to try something new, meet new people, and make a personal documentary in hopes that at least one person in the world can relate.

Mia Gazzio

My name is Mia, I'm 17 years old and of Colombian-Italian descent. I was also born in Brooklyn, New York. My film goals (even though I probably sound really pretentious) are to be able to capture experiences on film that can generate discussion and different interpretations. My main film aspirations are D.A. Pennebaker, Orson Welles, John Cassavetes, and Elaine May, but my inspirations in general are mainly from my cultural background and the loved ones around me. One of my most cherished film-related memories are when I joined my school's film club and we all contributed to a short film that was shown on the school news at the end of the year. My personal aspirations are to eventually join the film industry, either by helping make movies or by writing about movies (like as a film critic/historian).

Talan Alzona-Paulus

Hey, I’m Talan. I’m 17, and I’ve been drawn to film for as long as I can remember. Whether I’m behind the camera directing, writing scenes that feel real, or stepping into someone else’s shoes through acting. Film isn’t just a hobby for me, it’s a way of seeing the world, understanding people, and giving voice to the things we often keep quiet. I’m a big believer that stories should reflect life, not just the highlights, but the quiet, messy, beautiful, and painful parts too. I want to make films that sit with people long after the credits roll. Stories that someone can see themselves in, even when they thought no one else would understand. What inspires me most is real emotion. Those unspoken moments between people, the kind of scenes that feel so personal it’s like they were written just for you. That’s what I want to create: films that feel like a mirror, showing people both the good and the bad, and letting them know that both are worth sharing. For me, film is about connection. And I hope the stories I tell help people feel a little more seen in this world.

Yaeji Kim

Hi! I'm Yaeji, and I am fifteen years old. Documentaries usually scare me, but I'm excited to push the bounds of my own creativity, especially since this will be my first solo project. I just hope to expand my film skillset and meet a talented cohort of filmmakers.

Zemirah-Azaleah Fesili (Zaza)

Hi My name is Zemirah-Azaleah Fesili but my family just calls me zaza for short. I am currently a junior going into my senior year, c/o 2026, at OHS and was born and raised in Oceanside, Ca. What inspires me to make films is the love I always had of watching shows, movies, youtube videos, and all the in between. Watching films was always such a comfort to me, especially ones that were relatable, which inspires me to make films talking about life and being such a good film maker that people can have the same experience.

Reel Voices

It’s time to pass the mic to the next generation of storytellers