World Premiere of New Films by the Youth Documentary Academy

The class of 2022 presents 11 new films produced by the Youth Documentary Academy in partnership with faculty filmmakers. Stories from our community as diverse as the youth who made them - from blindness to veganism, from black representation to trans representation, from gun violence to the Covid pandemic - this evening promises to inform, illuminate and entertain.

All screening blocks will be professionally moderated by teen mental health experts and a connections corridor in the lobby will be tabled by local journalists, academic leaders, and community non-profits.

This world premiere is also the closing night celebration of the Youth Media Matters Film Festival co-created by the Youth Documentary Academy and Colorado Springs School District 11.

Sponsored by the Colorado College Department of Film and Media Studies

General admission tickets include screening + popcorn – 6pm, Celeste Theatre (Doors open at 5:30pm)

VIP level tickets include a special reception (hors d'oeuvres and champagne) + meet the filmmakers – 5pm, Cornerstone Center for the Arts.

NOTE: Earlier that day (11/5) the public is invited to the same venue to attend a FREE GEN-Z MEDIA LAB. Attendees will watch compelling YDA films from the new season of our PBS series OUR TIME, meet the Gen Z filmmakers and engage in professionally moderated Q&As, and then engage major stakeholders in our community. A panel of local journalists, academic leaders and community organizers will conclude the GEN-Z MEDIA LAB and reflect back what they are hearing youth in our community say about teen mental health, race, gender, disability, and much more.