Imagine Englewood If

This afternoon CISCFF met with "Imagine Englewood If" and three other community organizations in Englewood.  We discussed how the CISCFF High School Programs could be an empowering experience for youth and show the positive work that also happens in Englewood. Our conversation went very well and we see an excellent partnership in the future!

A Reflection on CISCFF

Hello,

Today’s blog post is going to be a little different than past posts.  My name is Margot Young and I am the High School intern for CISCFF and have been helping kick-start the CISCFF High School Program. This is my last week with CISCFF and I would like to reflect on my experiences with all of you who have been watching the progress of the CISCFF High School Program closely.

When I found CISCFF months ago, I was awed by the concept of integrating both film and social change to try to raise public consciousness. I have a passion for both film and social change and I was inspired to see Emile Cambry and Todd Belcore, co-founders and directors, having a vision and making it a reality.

Over the past few weeks, as I have visited various high schools and community organizations in the Chicagoland area, I have talked with many students around my age about the power of film to share a story. The various people I met throughout this experience have left an imprint on me and emphasized the creativity and thought that youth have, but often hold back.  That’s why I feel the youth programs presented by CISCFF are so important because it stresses how we are never too young to voice our opinions and stand-up for an important cause.  Everyone has the ability to make a difference—we just need to have the confidence to do so.

So that’s why I highly encourage my fellow youth to participate in either the CISCFF Student Advisory Board or High School Program Event because it allows a safe place to focus on meaningful issues in the world and then to act on it.  The CISCFF High School Program is unique in the sense that it is created by youth and later executed by youth as well.  We, as the young generation, have the power to start driving change, and the CISCFF High School Program is the perfect place to start now.

I have loved my time volunteering with CISCFF and the multiple individuals I have worked with throughout the process. I have a feeling that the Chicago International Social Change Film Festival is going to be something you can’t pass up!

~Margot

Meeting with ETHS Interfaith Club

 Evanston High School

Bright and early this morning, CISCFF High School intern, Margot, met with Evanston High School's Interfaith Club to discuss the work the CISCFF High School Program has been doing over the past few weeks.  She presented the High School Program opportunities to the students who are a part of the Interfaith Club and asked them to spread the word throughout ETHS. The students and Margot discussed the progress of the Chicago International Social Change Film Festival over this past year and the exciting components to come!  The students were very engaged and enthusiastic about CISCFF and its mission.

Evanston High School's Interfaith Club meeting with CISCFF intern, Margot, this morning.

Upcoming Visits

Intern, Margot, presenting to Mr. Jones' U.S. History Class

Today, we made our last visit at New Trier High School to Mr. Jones' two U.S. History classes.  Tomorrow, we will be visiting the Interfaith Club at Evanston High School and Thursday, we will be presenting with "Imagine Engelwood If" to four community organizations in the Engelwood area.




The deadline to apply for the Student Advisory Board is June 1st.  The deadline for the High School Program Event is August 1st.  To apply, please visit this link: http://chicagosocialchange.org/high-school-program.htm.


Make sure to spread the word to friends and family to apply! Students entering and graduating high school are welcome.  


Be part of this program created and executed by youth for youth! Everyone has the capability to contribute something meaningful to the CISCFF High School Program opportunities. If you're a filmmaker, artist, social change agent, or just want to explore the film, technology, and social action world, please apply for the Student Advisory Board or High School Program Event.  We're looking for passion and individuals who want to take the most out of the day possible!

University of Chicago Lab School

University of Chicago Lab School

Our visit today was a little different than our past presentations.  Instead of meeting with the students, we met with the Dean of Students at University of Chicago Lab School, Mr. McFarlane, to discuss the High School Program.  Mr. McFarlane was very supportive of our program and likes the idea of catering social action opportunities to students.  He promised to pass the information on to the advisors that will talk to their students.  In a way, today we reached more than just one person because soon the whole school will have an opportunity to learn more about the CISCFF youth programs.

Zoe BAKORU-BAKOKO

Please take a look at this video from the Oprah Winfrey Show of Zoe Bakoru-Bakoko.  Zoe Bakoru-Bakoko, former Cabinet Minister and member of Parliament of Uganda, spoke at our Read/Write Event last Saturday.  The work she has done in Uganda is truly inspiring. It is change agents like Zoe that have an impact around the globe.  Anyone has the potential to be a similar change agent--no matter what age.  She will also speak at the official Chicago International Social Change Film Festival in October. 

Stay tuned.

Jones College Prep Visit!

We met a wonderful group of students today who are on Student Government at Jones College Prep.  We feel so fortunate to have talked to such excellent groups of youth these past couple of days.  About twenty student leaders make up the Student Government at Jones. This is just one more among the many terrific visits we've had this week.

The CISCFF Student Advisory Board and CISCFF High School Program event have really taken shape over these past few weeks.  For more information on the CISCFF High School Program, please visit this link: http://chicagosocialchange.org/high-school-program.htm.

High school intern, Margot Young, presenting to Student Government at Jones College Prep

CISCFF Makes a Visit to 8th Grade Students

8th Grade Students at Brown Elementary

Today, CISCFF visited an 8th grade class at the Chicago Public School, Brown Elementary.  8th grade graduates through high school graduates are elegible to participate in the High School Program event or Student Advisory Board.  By the end of our presentation, the students and teacher in this class were very excited by the opportunity of being part of our youth opportunities. More than 20 students asked to join our email list today!

                                                                                           

CISCFF Hard at Work!

                                        Zoe Bakoru-Bakoko


We at CISCFF have had a lot going on this past week!  On Saturday, we had out Read/Write event and Zoe Bakoru-Bakoko, Former Cabinet Minister and member of Parliament of Uganda, spoke about her experiences living in Uganda.  Her words were truly powerful and inspiring for what he aspire this Festival to be!

                                               

                                                                              

This Sunday, we visited the Chicago Sinai Congregation and spoke to the 8th graders and high school students.  Some of the students were very excited by the opportunity!

Chicago Sinai Congregation

Today, we went to another New Trier Video Art class and visited the New Trier Integrated Global Studies School (IGSS), who I blogged about a few weeks ago.  IGSS had many students who were enthusiastic and excited about partaking in something that drives social change.  Over this past year, each IGSS student has pursued an action plan, so they have a strong sense of social understanding.


We also went to present to high school students who are a part of Voice of the City (http://www.voiceofthecity.org/).  The students use the arts to tell a story and that's why we felt the opportunities for youth in the CISCFF High School Program could be of great interest to them. Many of the students were very enthused.  It's really encouraging to us at CISCFF to find students so interested in the kind of work we're doing, and dedicated to doing something meaningful.

Voice of the City

World Give Day

Today is World Give Day!  Make sure to support the causes you care about and to give in any possible way.  Actions big or small have the power to make a difference.  So, take the initiative to give in some way--not just today, every day.

http://bit.ly/IBOhjJ

***Check out this website:
http://www.worldgiveday.com/

CISCFF Visits New Trier's Video Art Class

This morning we had our first High School Program presentation at New Trier High School! 

We will continue our visits at New Trier on Monday and are hoping to draw a variety of students to the High School Program.  During the presentations, we try to emphasize how we would like youth to have a strong voice in the framework of developing this program.  We also believe that film is a powerful medium to drive social change and they can be part of something new and empowering.  It is never too early to start expressing your passions and to try to make a difference!  No prior experience is necessary to participate in the Student Advisory Board and High School Program event.  We just want engaged and passionate individuals!

This week at CISCFF, we have really made progress in developing an outreach to high schools and high school affiliated programs across the Chicago-land area.  As mentioned in a previous post, we will be visiting New Trier High School starting this Friday and continuing on Monday, May 7th and Thursday, May 10th.

Also on Monday 7th, we'll be presenting to high school students at Voice of the City (http://www.voiceofthecity.org/) about the High School Program.  On Tuesday, we'll be making another presentation to 8th grade students who are a part of the L.I.F.E. program.

We are also proud to announce that on May 17th we'll be partnering with "Imagine Engelwood If" to present to a selection of community organizations in Engelwood that focus on youth empowerment.  We have a lot ahead of us and will keep everyone updated!  Check back on Friday to hear an update on our first CISCFF High School Program presentation!

"I am Congo"

"I am Congo"

      raisehopeforcongo.org

Watch this new film series, "I am Congo," sponsored by the Enough Project's Raise Hope for the Congo Campaign. It embodies CISCFF's mission to use film and art as a means to drive social change.  We're going to track the progress of this film series, and are happy to see individuals using film as a powerful change agent.