My City Now
Future Filmmaker Contest received entries from all over the U.S. The students
who entered projects into this contest created exceptional pieces of work and
all deserved to be recognized. Most entries were from first time filmmakers.
Below is a list of all the projects submitted and a short description written
by the students for each entry. View the Honorable Mention videos now by pulling
down the video of your choice from the QuickTime menu!Congratulations to every
student who entered this contest. It was apparent to the judges for this project
that everyone put in a great deal of effort. It takes a lot of work, time and
energy to create a documentary. It is also takes a great support system, so
thank you to all the teachers, family, friends and community members who helped
to create these videos.
HONORABLE MENTION
"Student Immigrant"
"Change"
"Chicago Now"
"Denver Poets"
"A Nameless Face"
"I'm Hispanic but I don't Speak Spanish"
"My City Then, My City Now"
"It's My City Now"
"The Unheard"
"Living in a Peaceless Community"
"Buffalo Soldiers"
"My City Now San Diego"
Chicago – My City Now
Entries
Helen
17
Lane Tech H.S.
Chi City
In my film I bring up a subject that's been bothering me about Chicago which
is segregation within the city. I filmed different shots of Chicago and interviewed
a variety of people and asked what their reaction was to living in one of the
most segregated cities in the country. This project is one of the best experiences
of my life. At first I was kind of hesitant about the contest b/c I'd never
made a film in my life. Then I started to experiment around and with the encouragement
of my friends and family I became more confident and determined to make the
film. It was very hard making the film b/c I don't have the best editing program
but I worked with what I had which was; a camcorder, keyboard and Windows Movie
Maker and of course Chicago. Every minute working on this film was worth it!
back to top
Melanie
17
Curie Metropolitan H.S.
Student Immigrant
My project is to show my neighborhood and how immigrant people work and live.
I will try to make the mood or feel of what immigrant students go through.
I am very proud of my little brother because he helped me record. The thing
is that he is only 6 years old.
back to top
Edward
17
Curie Metropolitan H.S.
Chicago
A young man (I) takes the "L" train downtown with a series of voiceovers
talking about what Chicago means to them. It ends with the same young man at
Millennium park with his own voiceover.
Charles
16
Curie Metropolitan H.S.
Chicago Gangs
Short film with an interview of Pascual Madrigal, who is talking about his experiences
with gang members and tries to explain the reason for gangs through his own
words.
Ryan
16
Curie Metropolitan H.S.
Skate Chicago
My video project is based on skateboarding in different spots all over Chicago.
Gladis
18
Curie Metropolitan H.S.
No Skool Wat Know
2 _ minute project about at risk youth contemplating dropping out of high school.
Brandon
18
Free Spirit Media at North Lawndale College Prep & Manley H.S.
Change
"Change" is a snapshot of the North Lawndale neighborhood on Chicago’s
West Side as it enters a phase of redevelopment. Area residents were interviewed
about their feelings of the process which is bringing tremendous change to this
long-resourced community.
Making this video was a thrill and an adventure.
back to top
Derell
15
Prosser Career Academy H.S. / Community TV Network
Chicago Now
An examination of how one youth decides to take action to better his school
system.
back to top
Gabriel
17
Roberto Clemente H.S.
Chicago’s Diversity
Chicago’s diversity is it’s strength and is due to its attractiveness
for many immigrants. Yet it struggles to make its neighborhood communities integrated,
not segregated.
Denver – My City Now Entries
Alessandra & Andrew
15 & 16
Denver School of the Arts
My City Denver
Our project is about how people feel towards Denver. It tells what makes the
city what it is today.
JD
16
Denver School of the Arts
Mile High Primos: A Juggalo Home in Denver’s Zone
A small tire and kerosene station is a home for "the juggalos" what
is known as "outcasts of society." Unknown too many people, the juggalos
are a community or family who follow the same guidelines when it comes to everything
in an everyday life, such as music. Primos, the station that supports juggalos
are given a chance to express themselves to the camera and why they are important
to the Denver community.
In doing this project I have learned skills beyond what I thought I could gain.
These skills ranges from lighting to camera manning and most of all, editing.
I know there’s quite a bit of cursing in the interviews but it was my
own thought and opinion of why change these juggalos for who they are and they
believe, please look beyond the swearing and thank you for letting me be a part
of this.
Cassandra
17
Career Education Center Middle College of Denver
Immigration
This is about the lives of people who migrated and live in Denver.
Alexa
17
East H.S.
D – Town B-boys
Underground break dancing in Denver.
Mayra
16
Career Education Center Middle College of Denver
Denver Poets
My project focuses on the Denver poetry scene; it’s poets and especially
the poetry slams.
back to top
Jessica
16
Career Education Center Middle College of Denver
Street Musicians
This video is about street musicians in Denver, Colorado. They talk about Denver’s
music scene, their life struggles, and the way they are ignored by society.
Houston – My City Now Entries
Spring Woods High School
Buffalo Soldiers in My City
This was a very important and irreplaceable experience for TigerTV. The Buffalo
Soldiers Museum is a part of American history and is part of the numerous historical
sites in Houston. We hope our video helps bridge the gap between the young and
seniors of our city. We thank Captain Matthews for his dedication to the preservation
of this Houston landmark.Name:
back to top
Spring Woods High School
Reflections
Mrs. Bustomji shares details of a trip of a lifetime to Saudi Arabia. The stories
and memories she returned with inspired students, friends and the Houston community.
Skills she gained both home and abroad have connected people "across the
waters" with our own city, Houston.
Las Vegas – My City Now Entries
Jocelyn
16
Desert Pines H.S.
Hispanic Friendly
This video is about Hispanics in Las Vegas. It shows how this city is a great
place to live in. The video shows examples of why this is true.
Dandy French
16
Desert Pines H.S.
Project includes footage of the various sights in the city of Las Vegas with
interview voiceovers describing why they moved to Las Vegas, and what has changed.
Developing this project proved to be quite a challenging task compared to most
school assignments. It required much to be done outside of school and our own
time. With extra classes both before and after school, getting time to interview
some teachers proved difficult. I developed a new respect for television and
film.
San Antonio – My City Now Entries
Sara
16
The International School of the Americas
Muertitos
A brief look into the cultural celebration of Dia de los Muertos in San Antonio,
Texas. Project includes imagery from festivals, art galleries and various cemeteries
around the city that participate in the celebration.
John
17
Churchill H.S.
Katrina
A story of Hurricane Katrina evacuee’s who live in San Antonio, Texas.
Leann
14
Brackenridge H.S.
Veladora: The Light of Hope
This documentary is about a local artist, Jesse Trevino who created the "veladora"
in the West Side area of San Antonio, Texas to try to give hope to the community.
Juan
18
Lanier H.S.
The Legendary Chili Bowl
The Chili Bowl is a historic annual football game between Lanier High School
and Fox Tech, two high schools with a predominantly Mexican American student
body in San Antonio’s West Side. The rivalry has dated for more than 60
years. This film gives a glimpse of the parades, rallies and fan fair that accompany
this yearly event. Filmmaker Juan Chavez also captures the winning play that
not only named Lanier the 2005 Chili Bowl Champion, but also the winner of a
district championship as well.
Albert
18
Lanier H.S.
Here in San Antonio
West Side San Antonio feels much like home to Albert Ramirez, whose family is
originally from Mexico. This short film shows some of the buildings and murals
of San Antonio’s West Side – his family’s new home. The film
also gives us a glimpse into his family’s life and what they feel is most
important about San Antonio and why they left Mexico.
Monica
17
Harlandale H.S.
Welcome to San Antonio
This documentary is a short insight on people’s opinions on the city of
San Antonio. It shows what average people think about the city and it’s
culture.
Casandra
17
Harlandale H.S.
South Side Driveby
This video is about my neighborhood and events that have occurred in my life
that I wanted to share with everyone. Usually people think that the south side
is a bad place to be and I am showing them that the south side can be fun to
live and doesn’t always fit the stereotypical analogies most people like
to make.
Isabel
16
Harlandale H.S.
Where Have Your Shoes Been?
This project was shot in six days and it views opinions of the people of San
Antonio and where their shoes have taken them. It also encloses the thoughts
and stereotypes that obstruct the beauty of the city.
Consuelo
18
Communications Arts H.S.
A Nameless Face
The focus of the documentary is the homeless of San Antonito and also the stereotypes
that people give to the homeless. We interview a man named Seth Camm, an activist
who draws portraits of homeless people and provides food for them. Our hope
is that this documentary will motivate people to do the same or learn to rid
themselves of the stereotypes they give to the homeless.
back to top
Jamie
17
Brackenridge H.S.
Merging Generations
The elderly and youth merge to share views on one another.
Joseph
16
Brackenridge H.S.
Preservation
Interviews of teenagers and an elderly person giving advice on the importance
of education and communication.
Amanda
17
Brackenridge H.S.
Pioneers of the Past, Leaders of the Future
My grandparents discuss the changes in Hispanic Society over time. They talk
about our rich culture, strong heritage and family values. These are the important
things in life.
Kimberly
17
Brackenridge H.S.
Values: The Foundation of Life
This documentary is about preserving these values of the past by communication.
It includes interviews of what young kids have learned from the elder. It also
has interviews of my grandfather with his input on life and suggestions as to
what is best for the youth.
Surahi
18
Brackenridge H.S.
Hope
A discussion between generations about the future.
Eugene
18
McCollum H.S.
Market Square
This documentary features interviews of people who were at Market Square that
told us what they found unique about San Antonio and the culture of downtown.
Sarah
18
McCollum H.S.
"I’m Hispanic, But I Don’t Speak Spanish"
This project explores issues with Hispanic teens in San Antonio who grow up
with parents and grandparents that speak Spanish, but who don’t speak
Spanish themselves."
back to top
San Diego– My City Now Entries
Kasim
16
Crawford Educational Complex Multimedia & Visual Arts School
It’s My City Now
A young immigrant arrives in San Diego and finds something unexpected. He finds
out about the immigrants in San Diego.
back to top
Guilain
16
Crawford H.S.
My City Then, My City Now
As an immigrant in San Diego I have overcome a lot of struggles to achieve many
accomplishments. This video is about my struggles in a new city and how I overcame
them to find a San Diego that embraces me.
back to top
Carla Pisbe
3020 Heather Street
16
Hoover H.S.
My City Now San Diego
The video is about San Diego and its environment. One lady, Shara Fisler, is
working to change the future of the city’s environment and youth.
Daniel
17
Hoover H.S.
Hoover High School Sports
A brief documentary about how high school sports are a lifestyle that fits young
adults. This highlights Hoover as an important high school in San Diego.
Jonathan
14
Hoover H.S.
The Painting of a Culture
Our video represents Chicano park and its amazing murals, plus the rise of a
hardworking culture.
Robert
17
Hoover H.S.
My City Now: Mission Valley Then & Now
This project is about how Mission Valley, San Diego has gone from a rural farm
area and into a booming center of business commerce, and how it has grown in
general.
Marco
17
Hoover H.S.
Immigration (San Diego: Beauty & the Beast)
Documentary film that reflects illegal immigration opinions about the U.S. and
its citizens.
Carmela
18
Hoover H.S.
Beyond the Frontier
The effects of immigration and minuteman in San Diego, Tijuana Border. Discussion
of minuteman identity. The support of immigrants economy to San Diego.
Vanessa
17
Hoover H.S.
What is San Diego’s Military Future?
How military life affects San Diego. Not only San Diego in general, but the
economy and family life.
Elizabeth
17
Hoover H.S.
The Opportunity City
This movie is mainly about students ditching, not appreciating education and
students who come from far away like Tijuana to have a better education. They
leave their houses early in the mornings and get back home late.
Genesis
17
Hoover H.S.
Welcome to San Diego
This documentary persuades people to come and enjoy the diverse places and activities
that San Diego has to offer, proving it is a wonderful place to visit.
Daniel
17
Hoover H.S.
Hoover High School: A Model School for All Schools
In this documentary I demonstrate how Hoover High in San Diego has changed in
appearance, student population, diversity and in education. The purpose was
to show the community that Hoover High is a model school for all schools.
San Francisco – My City Now Entries
Gloria
17
John O’Connell H.S.
Frisco Let’s Go
The diversity of San Francisco.
Denise
17
Berkeley H.S.
My City Now: San Francisco’s Mission District & Diversity
Interviews with multiple people about Mission’s Diversity.
Genysys
17
Berkeley H.S.
San Francisco Bay Area Hip-Hop
This video is basically an overview of the role that hip-hop plays in the bay
area and how the bay area hip-hop scene stands out from other places in the
country.
This project is basically a different overview of bay are hip-hop and I wanted
to show different perspectives of the importance of hip-hop in people who are
into the hip-hop scene. These people include; producers, radio personalities,
rappers and people who work other jobs.
Harris
17
Berkeley H.S.
Street Music
A homeless man shares his views on music and life in the city of Berkeley.
Arianna & Rico
17
Berkeley H.S.
International Blvd: A Cornerstone of America’s Multicultural Communities
This documentary tries to breakaway from mainstream media’s stereotypes
of East Oakland as a war zone and show the experience of its residents. We focus
on the immigrant experience in largely Latino populated Fruitvale district.
Stephen
11th Grade
Galileo H.S.
Living in a Peaceless Community
This piece tells the story of life before and after the beef started in Hunter’s
Point.
back to top
Alicia
19
My Unhappy Streets
This piece is about the streets of Bayview Hunters Point. People in this high
risk community are not aware of the unhappy streets.
I’m a native of San Francisco and enjoy making short movies.
Mac-Uzi
17
Thurgood Marshall H.S.
Block Violence
This movie is about hood violence and how it isn’t a game out here.
Tania
17
The Unheard
This piece is about immigrants in the U.S., why they are on Cesar Chavez Streeet,
their struggles and the reason why they’re here.
Tania is interested in raising awareness, fighting for freedom and having fun,
of course.
back to top
Brandon
Neighborhood Related
The projects main focus is giving the audiences a window to see in the Western
Addition. It gives people a new look at the struggles from a different part
of the city.
Brandon is a born leader, who is dedicated to giving back to his community and
is interested in a career in radio, television or working with youth to help
with problems through shared experiences and guidance.
Genysys
17
Berkeley H.S.
San Francisco Bay Area Hip-Hop
This video is basically an overview of the role that hip-hop plays in
the bay area and how the bay area hip-hop scene stands out from other places
in the country.
This project is basically a different overview of bay are hip-hop and I wanted
to show different perspectives of the importance of hip-hop in people who are
into the hip-hop scene. These people include; producers, radio personalities,
rappers and people who work other jobs.
Denise
17
Berkeley H.S.
San Francisco’s Mission District and Diversity
Interviews with multiple people about Mission’s diversity.
back to top