Cinema Speakeasy

Cinema Speakeasy is proud to present a showcase of short films produced by incarcerated youth through the Films by Youth Inside (FYI) program.

Date: Tuesday May 4th at 7:45 PM
Place: Echo Park Film Center (1200 N. Alvarado St. @ Sunset, Los Angeles 90026)
Cost: $5 at the door (half goes to the venue, half goes to FYI)
Bring: Drinks, a smile.

FILM PROGRAM

• SOUTH CENTRAL DAZE (TRT 7:40): From California – When Marquis promises his girlfriend to end his streak of home burglaries – he is tempted to do one more to win the favor of his homeys.
• ELEVATOR (TRT 3:20): From California – When a young man encounters someone who may be his runaway father, his hostilities cannot be contained.
• PAID WRONG (TRT 6:50): From California – When Joel is released from an LA probation camp, he aims to marry his girlfriend. But has she been loyal?
• LOVE BETWEEN A BOY AND GIRL (TRT 6:30): From California – Seventeen year old Miguel must choose between his two baby’s mamas.
• SECOND CHANCES (TRT 8:00): Dirs.: Hawaii Youth Correction Facility Students – A gifted high school football player has the whole world ahead of him – a college scholarship, a chance to improve the life of himself and his mother, and a way to escape his fatherless past. Yet he is willing to risk it all for a quick fix.
• OUR PATH, OUR JOURNEY, OUR VOICE (TRT 9:00) Dirs.: Steve M., Francis T., Jayanna P., Jon M. – A group of student internees at Guam’s Department of Youth Affairs share their experiences as they prepare to participate in a documentary film project sponsored by DYA and L.A.-based FYI: Films by Youth Inside.

ABOUT FILMS BY YOUTH INSIDE (FYI)

For decades, Los Angeles County has been in the grip of a gang and youth crime epidemic.  According to CAL/GANG, a statewide database maintained by the California Department of Justice, Los Angeles County is home to 1,108 gangs with 85,298 members.  The influence of gang culture on communities and individual is inescapable.  At any given time, approximately 5,000 young people between the ages of 14 and 20 are in Los Angeles County correctional facilities (source: Los Angeles County Department of Corrections).

These are, in many respects, children who have already been left behind.  Los Angeles’ poorly performing school system and shortage of organized cultural and recreational programs have had lasting effects on young people. Job prospects are bleak. The effects of these societal problems are often compounded by shattered families and entrenched poverty.

Films by Youth Inside (FYI) is an ongoing program that provides educational and creative options to incarcerated youth. Program participants learn the basics of screenwriting and filmmaking from film industry professionals and create short films expressive of their own life experiences. The filmmaking process helps participants gain perspective on their lives and their actions, while imparting valuable work and life skills.  Just as important, the films themselves provide a variety of audiences insight into the cultural and societal currents that may give rise to youth violence.

Come support FYI and meet Alex Munoz, who will be on hand to explain the process behind the films.

Filed under: Screening, Alex Munoz, FYI, incarcerated youth, los angeles, short film