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Think of it as PeaceCorps for filmmakers. We send filmmakers and media educators overseas to teach filmmaking and media literacy to underserved students for 1 full year. Our mission is to provide opportunities for cultural exchange and to empower students to tell their own stories. Check out our VIDEOS!
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OUR STORY // After years of teaching media to students across the US, our team decided it was time to help filmmakers and art educators share their skills with overseas communities. First we founded a nonprofit organization. Then, we assembled a team of educators, artists, and international development specialists to help send volunteer filmmakers abroad for 1 full year.
OUR TEAM // Our collective work experience includes the Tribeca Film Institute, the United Nations, Educational Video Center, Frank Sinatra School of the Arts, Charlotte Street Films, Results 4 Development (R4D) Institute, and the NYC Department of Education.
US-BASED COLLABORATORS // New York Public Library, The Young Women's Leadership Network, Global Potential, Global Kids, Gallup McKinley School District (American Indian Reservation)
OVERSEAS PARTNERS ORGANIZATIONS // The Bhutan Foundation, Children For Change Cambodia (CCC), Volunteer Initiative Nepal, The FutureSense Foundation, The Mayatan Foundation, The Early Learning Center Thimphu, Asian University for Women, Volunteer Morocco, Ibn Zohr University
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OVERSEAS SCHOOLS // Nepal Rastriya Higher Secondary School, Nepal Rastriya Higher Secondary School/College, Shwet Ganesh Community School, Engilang'et Nursery and Primary School, Naurei Primary School, Olbak Primary School (Massai Village), Ban Pangew Government Primary School, Ban Papong Government Primary School, Wat Nong Bua: Buddhist Monastery School, Pa Pae Hilltribe Village Community School, Agadir Secondary School, Palampur Secondary School
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We send filmmakers to teach students in underserved communities across
Bangladesh,
Bhutan,
Cambodia,
Honduras,
India, Navajo Indian Reservation (US),
Morocco,
Nepal,
Peru,
Tanzania, and
Thailand.
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HOW WE DO IT // We partner directly with schools and community organizations in developing countries. FWB educators work directly with youth in overseas classrooms 6 hours/day, 4 days/week for 1 year. We provide participants with curriculum, cameras, and equipment and we cover the cost of flights, housing, food, and insurance.
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Our curriculum uses all aspects of the filmmaking process as a means for promoting cross cultural exchange, creative empowerment, and digital storytelling. All projects are student-centered and aligned with
Common Core,
ISTE, and
NYC Moving Image Blueprint curriculum standards.
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Students learn the following skills:
- Storytelling Techniques
- Creative Writing
- Photography & Storyboarding
- Film Production (Shooting/Framing)
- Audio & Sound Design
- Editing & Post-Production
- Interviewing Techniques
- Leadership/Communication
Examples of student projects include...
- Film Scripts
- Short Documentary Films
- Short Narrative Films
- Experimental Films
- Photography Projects
- Audio Projects
- Multimedia Projects
- Student Film Festival & Community Screenings
At the end of each year-long overseas program, students organize a large-scale community screening/film festival of their own short films. Local friends, family, and neighbors all have an opportunity to see FWB students' hard work and to engage with students' ideas. Additionally, FWB organizes a film festival back in NYC to showcase student work to an international audience.
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Our team works directly with overseas partner communities to ensure the promotion of culturally specific and sustainable educational practices. Additionally, our Director of Cultural Sustainability works closely with students' families, neighbors, and local community leaders to infuse local knowledge into all FWB curriculum and identifies opportunities for community empowerment.
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Using Skype, Google Docs, and other digital tools, our team connects
NYC students with youth in
overseas communities. Students work together to make short film projects and learn about each others' culture. Check out
this collaboration produced by students in the Bronx & Nairobi.
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FWB works with partner organizations across 11 different countries and fully-funds filmmakers to travel, live, and teach overseas for 1 year. Your donation will help cover the cost of roundtrip international flights, housing and food (12 months), local transportation, evacuation insurance, cameras, laptops, and additional equipment.
FWB is 100% donor supported.
From seeing their ideas up on the big screen to learning from passionate and engaging educators (who traveled half way around the world just for them), your contribution will make a meaningful impact in the lives of underserved students. Thank you so much for helping us to empower the next generation of digital storytellers!
- The FWB Team
(Alissa, Beth, Corey, Dena, Emilia, Kevin, Pedro, Philip, & Vivianne)
Board of Directors: LeMarie Loreano, Caits Meissner, Eileen Newman, Gideon Rafel-Frankel, Juan Rubio, Monique Scott, Flonia Telegrafi
