Fresh Films DT

The?I Am disABLEd?premiere at SXSW EDU was more than just a screening—it was a powerful moment of visibility, belonging, and empowerment for the disability community. A packed house watched as the film illuminated stories that too often go unheard, and the emotional reactions from audience members made it clear: representation matters. Attendees were visibly moved, with many sharing how deeply the documentary resonated with them and reinforced the need for greater inclusion in every space. As Melanie Robinson, M.Ed. of the Texas Education Agency shared, “The power of this documentary highlighting the importance of belonging within all of us is incredible.” At Fresh Films, we don’t just tell stories—we equip the next generation of filmmakers with the skills, experience, and industry connections to launch their careers. Events like?I Am disABLEd?at SXSW show just how far their work can go—reaching major industry stages, sparking meaningful conversations, and making a lasting impact. Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and joined in on this impactful conversation. A special thanks to all the youth who worked on this film. We are so thankful and proud of all those who had a hand in making I Am disABLEd come to life. #SXSWEDU #IAmdisABLEd Theo Ogunyode, Josh Romero , Teri Yago-Ryan, Kelli Feigley Amy Calderone-Blommer

We’re headed to SXSW EDU! ?? I AM disABLEd, one of just nine films selected for this year’s festival. This powerful documentary is already being called a “masterpiece of humanity and a feel-good movie,” sparking conversations about inclusion and the de-stigmatization of disability. Will you be there?—we’d love to connect! When: March 5, 2025 Time: 1:30 PM CT - 3:00 PM CT Where: Austin Convention Center | Ballroom A Watch the trailer: https://lnkd.in/ecQT9EiJ #SXSWEDU #IAMdisABLEd #FreshFilms

?? Fresh Films Featured on ABC7 Chicago! ?? Incredible news—Fresh Films was spotlighted on ABC 7 Chicago, featuring the inspiring journeys of Kayla Sullers & Zelalem Cole-Ubuntu! This segment highlights how hands-on industry experience is transforming the futures of young filmmakers, providing them with real-world skills, mentorship, and career pathways. Watch the full feature: https://lnkd.in/eFYSWrYw This work is more important than ever, and together, we’re ensuring that the next generation of diverse storytellers has the access and opportunities they deserve. #FreshFilms #FutureFilmmakers #YouthEmpowerment

Heartfelt thanks to former Nickelodeon Tv powerhouse Steve Burns aka Fresh Films DT “client”, partnering with us to flip the script and bring real-world workforce opportunities to teens and young adults from underserved communities across the U.S.

"It's something I can really imagine myself doing in the future!" - Fresh Films Student Here’s an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at our students bringing their creativity to life as they filmed official music videos for Steve Burns—musician, beloved Blue’s Clues host, and the artist behind the Young Sheldon theme song! These hands-on experiences aren't just inspiring—they’re life changing. Thanks to the support of our incredible partners and donors, students aren’t just imagining a future in film and media—they’re actively building one. Your support fuels these moments, shaping careers and opening doors that once seemed out of reach. Together, we’re creating opportunities that last a lifetime.

With federal arts funding facing ongoing challenges, we want to take a moment to stress just how vital our arts partners are. Their support ensures that young creatives don’t lose access to the hands-on filmmaking experiences, industry mentorship, and career pathways that shape the future of creatives. Thank you to our arts partners for all of their ongoing support: National Endowment for the Arts Iowa Arts Council Illinois Arts Council Georgia Council For The Arts Fitchburg Cultural Council LeominsterCultural Council Mass Cultural Council Fulton County Arts Council City of Atlanta - Municipal Arts Council Investing in the arts means investing in the future—empowering the next generation of storytellers and creators. Thank you for making these life-changing opportunities possible! #SupportTheArts #FreshFilms #InvestInCreativity

This week, our San Marcos Fresh Films class had the incredible opportunity to step behind the scenes at American Idol auditions at the iconic Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles. This wasn't just a tour—it was a firsthand look at how large-scale productions come to life. Supervising Producer Patrick Lynn from Fremantle shared insights into the fast-paced world of television, offering students a glimpse into career pathways in entertainment and the skills needed to thrive in the industry. Experiences like this bridge the gap between education and career readiness, ensuring young creatives are prepared to step into professional roles. A huge thank you to Fremantle for their continued support in making these moments possible! #FutureFilmmakers #WorkforceDevelopment #EntertainmentIndustry #FreshFilms

Our Weekly Program is off to an exciting start with a music video project featuring Steve Burns—the talented artist behind the Young Sheldon theme song and former host of Blue’s Clues! Our students are gaining hands-on experience, collaborating with Steve to bring fresh music videos to life while developing their creative and technical skills. These real-world opportunities give young creatives a chance to develop industry experience and explore future careers. Take a look at what Steve and our students are working on—stay tuned for the full music videos, premiering on YouTube on February 11th! ??

We are thrilled to announce that I AM disABLEd, a Fresh Films production, is 1 of the 9 films that have been selected for SXSW EDU 2025! ?? SXSW is one of the TOP film festivals WORLDWIDE! I AM disABLEd follows nine incredible youth with disabilities as they stage Seussical the Musical. The film spotlights their abilities, similarities, and the power of inclusion. The film ignites conversations about destigmatization and celebrates everyone’s unique strengths. Watch the trailer: https://lnkd.in/ecQT9EiJ The SXSW EDU Film Program highlights narratives and documentaries focused on education, including stories like ours that address social impacts on learning and inspire inclusion and action. Congratulations to our amazing cast and to the Fresh Films youth crew who worked across all aspects of the production. For more information about SXSW EDU and our screening, click here: https://lnkd.in/g468kU5m #SXSWEDU #IAmAble #Inclusion #FreshFilms #YouthFilmmaking

Last week, we celebrated an incredible milestone with the premiere of Roku Change Makers Season 3! ?? 7 short films—created by Fresh Films youth filmmakers —are now streaming to over 90 million+ subscribers on The Roku Channel! A huge thank you to Roku for providing such an amazing platform to showcase young talent. The premiere was made even more special as attendees had the chance to meet the filmmakers and hear firsthand about their creative journeys and experiences behind the camera. At Fresh Films, we are proud to provide opportunities that help youth to develop their skills, learn first-hand, and reach major audiences. Don’t miss these inspiring stories streaming now on The Roku Channel: https://lnkd.in/gZ4bSjSS