(CAMDEN, NJ) -- Several students from the IDEA Center for the Arts Multimedia program in Camden had films selected in this year's African American Women in Cinema (AAWIC) Film Festival (March 23-25, 2023). AAWIC is an organization which drives the recognition of women of color in the film industry and provides arts and cultural educational programs, in addition to providing an amazing annual platform for women around the world to showcase their work. This year, AAWIC President Terra Renee connected with IDEA about a powerful partnership that ultimately led to the “Next Generation Filmmakers” segment of this year's awards.

In IDEA’s program, these young women learned script writing, how to cast roles, directing their film, and the editing process.  IDEA is honored to have the youngest nominee in the festival, Justice Hayman, a nine-year-old young woman who scripted, directed, and acted in a short film called “Broken Pieces.” The film depicts the reality of young women who lose their fathers to incarceration, and the devastating impacts it has. “I know this is just the beginning for me and I still have a lot to learn but I’m excited about my future as a filmmaker. I want to let the world know about the different things kids deal with in life”, says Justice.

IDEA encourages their youth to create films that will shine the light on issues that impact us all. The institute which has provided services for youth and professional artists in the city for twenty six years has been dedicated to providing a platform to create. Other students in the program assisted with all production aspects of each film including the support from IDEA’s professional staff. This opportunity for the youth to be a part of this year’s film festival has boosted the confidence of each student to continue to create more films.

Kyla Wright, a thirteen year old young woman from Camden and a student at L.E.A.P Academy created and directed two short films in the festival, “Notebook” and “Quiet”. These two films highlight the struggles of mental illness and the challenges that many young women face on a daily basis. 

One of the parents involved with IDEA, Safiya “Miss Fiyah” Collymore, wrote and directed the short film, “No means No” which is about women being strong and standing up for themselves in light of the hardships they face simply because they are women.

IDEA encourages everyone to support their youth and register to see these films when they are debuted during the film festival beginning Friday, March 24th, 2023. You can get information about the Festival and purchase your ticket by clicking here, visit the Festival website, or view the Festival agenda here.

Institute for the Development of Education in the Arts (IDEA) is an arts education and creative learning organization whose mission is to connect underserved  youth and their families to the life enhancing quality of the arts. Their work is about building socially resourceful and vibrant communities by strengthening human potential through creativity culture and arts based learning.

Part of their mission is to train and support regional youth and young adults with employment and skills training in the multimedia arts for the creative economy related businesses and employment. The IDEA Performing Arts Center also serves as a home base for talented and diverse artists who inspire, support, and enlighten the community through their performances and exhibitions.