• Home
  • About
  • Films
  • Theater Direction
  • Docs
  • Corporate
  • Southside FYI Mentorship
  • Awards
  • Press
  • Dropbox
  • Links
  • Contact
MOSSMAN FILMS

SOUTHSIDE FILMMAKING YOUTH INITIATIVE
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

SUMMER MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Picture

Southside FYI Summer Mentorship Program

Picture
National Emmy Awards 2007
Since 2005  the Summer Filmmaking Mentorship program (now Southside Film Youth
 Initiave) has taken CPS students through the script-to-screen process of producing a
 short film that they write, direct and edit themselves.  Originally created through an
 IFP-Chicago partnership, this unique program has been a huge success, garnering
 numerous awards, including national and regional Student Emmys, a cover story in the
 Chicago Tribune, and, most importantly, new skills, confidence, and dreams of the future
 for the participants in the program.   Here are some of the films John has helped
 students from Chicago's south side  create over the years.  Special thanks to Chicago
 Public Schools, True Star Foundation, Midwest Independent Film Fest, MB Bank, ABC Bank, Old Second Bank, Joe Klest, Illinois Film Office, Hyde Park Academy, Canon, Experimental Station and Columbia College.



Covid Collection, 2020

This summer the kids from Roberto Clemente didn't let covid stop them and created dramas, comedies and docs under quarantine, filming terrific individual stories on night time terrors, murderous friends, drumsticks of destiny and documentaries on mental health, autism and graffiti.  Several to be posted soon!
Picture
   In addition, visitors to this year's virtual program included a diverse array of local and nationally know artists               including Anthony Hemmingway, director of films, television and producer of an upcoming documentary on               mental health who talked with the kids and discussed his company's work as a cultural incubator and                           intergenerational connector.  Thank you all who contributed to this summer's success!

Eugenie, 2019

Picture
Jake thinks his dreams are answered when he discovers a genie.  But the genie has a few dreams of his own.

Reflection, 2018

Picture
   After a date goes horribly wrong, a high school girl must decide whether to listen to the most important
​     voice - her own.

Prom Mom, 2017

Picture
Things go hysterically awry when a high school girl defies her prom-obsessed mother and ditches the dance for a party.

​ Winner of the Emerging Talent Award at the 2018 Cineyouth Film Festival.

Trust, 2016

Picture
     A high school girl must decide between the advice of her best friend and the wishes of
     her boyfriend in a film that addresses the culture of sexting and social media.

     "Send me a picture.  It'll stay just  between us.  Promise."

  

Run With It, 2015

Picture
 
     
Dark pasts arise when newly returned soldier Jeremiah and his younger brother stumble
      upon the aftermath of a violent crime. When an old acquaintance shows up at their
      doorstep, suspicions are aroused, testing loyalties and forcing a confrontation that will
      challenge concepts of heroism as three young men struggle to move beyond a culture of
      violence.

​    

  Offsides, 2014

Picture

      A high school football player discovers his team captain is gay and must confront his
      own fears and past in order to move forward.



He Don't Make Junk, 2013   

Picture



After the death of his foster mother,  an outsider at odds with his foster father learns that sometimes family is more than blood and acceptance comes in unexpected ways.


Karma  9 min. 2012

Picture
 When a bullied teen strikes back at the world, he discovers that two wrongs come with a price.  A dark -  and controversial - contemplation on the cost of vengeance from the Hyde Park Academy students.

Makena  12 min. 2011

Picture
 The second film from the students at Hyde Park.  A determined south side girl headed toward  bigger things runs into a roadblock she never thought she'd face.

Cashed Out  8 min. 2010

Picture
The first from Hyde Park Academy.  Money talks, friendship walks.  A 1929 baseball card turns three friends' lives upside down.

Carjacked  12 min.  2009

Picture
A boy, a girl, a crappy car and two nerds on the come-up.

Hush    8 min.  2008

Picture
Four high school students, four secrets.

Wake Me Up Later  2007

Picture
Andy is having a bad day.  

Winner of National Emmy Award.


​https://vimeo.com/6113211_

The Last Stain    2006

Picture
Two friends stuck between doing what's right and living for the moment.   Featuring Tony Award nominee Jon Hill .

Winner of National Emmy Award.

Scream At Me     2005

Picture
Mac tries to stay focused on his education while his two friends urge him to stay loyal to the game.

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
  • Films
  • Theater Direction
  • Docs
  • Corporate
  • Southside FYI Mentorship
  • Awards
  • Press
  • Dropbox
  • Links
  • Contact