Apply to YDA

 

GOOGLE CHROME WORKS BEST FOR THIS APPLICATION.

Applications for the class of 2024 are now closed. Applications for the class of 2025 will open in January, 2025. 

The Youth Documentary Academy (“YDA”) is an intensive, two-month summer documentary filmmaking fellowship serving young people in Southern Colorado from ages 14-20. From initial concept to final edit and distribution, you will learn the process of documentary filmmaking, including hands-on training with digital cameras, sound recording, lighting and interviewing, and digital editing. Working in teams, you will direct your own short documentary film around a topic that you are interested in.

YDA is a fun – but demanding – experience. You will get to meet professional filmmakers, screen award-winning documentary films, and work with other aspiring young filmmakers in the area. Teamwork and dedication will be essential to participation in the program. Please make sure you are fully available for the program dates (June-July) as attendance is mandatory.

If accepted into the program, your fellowship includes full tuition (no cost to you) and access to state of the art digital filmmaking equipment (which will be available to you for teaching tutorials and to check out for your own film projects). The value of this fellowship exceeds $5,000.

Guidelines

Applications for the 2024 session are now closed. Check back in January, 2025, for our next open call.

Welcome to the application pages for the Youth Documentary Academy. Our primary YDA session runs for approximately 8 weeks starting at the beginning of June. Participants are expected to be available for and attend the entire session.

GUIDELINES TO APPLY:

√  Must be between the ages of 14-20

√  Must live in Colorado Springs and surrounding areas (exceptions will be made on a case by case basis.)

√ Application completed online and submitted before April 15. 

√ Provide name and email address for one teacher or mentor who has agreed to provide a letter of recommendation

Good luck. We look forward to reading your application below. 

    Applicant Information:

    Name:
    Address:
    City/State/ZIP:
    Cell Phone:
    Home Phone:
    Date of Birth:
    Age:
    Email:
    If you are currently attending school, what grade are you currently enrolled and which school do you attend?:

    Applicant Questions:

    1. How would you describe yourself in three words?

    2. Explain in three to four sentences why you want to be a part of the Youth Documentary Academy this summer.

    3. Do you have a personal or family issue or a social theme you would like to explore in the Youth Documentary Academy. Why do you think this issue is important to explore as a filmmaker?

    4. Have you ever been in a position where you’ve advocated for someone else or for an issue that matters to you? If so, please describe.

    5. Do you have any experience in the following:

    Video shooting and/or editing
    Graphic design
    Journalism or writing
    Photography
    Interviewing
    YesNo

    If yes, please explain. (Please note you do not need to have any prior experience to be accepted to YDA!)

    6. Working cooperatively in a production team is an essential requirement for YDA. What skills and qualities do you have that would make you an excellent member of a YDA production team? Please list any examples of how you’ve shown respect for others’ differences.

    7. YDA’s mission is to work with youth who otherwise wouldn’t have this opportunity, or whose issues have been under represented or marginalized. Knowing this, why do you deserve one of the 12 available slots this summer?

    8. (Optional) Please attach a sample of some of your creative work (could be artwork, writing, video, photography, etc) below (Max file size: 3MB per file). You can also send files directly to info@youthdocumentary.org, be sure to include your name in the email.



    If you’d prefer to provide an online link to your work, please enter the details below:

    9. Please provide the name and email address of the mentor or teacher who has agreed to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. The YDA staff will contact them via email and request that they complete an online recommendation form.

    Teacher/Mentor Name:
    Teacher/Mentor Email Address:
    Teacher/Mentor Phone Number:

    10. How did you hear about the Youth Documentary Academy?



    These are OUR stories. I’m amazed at what we had access to in a seven-week program. YDA has helped me in so many ways.

    WILLIAM J. SOBOLIK, 18