Filmmaking summer camp in Houston, Texas for kids and teens. Narrative and Documnetary Filmmaking. Filmmaking Summer Camps June / July 2025 1) Historical Filmmaking Camp (Ages 9-12) June 9-13, 2025, 9am-3pm Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park 1100 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002 $490/per camper for 1-week Historical Filmmaking 2) Narrative Fiction Filmmaking Camp (Ages 9-12) July 7-11, 2025, 9am-3pm St. Stephen's Montessori 1800 Sul Ross St, Houston, TX 77098 $490/per camper for 1-week Narrative Fiction Filmmaking 3) Documentary Filmmaking Camp (Ages 12-14) July 14-25, 2025, 9am-3pm St. Stephen's Montessori 1800 Sul Ross St, Houston, TX 77098 $980/per camper for 2-week Documentary Filmmaking Camp Instructors: Bri Guerrero Dan Gordon Summer Camp Partners Scholarships available for all camps. Email: camp@gordoneducation.org Register Register Register Counselor: Dan Counselor: Dan Counselor: Bri Whether scripted or real, the films made at camp allow young creators to express themselves and tell stories that matter. Historical Films take us back to the past and allows us to recreate stories based on real-events and people that once lived. History becomes alive in historical films. Narrative Fiction Films are scripted stories brought to life through characters, dialogue, and visual storytelling—just like movies you see in theaters. They can be funny, adventurous, or dramatic, allowing filmmakers to create entire worlds from their imagination. Documentary films , on the other hand, capture real-life events, people, and stories. They help us explore different perspectives, uncover truths, and share powerful messages with the world. What are Historical, Narrative and Documentary Films? What We Offer. At our Summer Film Camp, kids ages 9-14 will dive into the exciting world of filmmaking! Through hands-on workshops, they'll learn how to write scripts, direct scenes, and shoot their own short films. Whether they want to create an imaginative story or document real-life-moments, our camp provides the tools and guidance to bring their ideas to life. With industry-grade equipment and expert mentors, campers will gain confidence, teamwork skills, and a deeper appreciation for storytelling - all while having a blast! Photo credits: Chris Dunn / Asia Society Texas When Can I Get Started? Young storytellers will have 3 amazing opportunities to explore the world of filmmaking! 1. June 9-13 - Historical Camp (Ages 9-12) A one-week camp at the Heritage Society, where students delve into Houston's vibrant history, uncovering stories and bringing the past to life through film. Campers write, design and act in an original camper-written film based on true events and people. Guests visitors from Indigenous tribes and famed storytellers. 2. July 7-11 - Narrative Fiction Camp (Ages 9-12) A one-week camp at St. Stephen's Montessori, where students write, direct, act, and film their very own movie. The young filmmakers have full creative freedom to create an original storyline and characters for their fiction film. 3. July 14-25 - Documentary Camp (Ages 12-14) A two-week camp at St. Stephen's Montessori where students will use the power of film to make a meaningful influence in the world. This camp will take students on exciting field trips into communities within Houston where they will visit cultural landmarks, art museums, and meet inspiring people from all walks of life. The topics of the film will be based on social, environmental, and community-based topics that the campers care most about. Campers will complete each camp with a film screening showcasing their final work, open to family and friends. St. Stephen's Montessori Narrative Fiction Filmmaking 1 Week Camp (Ages 9-12) July 7-11 Heritage Society Historical Filmmaking 1 Week Camp (Ages 9-12) June 9-13 St. Stephen's Montessori Documentary Filmmaking 2 Week Camp (Ages 12-14) July 14-25 Register Today! Questions about camp? camp@gordoneducation.org (713) 906-3638 Henry Documentary Filmmaking Summer Camp 2024 Gordon Education's Documentary Filmmaking Camp is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for children to develop sociocultural empathy and compassion, and hone cooperative, observational, chronicling, and storytelling skills. My son, Henry, was guided through a journey of introspection of his personal story and values, an examination of his lived quotidian experiences, an evaluation on the current state of his environment, an appreciation of others’ narratives, and finally, an expression of his aspirations and vision for the future. The camp was a convergence of culturally-diverse peers; mentors; community helpers and leaders; speakers and presenters; history, current events, and government lessons; technical instruction; hands-on activities; field trips; and interviews. Our child made many dear friends during the two weeks he attended camp. My family and I highly recommend it. - Michelle Tabile Ordoñez

Learn about the leadership and community partners of Gordon Education Initiatives for the Performing Arts. Quienes somos Dan Gordon - Executive Director From growing up with a traveling anthropologist father and a mother devoted to performing arts and special education, Dan has naturally developed a passion for performing arts education and created Gordon Education Initiatives for the Performing Arts to produce educational media for kids with a focus on varying cultural expressions. As an educator, Dan has taught performing arts and film classes for youth of all ages and demographics since 2002 in Houston, Los Angeles and New York City. He has taught in professional theatres, schools, museums, camps, juvenile probation departments and community centers. As a filmmaker, his documentaries focus on cultural arts communities and bridging divides. Dan is a graduate of Meadows School of the Arts at SMU where he received his BFA in theatre and he continued to complete a film certification program from CUNY's College of Technology and Brooklyn College. www.danjgordon.com Kathy Starr - General Manager Kathy is the General Manager of Gordon Education Initiatives for the Performing Arts and manages day-to-day operations, bookkeeping, strategic planning, and community relationships. As a life-long child advocate, Kathy studied early childhood education at the University of Houston and served multi-year terms as the chairperson on boards throughout Houston that championed arts education and kids with disabilities. Some of her favorite positions include 7 years as Cultural Arts Chair at Haude Elementary in Klein ISD, 4 years on the board of Class Act Productions and 4 years on the Klein Oak High School Theatre Booster Club. She managed accounts in publicity, events, bookkeeping and development. She is a long-time volunteer for The River Performing and Visual Arts in partnership with Theatre Under the Stars where she facilitates weekly art projects for kids with special needs. Previously, Kathy owned and operated a business to assign care providers for the elderly, ensuring a safe environment and allowing them to stay in their own homes. Texas born and bred, Kathy is married and the mother of two daughters, Morgan and Maitland. Executive Board Members Krista Calaway Former Exec. Director of HISD Foundation Dan J. Gordon Exec. Director of Gordon Education Matt Heath Community Ventures C indy Leong-Wu Biomedical Consulting J ulie t McBri de Partn er in King & Spalding’s Governmen t & Regulator y (He alt hcare) Practice Group Former Board Members: Jason Bernal, Kristen Golden, Victor Kendall Meet Our Teachers Ashley Jones Art Director Dan Gordon Executive Director and Teaching Artist About Me Don Francis Tech Lead Gladys Ortiz Education Manager and Teaching Artist About Me Alexa Young Product Manager Bri Guerrero Teaching Artist About Me Robert Rose Product Designer Johnny Maloney Teaching Artist About Me Ashley Jones Art Director Deante' Gray Teaching Artist About Me Nuestro equipo Executive Producer of Take The Stage Carol-Lynn Parente As an accomplished producer, winning 15 Emmy awards for her work as Executive Producer of Sesame Street and Hero Elementary, Carol-Lynn edits every Take the Stage educational script, advises on curriculum content, and helps strategically plan for the future. Partner Houston Public Media Houston's home for educational TV (PBS) and radio content (NPR) partners with Gordon Education to produce Take the Stage content. Houston Public Media has provided a TV studio to film, a production crew, and post-production services so Take the Stage maintains its quality standards and community reach. Partner Kids Advisory Board This board decides which content passes the kid-test before it is filmed and used by thousands of classrooms. They answer the questions: "Is it cool enough?" and "Will other kids like it?" . They makes important decisions, read every Take the Stage script, provide edits and feedback regarding content, humor and music in each episode. Partner HoustonISD The Houston Independent School District selects the curriculum where students need the most supplemental support. Take the Stage content is then selected based on these academic recommendations and reviewed by HISD Curriculum Managers so they can modify the lessons to meet the district's standards. Partner Children's Museum The Children's Museum is the perfect venue for all Take the Stage events, meetings, and premieres. Situated in the museum district of Houston, this interactive museum provides a safe, fun, and educational environment for families to experience Take the Stage programs. Partner Houston Ballet The Houston ballet partnered with Gordon Education to produce a "how-to" ballet series featuring the Take the Stage Kids with the mission to promote ballet to boys and girls alike. This series featured all-star athletes in basketball and football dancing with professional dancer, Andrew Murphy. Partner Public Relations Internships for University Students Students from the the Valenti School of Communications at the University of Houston and the department at Texas Southern University spend a semester working on various media projects for the nonprofit to achieve higher visibility and greater impact in the community Partner Spanish Curriculum Specialists Gladys Gutierrez-Barba is the Spanish language specialist at HISD that translates all of the Take the Stage media and lesson plans into Spanish before ithey are filmed. Creating bilingual media helps provide equity in the schools where many students are needing materials in Spanish.

Summer Camp registration now open for June and July 2025 Register Here Summer Documentary filmmaking Program at Asia Society Texas. Photo Credit: Chris Dunn Welcome to Gordon Education Young voices. Making waves. One frame at a time. Filmmaking Workshops K-12 Schools, Museums, and Summer Camps Students learn skills of filmmaking which includes brainstorming initial concepts, outlining, screenwriting, storyboarding, camera operation, lighting, editing, and post-production. Students are active participants in every aspect of the creation process including being actors in the films they create. Our filmmaking residencies provide opportunities for personal growth through collaboration and skill development from the teaching artists. Find out more . With media accessible at every student's fingertips in this tech-driven age, our filmmaking residencies and camps provide a fun, thoughtful, and practical approach for children who desire to create their own media and produce their own films. Juvenile Probation Centers We use filmmaking as an intervention strategy for teenagers who spend a few weeks to years in the juvenile justice system. Launched in 2022, we operate this program in Houston, TX and Brooklyn, NY and have witnessed transformational growth in the youth. Producing an original film provides a creative outlet for incarcerated teens to express themselves and the the confidence hat they are capable of taking a positive path forward in their lives. Find out more. Appearing: Listen Read Social Impact TV/Film Projects Film Projects that Inspire Change Every film/tv/music video project we undertake has a social mission with a focus on youth whether it is to democratize arts education, to promote libraries, to educate about cultural art forms or to bridge divides amongst communities locked in conflict. Want to collaborate ? Reach out info@gordoneducation.org Kaavya A Texas girl's journey in Indian Classical Dance Peace Builders Palestinian and Israeli teenagers connect My Friend the Library A Music Video for Libraries Take the Stage Bilingual K-5 Series on PBS LearningMedia

Gordon Education produces documentaries featuring youth exploring their own cultural identity while bridging global divides. Films include Kaavya, about a 10-year-old girl preparing for her arangetram in Texas and The Peacebuilders about bringing together Palestinian and Israeli teens to chart a peaceful future. A 10-year-old-girl and a tale two-thousand years in the making Local Airtimes Watch the trailer Read the article Kaavya Kaavya is a 10-year-old girl from Texas who loves Harry Potter, puzzles, musical theatre, GIlmore Girls, and robotics. She also is about to embark on the most important moment of her life up until now: her arangetram. (Translation: ascending the stage). This 2-hour solo dance debut showcases a mastery in Bharatanatyam, the oldest form of Indian classical dance which originated over 2,000 years ago. The pressures for any young person who prepares for this performance are extraordinary, but Kaavya's situation is unique. She not only is one of the youngest students to have an arangetram, but she is trained by her very own mother, a professional dancer and respected guru with a formidable reputation of her own to uphold. Each gesture in Bharatanatyam holds a distinct meaning that when woven together, tell ancient stories from Hindu mythology. Kaavya continues the tradition of telling these stories through choreography that has been passed down to her over many generations. And, in spite of a global pandemic disrupting her performance, emotional breakdowns in rehearsal, and dealing with the disappointment of not having her grandparents visit for her big day, Kaavya impressively adapts to the new circumstances and carries on to claim a dance form that has survived millennia. Behind the Scenes Premiere at the Asia Society Texas Center https://www.pbs.org/show/kaavya/ Asia Society Texas Center with Michael Buening On PBS Kaavya is now streaming on PBS Passport and is airing on select PBS stations around the country. To find out more, click here: https://www.pbs.org/show/kaavya

A music video written and performed by Texas kids who love the library. Join our campaign and send us your own video about what the library means to you. Kids promoting libraries through art. Make art. Join the movement. www.myfriendthelibrary.com

Founded in 2014 in Houston, TX The mission of Gordon Education is to make performing arts education free, fun and accessible for all kids. And, to use the power of the arts to: ● Improve the learning impact of educational curriculum ● Promote diversity and understanding ● Cultivate creative expression Mission and History When arts are missing in school, Gordon Education fills the gap. Mission: Empowering young voices through the art of filmmaking. Executive Director, Dan Gordon, knew first-hand that youth are more engaged when they learn through the arts, s o he launched Gordon Education in 2014 so every student could have the opportunity for arts education no matter income status or geographic location. Kathy Starr, with a professional background in education and heart towards the towards the arts, enthusiastically came on board as a full-time General Manager. Together, they run the daily operations of the nonprofit. With the same educational goals, Houston Public Media and the Houston Independent School District teamed up with Gordon Education to produce Take the Stage. All three entities work together to make Take the Stage a nationally recognized series trusted by parents and adored by kids. The premiere of the pilot episode was hosted by Lauren Anderson, the first African-American ballet dancer to become a principal dancer of a major dance company alongside Chester Pitts, media personality and celebrity football player from the Houston Texans. Take the Stage Premiere in 2015 at the Children's museum. Take the Stage Early Beginnings Watch the pilot episode here Ballet and Ballers The Houston Ballet teamed up with Gordon Education in 2015-2016 to produce a series of how-to ballet videos featuring Chester Pitts (NFL) and Patrick Beverley (NBA). This arts and sports collaboration was produced to make ballet accessible and fun for all kids, especially boys who have less exposure to ballet. Every Take the Stage video is infused with young talent from the local community. Here, the choir students from Parker Elementary added their singing to a Take the Stage video that teaches about prepositions. Community Talent Friends from Sesame Street Carol-Lynn Parente, the former Executive Producer of Sesame Street, traveled to Houston to help produce Take the Stage episodes in 2017. With her nearly 30 years of experience at Sesame Street and with support from Houston Public Media, she helped write and direct 12 educational videos which launched on PBS LearningMedia in 2019. Carol-Lynn provides directorial guidance, script edits, production support, and generously shares her wisdom and joy of educational media with everyone on the team. Carol-Lynn once again teamed up with Take the Stage to produce a new season of Take the Stage episodes in 2021-2022. Kids Advisory Board An Advisory Board composed of a diverse group of Houston-area kids and teens meets periodically throughout the year and frequently during the script-writing process to advise and provide edits on Take the Stage educational content. This youth-led board is essential to the development of all Take the Stage media as many of their editorial suggestions are implemented into the videos that are used in thousands of classrooms. Research Study with 400+ Students Allison Caplovitz, Ph.D. (formally of Blues Clues), led an extensive research study in 24 Houston ISD classrooms to test Take the Stage Media with over 400 students in grades K-5 to ensure that Take the Stage media was effective in increasing academic comprehension. (Research study available upon request) Take the Stage Professional Developments for teachers were launched in 2018 in the Houston-area. These accredited PD’s are free to attend and led by HoustonISD teachers who already use Take the Stage in their classrooms. At these sessions, teacher attendees not only receive training on how to integrate Take the Stage media into their lessons, but they also learn techniques on how to implement arts activities into any type of curriculum. At the end of the professional development sessions, the attendees devise an original lesson plan pairing arts activities with their own academic curriculum whether it is language arts, social studies, math, or science. Debut on PBS LearningMedia In 2019, Take the Stage launched on PBS LearningMedia which greatly increased accessibility to schools all across the country. Elementary teachers use Take the Stage on this trusted platform to teach curriculum standards in both English and Spanish In January 2021, Take the Stage launched two videos on Hellosaurus, which is a new educational online platform that increases the level of interactivity with the viewer. In 2021, Take the Stage produced a second season of 12 bilingual educational episodes with the collaboration from Carol-Lynn Parente, Houston Public Media, HoustonISD, educational specialists, Wharton Dual Language Academy, and South Coast Media. This media launched on PBS LearningMedia in 2022. Inspiring Students 2022, marked the year when Gordon Education took their successes from PBS and brought it straight to classrooms across Houston by teaching filmmaking to students in 3rd-12th grade. This immersive class teaches students to create their own media from concept to premiere. Now, Gordon Education has over five teaching artists working in Houston schools. The addition of filmmaking residencies marked the beginning of a new era for the nonprofit as it deepens its community impact. Gordon Education has taught filmmaking at Wharton Dual Language Academy, Meyerland Middle School, Silambam Houston, River Oaks Baptist School, Gateway Academy, Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, and the list continues to grow! Supporting Teachers Gordon Education supports teachers by providing professional development sessions on integrating the arts into all subjects led by veteran elementary teacher and science specialist, Denise Conway. PD Session: "Take the Stage in the Classroom: Using the Arts to Teach the TEKS" ● Philosophy of Take the Stage arts media and results of data study, group demonstrations on how to utilize Take the Stage media and best practices. ● Q & A with elementary teachers who have already used Take the Stage media successfully in their classrooms. ● Group brainstorming session for teachers to pair fine arts curriculum with academic curriculum ● Break-out groups divided by grade level to create an original lesson plan by integrating the fine arts curriculum into specific academic curriculum. Take the Stage won a Platinum Remi award in 2016 from WorldFest Houston for the production of "Take the Stage Kids visit the Houston Ballet". Gordon Education is a Mid-America Arts Alliance, ENGAGE program recipient, 2018-2020 (funded through the Houston Endowment). Mid-America Non-profit Mentor: Brian Crockett

Closer to the Sun Dan talks about juvenile justice residencies. Anchor 1 Back to Juvenile Justice Residencies In Summer 2022, the teenagers at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department conceptualized, wrote, acted and produced an autobiographical film entitled “Closer to the Sun” which was inspired by Tupac Shakur’s “The Rose that Grew from Concrete”. St. Philip Presbyterian Church’s Foundation provided a substantial grant for this filmmaking project along with Texas Commission on the Arts. Pastor John Wurster spoke to the congregation about the impact of this residency. And, Dan Gordon gave a presentation about this filmmaking residency and screened the film at St. Philip Presbyterian Church on October 2nd, 2022. He has returned to St. Philip's to give talks in 2023 and 2024.

If you're an educator, parent, student or just interested in our programs, please feel free to reach out to us. We'd love to hear from you. Contacto Esta es tu sección de Contacto. Dígales a los visitantes del sitio web cómo pueden contactarlo y anímelos a comunicarse con cualquier pregunta o comentario. 500 Terry François Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 info@misitio.com 123-456-7890 Primer nombre Apellido Correo electrónico Mensaje Enviar ¡Gracias por enviar!

Empowering teenagers in the juvenile justice system through the art of filmmaking. Justicia juvenil Filmmaking as an intervention strategy for teens in the juvenile justice system. Filmmaking workshops in: Teens in the juvenile justice system tell their story Filmmaking is a powerful intervention strategy for youth who have had a challenging path because film allows for free expression and skill-building in an otherwise regimented and structured school or correctional facility environment. Free expression through art is vitally important as it allows young people the space to explore their emotions in a supportive environment that encourages creativity. This opportunity allows the teens in the juvenile justice system to see themselves as full of potential instead of full of doubt. And the technical skill-building allows them to explore possible career paths in the future. Inaugural Summer 2022 at Harris County Juvenile Probation Department Over five weeks, the teens at HCJPD made an entire film scored by their original poetry and inspired by Tupac Shakur's writings . The teens told their collective autobiographical story. The premise of their film entitled, "Closer to the Sun”, was about a 13-year-old boy growing up without a father, a mother addicted to drugs, an older brother in jail. And, this main character has to figure out how to be a positive role model to his younger sister even though he never had a positive role model of his own. The film was a meditation on breaking the cycle with ray of hope at the end where the younger sister achieves academic success says: “But at least I know nothing is impossible, you’ll be unstoppable and live on.” Tupac Shakur's poetry was inspiration for the film A few instances of how filmmaking made a difference: ● One young man who realized that he had a natural talent for writing poetry in this class, was so inspired that he wrote three and a half pages of poetry at home and brought it to class the next day. He shared his writing with the teaching artist, full of pride from his accomplishment. ● One young woman who wore a hoodie far over her head and didn’t talk much, became animated and engaged when she had an opportunity to record her voice rapping (her hidden talent) in the class. She even became a lead actress in the film. At the film premiere, she asked if the program would continue in the fall because she wanted to learn more about filmmaking. ● One young man was rigid in class, talking low and not moving much. But, when he wore a theater mask in a class acting exercise, he opened up and was free and open with his movements. Another side of his personality was revealed through theater mask work. This goes to show the power of art and how it can help crack the shell that teens sometimes build around themselves. Student Experiences Long-term Community Impact When one thinks of filmmaking programs like this, it’s important to realize the compounded impact that this program will continue to have in the community. When one teenager is inspired and positively transformed, that teenager has the power to influence everyone around them: friends, family, teachers, new acquaintances. The teenagers consequently make smarter life choices which raises the bar for everyone around them. Click this link to watch a presentation about this residency Watch Ret urning for a 2nd residency, the students wrote a fictional narrative film entitled “Border Life” based on their familial experiences crossing the border from Mexico into the United States. In the film, a young man struggles with the trauma of being separated from his family by immigration officers 15 years prior. Now in his mid-20's and working at a taqueria in Texas, he is offered the opportunity to become a border agent - a high salary plus benefits. Accepting the job, he encounters the man responsible for separating him and his parents, which sets him on a new life path. The film written , acted, and produced by the teens depicts the dire struggles of immigrants that grow up between two cultures. The residual positive impact of this filmmaking program will be felt for years to come. Spring 2023 at Harris County Juvenile Probation Department Looking to the future The juvenile justice program has grown substantially since its launch in 2022 and now operates out of two facilities in the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (Opportunity Center and Youth Village) and Juvenile Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York (Crossroads). In addition, a new filmmaker teaching artist has been brought on to deliver these high impact programs to justice-involved youth. In 2025, we are setting up internships with major TV stations once the justice-involved youth graduate with their GED. Funders St. Philip's Central Mission Endowment Fund Harris County Department of Education Texas Commission on the Arts Cameron Foundation Looking to the future... Primer nombre Apellido Correo electrónico Facility Nivel de grado Duración deseada para la residencia Háganos saber si usted tiene alguna pregunta: ¡Gracias por enviar! Enviar Nuestro Historia

Take the Stage is a series of interactive videos that teach elementary curriculum through the arts. Available for for free on PBS LearningMedia, Take the Stage is available in English and Spanish, and closed captioned for the hearing-impaired. Take the Stage Free educational media for K-5 classrooms. Watch on PBS LearningMedia Learn about Take the Stage A series of interactive videos that teach academics through the arts for grades K-5. Available on PBS LearningMedia. Take the Stage Interactive Videos In English En Español Click an image to watch a Take the Stage video. Haz clic en una imagen para ver un vídeo de Take the Stage. Take the Stage in Elementary Classrooms Take the Stage is on PBS LearningMedia, an online destination that offers content designed to enhance classroom instruction globally. Aligned to state and national standards, this platform is compatible with the tools teachers use most such as Google Classroom. Addressing the need for quality educational media that's actually free-to-use. Research shows elementary school students have a higher rate of retention when they learn academic curriculum through the arts whether it is through music, dance, theatre, creative writing, or visual art. However, many schools around the country are not equipped with the resources to integrate the arts into the curriculum or have adequate funding to bring in outside teaching artists. Take the Stage meets this need by providing 100% free arts-integration resources to elementary classrooms. There is no catch. All materials are funded by foundations and individuals who believe in democratizing education. Formative research studies document how the Take the Stage media increases comprehension Take the Stage was piloted in five elementary schools and twenty-five classrooms in Houston by Allison Caplovitz, Ph.D. (formally of Blues Clues) with a team of academic researchers from the University of Houston. The study results showed academic improvement in all English and Spanish classrooms for grades K-5. One notable outcome shows elementary students scored 5%-18% higher on a comprehension test when they used a Take the Stage activity in the classroom. Scoring was calculated by both a student pre-test and post-test designed by Dr. Caplovitz. Why use Take the Stage in the classroom? Aligns with the elementary core curriculum. Customizable for the teacher and fun for the students. 100% free-to-use through PBS LearningMedia. Filmed in both English and Spanish to accommodate the substantial Spanish-speaking population in the United States and around the world. For grades K-5 and covers math, science, social studies, and language arts. Incorporates acting, dancing, visual art, singing and creative writing. Features peer-to-peer learning . Comes with supplemental teacher guides and students worksheets.

Peace Builders A Documentary In-Production 2022-2025 Palestinian and Israeli teenagers from the Middle East forge relationships in the midst of the most devastating violence the region has experienced since 1948. Support our Film Project Introducing the Peace Builders In 2022/2023, they shared their visions for the future. The Teenagers These individuals were selected by their openness to find solutions and willingness to appear on camera. We hope we can learn from their stories. In 2024, captured the realities of life in Palestine/Israel and their efforts to chart a path forward amidst the war. Nama (left) and Shahd (right) Thekra "Since I was a kid [my mom] holds my hand, sits me down, and tells me 'You are strong. You have your own opinion, don't let anybody step on that." Following the Journey The documentary project spans the course of 4 years from 2022-2025 , as we witness these teenagers grow up, form bonds with each other, strengthen their resolve for peace, and confront the uncertain realities of their future. "I'm torn between not wanting to leave home, and a home that is toxic and violent." Tidhar "We're gonna miss The States but now is the important part, the part when you move what you learned here to your home. To your community." The documentary follows only the words expressed and actions taken by these teenagers. We understand these personal accounts do not make up the entirety of experiences of those suffering in the region. Our Approach "I feel like I really need to do something about this because I was born to stand for what's right and take action, and I don't want to be a bystander to what's happening." Coming Together We begin the film in Navasota, Texas in 2022 which is where these teenagers first meet as part of an annual peace-building institute. 2023, they return to deepen their commitment for peace . The film continues production in Nov 2024 in Palestine/Israel to have an up-close look of their peace efforts in a post-October 7 reality. Nama Shahd "You grow up feeling that there is this very big battle between one another and there is very distinct stuff that they blame each other for." Elon Jerusalem Peacebuilders Jerusalem Peacebuilders (JPB) is an interfaith, non-profit organization with a mission to create a better future for humanity across religions, cultures, and nationalities. Integral to that mission is the belief that the future of Jerusalem is the future of the world. To that end, JPB promotes transformational, person-to-person encounters among the peoples of Jerusalem, Israel, Palestine, and the United States. This film was not commissioned nor has any financial affiliation with The Jerusalem Peacebuilders institute. The Organization in Focus Learn about JPB Support our Film Help us complete the production of this documentary in 2024-2025. Your contribution supports: • Production Equipment • Production Assistant • Plane flight Palestine/Israel • Lodging in Palestine/Israel • Travel inside Palestine/Israel Your tax-deductible donation helps tell the stories of these young people finding solutions amidst the ongoing conflict. Supporters: Krista Calaway, Matt Heath, Chris King, Lavanya Rajagopalan, Kenneth Richstad, Barbara Richstad