TEEN UPAF

Quaranteens

2020, 26min, USA, documentary, color, in English with Japanese open semi-caption subtitles. Produced by: Educational Video Center’s Youth Documentary Workshop (YDW) program. Japan Premiere.

Produced during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic in NYC, “Quaranteens” follows the experiences of a group of highschoolers as they navigate familial relationships, frontline work, racism, healthcare and economic injustice.

Production Team:
The film is produced through the Educational Video Center’s Youth Documentary Workshop (YDW) program. YDW is a rigorous afterschool program where a cohort of New York City High School Students devote 3 hours a day, 4 afternoons per week for 15 weeks during the semester, or 6 weeks during the summer, to the research, planning, shooting and editing of a documentary of personal interest and community relevance. The 11 students who produced Quaranteens were facilitated by YDW Co-Director, Kate Levy.

Director – Ashlee Reyes, Mia Micic, Ethan Rufli, Khalil Baxter, Mateo Alejandro Morales Jacome, Derick David Morales, Olesya Shanabrook, Artur Zhigalev, Muhammad Fisiru, Laye Diakite, Starasia Nelson.

Transicion De Corona: Transition of the Crown

2020, USA, 4min, documentary, color, in English and Spanish with Japanese open semi-caption subtitles. Produced by: Esai Velasquez. Japan Premiere.

This documentary focuses on how my family is dealing with COVID-19. My grandfather will speak to his “nurturing” side explaining why he cooks and why he cleans. My grandmother will speak to her “provider” side. She will speak to why she still works despite her age, and why she continues to work even during quarantine. My mother will speak to her “protecting” side and why she continues to push herself to ensure everyone in this family is okay. Quarantine really forced my family to take full charge of their role and this film will speak to how each and everyone one of them is coming to terms with it.

Producer Esai Velasquez
I am an Afro Latino high school student traveling about in New York City whose earliest challenge was to overcome my awkward shyness. From the first photography class I participated in during my sophomore year of high school, I knew I had found my voice. Film and photography have given me the ability to express myself without worry of finding proper verbiage. I’m a photographer, a cinematographer…still learning, still exploring, still growing one frame at a time.

Implosion

2020, USA, 4min, live action animation, color, with English subtitles and Japanese open semi-caption subtitles. Produced by: Liam Schoenholt. Japan Premiere.

A miniature man in an ordinary home finds images of the outside world. The search for more information about the outside world becomes an addiction to him.

Produced by Liam Schoenholt
My name is Liam Schoenholt, and I am a 17-year-old high school student at Brooklyn Prospect High School in NY. Implosion is my first film and with the virus keeping people inside their homes most of the time I wanted to create a world and feelings in my film that was recognizable to people especially during these times. I hope you enjoy my film.