Voices: The YMCA Newcomer Youth Film Project is an innovative video program that provides knowledge and training in the art of video production for newcomer youth to share stories of immigration and settlement in Canada on film. Offered in collaboration with Charles Street Video, participants work with high quality production gear and learn how to produce their own short videos through guidance provided by a lead instructor. Throughout the program, students receive mentorship on specialized filmmaking topics by visiting artists from Toronto's film industry.

Through a series of workshops youth learn how to:

• Develop an idea into a story
• Write a script
• Use a video camera
• Shoot their own video
• Set up lighting
• Edit video using Final Cut Pro

Instruction will also include exposure to video art, animation, documentary and other video-making practices with an introduction to new media technology. Upon completion of the program, film compilations are distributed to schools, settlement agencies, language classes, libraries and more.  Youth may use their films to apply for post-secondary media arts programs and for submissions into other film festivals. Best of all, the program is absolutely free to its participants.

Settlement
Participants receive on-going support from YMCA Newcomer Youth Specialists who are present to assist students with the curriculum as well as with their language, settlement and youth-oriented needs. Newcomer Youth Specialists lead activities that provide opportunities for growth and connection, by encouraging participants to communicate and engage with each other.

Premiere
Films are screened in the spring time before an enthusiastic audience of hundreds at the YMCA Voices Film Festival.

Time commitment
The details for the Voices 2010 summer session are as follows:

• July and August
• Workshops: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
• Time: 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Filming: 2 weeks in late July*
• Editing: 2 weeks in mid-August*

(*Offered on different schedules that youth sign up for.)

Location
Workshops: YMCA of Greater Toronto, 42 Charles Street East, (Yonge & Bloor) in downtown Toronto.

Post-production: Charles Street Video at 65 Bellwoods Avenue, (Bathurst & Queen) close to Trinity-Bellwoods Park.

Application
Applications for summer 2010 will be accepted beginning in April. Check back in April for the on-line registration forms.

Eligibility
To be eligible for the program, participants must be:

• Newcomer youth ages 13 – 24
• Permanent residents (landed immigrants or convention refugees) who are not Canadian citizens
• Committed to the schedule of the program
• Able to demonstrate clear artistic vision

Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. Those chosen for an interview will meet with program staff that will select a final group of 12 – 15 youth. No more than 10 projects will be created over the course of the program.

For more information, contact:
Carlos Hernandez
Voices Project Manager
carlos.hernandez@ymcagta.org
Office: (416) 928-3362 x 4122
Fax: (416) 928-3561

Supported by: