Centre[3]’s goal is to work with youth who face multiple barriers and challenges that are interested in media arts to organize scheduledMedia Arts [4] YouthOpen Studio sessions in the evenings and on weekends in our Media Arts Centre. The Open Studio provided the youth with access to specialized equipment that they do not have as well as technical and mentor support with an established media artist. Youth also had access to computers, editing software, production equipment (cameras, lights and green screen).

Youth Arts Film Festival was the culminating event from the Media Arts [4] Youth community arts project funded by the Edith H. Turner Fund and the Hamilton Community Foundation. The Youth Arts Film Festival promotes three of the Edith H. Turner Foundation’s priorities: youth enrichment, education, and job opportunities. The festival promoted social development for participants, engaging and connecting youth and their families across Hamilton. The festival was youth-directed and led.

We gratefully acknowledge the generous contributions of Edith H Turner Fund, Hamilton Community Foundation, and the prize donations for winners of the fesitval from Staples Inc. Thank you to all the youth participants who submitted their short films, without the youth filmmakers of Hamilton this festival wouldn’t have been possible.