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