Press & Events
Making an Impact, YDA is Back in Session
Creating Community Partnerships:
A new Rocky Mountain PBS television series, in partnership with the Youth Documentary Academy, will be one more avenue for the voices, images and messages of the student filmmakers to be heard, seen and felt.
Kate Perdoni, RMPBS director/producer, knows the importance of storytelling and collaboration. Her interest doesn’t end at the studio. Perdoni, a member of the YDA Advisory Council, has been instrumental with YDA founder/director Tom Shepard in creating the alliance between YDA and RMPBS to co-produce and launch the television series around the student-produced films.
“We recognize the unique point of view and continuity of storytelling represented in YDA films, deserving of its own platform. YDA’s engagement of students in screenings, advocacy, and outreach work surrounding their narrative films fits beautifully within RMPBS’ capabilities and mission to impact statewide communities through local storytelling,” Perdoni states, ”I have no doubt that this series, slated to debut on Rocky Mountain PBS in 2019, will be a national sensation.”
Perdoni, whose exposure to quality programming provides her with a critical eye, acknowledges being in awe of the student films. “I have been continually blown away and inspired by the output of this collaborative model, and by the students themselves.”
She asserts, “It is essential that the next generation’s voices are lifted and comprehended not only by their peers, but by us adults who have now the avenues and resources to raise these stories and prepare students for success. YDA bridges a huge gap between the adolescent experience and a platform for self-expression”
