Southside FYI Mentorship

Southside FYI Summer Mentorship Program

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!

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

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

Reflection, 2018

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

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

     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

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

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

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

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

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.