News Summary
The Mosaic Film Experience has received a $100,000 grant from Sony Electronics, aimed at empowering young filmmakers in Muskegon. This funding, which includes cash and equipment, will support filmmaking programs for underserved high school students starting this summer. In partnership with the Newman’s Own Foundation, the organization is launching a mobile film competition focused on food justice, inviting participants to create short films that address these important issues. Winners will be rewarded with cash prizes and developmental opportunities.
Grand Rapids – The Mosaic Film Experience, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young filmmakers, has secured a $100,000 grant from Sony Electronics. This significant funding includes $50,000 in cash and $50,000 in equipment. This grant will allow the organization to expand its reach by offering filmmaking programs to underserved high school students in Muskegon starting this summer.
In addition to the grant from Sony, Mosaic Film Experience is partnering with the Newman’s Own Foundation to launch a mobile film competition titled “Nourishing Narratives: Cultivating Youth Stories For Change.” This initiative targets children aged 10 to 18 and focuses on storytelling related to food justice and its impact on society. Participants in this competition are required to create a three-minute short film exclusively using mobile devices.
As part of the competition, winners will receive $1,000 awards along with a prize package to foster their creative development. Among the ten finalists in the competition are two students from Grand Rapids City High/Middle School, Caleb Jesse and Daniel Ewer. Their short film, titled “Apples,” showcases their talent and dedication to the theme of food justice. Caleb and Daniel will have the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles this weekend for a special screening and awards celebration.
The finalists were chosen by a jury made up of experts in food justice, film professionals, and media representatives, including members from notable organizations. The film “Apples” can currently be viewed on the FOX 17 Morning Mix, providing an opportunity for the community to engage with the students’ work.
The grant from Sony Electronics is part of their Create Action Grant Program for 2024-25, with Mosaic Film Experience being selected as one of only five recipients nationwide. This funding will not only support the Muskegon program but will also help extend Mosaic’s existing offerings to five additional U.S. cities, thereby enhancing the organization’s visibility and outreach.
Current programming at Mosaic Film Experience includes collaborations with schools in Grand Rapids, such as the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology, and year-round programming with the Grand Rapids Public Schools and Kent Intermediate School District. Students participating in these programs create short videos entered into a competition judged by professionals in the film industry, culminating in an annual awards ceremony.
The focus of Mosaic is to equip students with essential life skills rather than just training future filmmakers. This approach is led by Skot Welch, the founder of the organization, who emphasizes the importance of developing future problem-solvers, leaders, and gifted storytellers. Funding for Mosaic Film Experience comes from a variety of philanthropic sources, including the Wege Foundation, Steelcase Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
The collaboration with Newman’s Own Foundation came about as a result of a public health conference where representatives connected to discuss addressing food insecurity and its related challenges. The newly launched mobile film competition will encourage students to explore themes of food security and justice through personal experiences and potential solutions.
The partnership with Newman’s Own Foundation has a duration of one year, with the hope that it can be extended based on its successful impact on the community and participants involved. By fostering creativity and storytelling among young people, Mosaic Film Experience continues to make significant strides in empowering future generations through the medium of film.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Grand Rapids Teens Win National Film Competition for Food Justice
Additional Resources
- FOX 17: Grand Rapids Teens Heading to Los Angeles for National Youth Film Screening
- Wikipedia: Youth Film
- Rapid Growth Media: GR Teens Win National Honors for Short Film on Food Justice
- Google Search: Food Justice
- Crain’s Grand Rapids: Youth Film Nonprofit Plots National Growth with Support from Sony and Newman’s Own Foundation
- Google Scholar: Youth Film Education
- FOX 17: Grand Rapids Central High School Seniors Win National Film Contest
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Film
- Second Wave Media: Youth Film Contest Empowers Stories on Food Justice
- Google News: Film Education
