Since the inception of the Dream Project in 2010, the Youth Media Outreach Program has remained a cornerstone of Cinevolution’s mission. In line with our commitment to providing avenues for creative expression and community engagement, this program has empowered youth to collaborate and express themselves through various initiatives. Driven by youth leadership, the program has encompassed a diverse range of activities, from immersive day-long conferences to extensive multi-week workshops.
In 2012, as part of the second Your Kontinent Festival, the inaugural YOU+ME Youth Media Day adopted the format of industry conferences, focusing on the theme of “Social Media & Social Engagement.” By intertwining film screenings, interactive workshops, and engaging discussions, the event fostered meaningful connections between youth and industry professionals.
Building on this success, the 2013 edition of the event, themed “Hustle & Grow,” introduced a fully functional mock movie set, providing participants with hands-on filmmaking experience—an invaluable opportunity to delve into the craft.
In 2015, in collaboration with Vancouver Community College, we hosted a filmmaking camp at VCC’s downtown campus. Under the guidance of Manon Boivin, acclaimed filmmaker Lawrence Le Lam, and coordinator Raychel Reimer, participants immersed themselves in a two-week intensive workshop, resulting in the creation of three compelling documentaries under the theme “Nature x Technology.”
Continuing this trajectory, the 2016 Youth Media Festival, held during Richmond’s World Festival and spearheaded by Youth Media Coordinator Paige Smith, showcased a dynamic array of workshops, including Film Scratch Animation and live VJ sessions. The festival also featured an experimental film competition for youth and an Evolution of Media exhibition, co-curated by Paige and Angelic Proof.
Furthermore, in collaboration with the Richmond Media Lab, we have organized a wide range of digital media workshops throughout the year. Among these, the ‘Build a Website’ workshops have particularly stood out, receiving widespread acclaim and resulting in the creation of 24 original websites. This achievement serves as a testament to both the program’s effectiveness and the remarkable creative talents of its participants.