Youth Video Production

REACH LA is committed to providing a safe space for LGBTQ youth and allies to develop their creative voice by providing on-going annual free video production workshops to youth ages 14-24. The workshops are based on creative writing and personal storytelling. Youth learn to translate their stories into short video projects by videotaping and editing in the REACH LA digital lab. The workshops provide more than technical instruction, REACH LA is place where there is always food, bus tokens, and most importantly friendly faces that respect and foster LGBT youth ideas and provide mentoring.

In the past five years of this program REACH LA has produced over 30 video titles by LGBTQ youth of color in documentary, experimental, and narrative genres. These videos have won awards and screened internationally at the London Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, OUTFEST — Los Angeles, MIX Mexico City, MIX New York, Dyke T.V., and Honolulu Rainbow Festival to name a few. The REACH LA video, "This Is How I Love You", by Christopher Harris, won the OUTFEST 2005 Audience Award for Best Documentary Short. The youth filmmakers are also regular presenters at Gay Straight Alliance clubs, Project 10's in local high schools and annually at LGBT youth conferences like Models of Pride and It's All About Love conference at Manual Arts High School. REACH LA video artists serve as role models to their peers and strive to make the LGBT youth community more visible to everyone.