About this Event
Program Overview
For 13 years, Reel Stories has worked to close the gender gap in the film industry. At Reel Stories, young women and gender-expansive youth learn the craft of filmmaking, sharpen their media literacy, make industry connections, and create films that represent themselves and inspire others. Join us this summer to share your stories, your audience is waiting!
Reel Stories is a creative space where students can show up fully as themselves, and where queer and trans youth are welcomed, supported, and celebrated.
Camp Reel Stories is for girls and gender expansive youth ages 13-17, who are new to filmmaking - no experience required!
Campers work together in teams to write, film, and edit their own documentary or narrative films over the course of two weeks with the support of Reel Stories Staff and mentors. In addition to our staff-lead workshops, we invite experienced guest speakers from all aspects of the film industry to lead workshops and have exclusive Q&As with our campers. Past guest speakers have included Oscar winners Brenda Chapman and Lora Hirschberg, award winning directors Cathy Yan, Nijla Mumin, Screenwriter Kristy Lowrey and many others!
Camp concludes with a film festival at a local Bay Area theater where students screen their films for friends and family. After camp ends, Reel Stories staff submit camp films to festivals throughout the year. Reel Stories films have shown at film festivals such as: The Mill Valley Film Festival, POWfest, All-American High School Film Festival, Bay Area International Children’s Festival, Coven Film Festival, and many, many others.
Program Details
WHEN: June 15th - June 26th, 2026, 9:30am-3:00pm
WHERE: Oakstop, 1721 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
WHO: Young women and gender expansive youth ages 13-17
FILM FESTIVAL DATE: June 27th, 11:30-1pm, location TBD
Reel Stories is designed as an affirming space for girls and gender-expansive youth, including queer and trans students. We respect chosen names/pronouns and storytelling that reflects the fullness of our students identities.
Financial Aid and Scholarships:
No filmmaker is turned away due to lack of funds.
We offer sliding scale tuition, pay-what-you-can options, and scholarships. Proof of income is not required, and applying for financial aid does not impact acceptance.
To discuss financial aid options, please contact: [email protected]
FAQ:
What is your refund policy?
You can also cancel your enrollment up to two weeks before the camp session you signed up for starts for a full refund, minus a $50 registration fee. If you need to cancel less than two weeks before your session of camp starts, and do not choose to swap to another session, we will not be able to issue you a refund.
What are the learning outcomes and skills gained from attending Camp Reel Stories?
Campers will learn media literacy tools to aid them in viewing the media they see every day with a critical eye.
Campers will create their own industry standard scripts (AV scripts or screenplays depending on their projects), storyboards, and shot lists. During production campers will have workshops on and film using Canon DSLR cameras, and use professional audio equipment such as; Zoom audio recorders, shotgun mics, boom poles, and lav mics. Campers will be mentored in creating either a narrative or documentary short film.
Campers will finish their films by editing in Adobe Premiere Pro and have the opportunity to learn the basics of animation in Adobe After Effects or Adobe Animator or use mobile Stop-Motion apps. Including our technical training, campers gain experience with public speaking, pitching, and giving constructive criticism throughout the filmmaking process and at our final film festival.
Who is Reel Stories?
Reel Stories is an Oakland-based program that seeks to close the gender gap in media by training, mentoring, and supporting the next generation of empowered filmmakers. Reel Stories is part of BAVC Media, a community hub and resource for media makers in the Bay Area and across the country, serving over 7,500 freelancers, filmmakers, job-seekers, activists, and artists every year.
For general questions, please email the team at [email protected]
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Oakstop on Broadway, 1721 Broadway #201, Oakland, United States
USD 1100.00 to USD 1200.00
