Registration is now open for Summer 2024!

Chicago Filmmakers’ popular Filmmaking Summer Camp is back! Hands-on and collaborative, this all-encompassing camp gives budding filmmakers a crash-course in filmmaking that teaches a wide range of skills including creating shot-lists, scouting locations, setting up camera angles, using green screen, post-production editing, and sound design. We currently offer Filmmaking for Youth (ages 9-13) and Filmmaking for Teens (ages 13-17).

For ages 13-17, we will be offering two sessions: Monday - Friday, July 1 - July 12 | Monday - Friday, July 29 - August 9

For ages 9 - 13, we will be offering two sessions: Monday - Friday, June 17 - June 28 & Monday - Friday, July 15 - July 26

Our students learn the ins and outs of filmmaking in the space of summer break. For our emerging teen auteurs, this summer we’re emphasizing both media literacy and an advanced comprehension and utilization of editing languages. They’ll learn how to make multiple styles of movies from scratch, without a big budget, while emphasizing the ways in which media has a profound effect on consciousness. Media can make radical transformations in the world. We want our students to be aware and creative while they have fun making new ideas possible.

Our teen summer camp is meant to bolster the confidence and enrich the imaginations of our students so that they not only have the skills to use film/video craft in whatever career they inevitably choose, but so they can also engage in developing their vision and expressive voice. We encourage them to bring that vision into the world through ethical means. Students will work collaboratively over a number of short film projects, learning everything from cinematography to sound, editing, VFX & color. Along the way they’ll build team-working skills and learn to communicate in the complex languages of a film director.

(Enroll for both sessions to offer young filmmakers a more intensive experience.)

Important Note: Proof of vaccination is currently required to participate in classes on-site at Chicago Filmmakers. A health certification form with a digital copy (photo, scan, etc.) of your dated vaccination card must be submitted after registering. Students must be scheduled to receive the second vaccination shot at least two weeks prior to the class start date.

Most camp activities and film shooting will take place outdoors. Indoor editing will take place in Chicago Filmmakers' theatre for maximum social distance spacing.