Discoverychannel.ca Partners with Youth Films!

YFI is overjoyed. One of the most respected networks in the country is partnering with us in an exciting venture.

Each student who completes his or her short doc will be eligible to have it posted to Discoverychannel.ca and voted on by a worldwide audience! The winner will be announced at the Fall Screening Gala (October 2009).

“We’re excited to partner with the 2009 Youth Films said Jon de la Mothe, Executive Producer, Interactive at Discovery Channel Canada “the docs will be streamed on DiscoveryChannel.ca providing the students with a real life audience for their finished projects.”

It's an amazing opportunity for any first time documentary maker and TYDP students know they have to raise the bar.

Keep checking this website to find out when the doc's will be posted on-line so you can vote.

Did You Know?

Student Assignment: Pitch Your Doc. In Six Words

The roots behind the idea of 'In Six Words ' apparently trace back to Ernest Hemmingway. But, the recent popularity behnd a six word memoir can be attributed to the folks at Smith Magazine. Their point is that you can say a lot in six words. (Watch the video for some of the best six-word memoirs posted on a variety of websites.) It's also a great exercise in focus when it comes to story telling. It strips away all but the very core concepts and necessary words and leaves you with a clear message. And focus is the all-important starting point in knowing what your documentary is going to be about and how to move forward. So leave your six word doc concept here. And make sure you bring it to the next workshop! You can also watch it here.

Meet The Newest Youth Films Intl. Student Doc-Makers!

The YFI 2009 workshops have begun and you're looking at future documentary makers! These guys and girls have officially leapt off the diving board into an intense 6 weeks of learning the ropes for making a short doc, and the chance to change a small piece of the world with their work. They're a smart, dedicated and creative bunch. Their projects are ambitious - and totally within their reach. Stay tuned for the final results to see their finished projects at a special Gala Screening. Feel free to leave a comment if you have suggestions for their docs or if you have ideas or inspiration to share.



Aaron Lai and Philip Szukala

Both currently attending Don Mills CI. First time documentary makers and really excited in what we will create. Pursuing a career in the industry of media, specifically film making, Youth Films was a perfect opportunity for both of us to explore and learn about film.

Aaron: I can't remember the exact date, but it must have been sometime right after Rush Hour came out that I really got interested in film. Literally right after I watched it, I went on my computer and started typing my own screenplay. Sadly, over the years I lost this file. Ever since that day I've been taking every opportunity possible to gain experience in the media. I made small films about random things with my friends but nothing at the level of professional I was seeking. I decided to take an extra year at Don Mills CI to gain more experience in film and photography before applying for a post secondary education at Western, Ryerson and York University and hopefully one day, a career in the film production industry.

Philip: I've been into film from about the age of 10. After watching "The Matrix", me and my best friend took out my parents camera and started filming an action film. It was based on mission and spy things and that's when I realized how I can use one camera to film multiple angles of shots, and put together a whole story. We made about three sequels (about 5-10min each) and showed our parents. They were surprised at what we did and even how we did it all. Ever since that time I've started realizing I'm really good at this and can go a lot further. I've recently been filming and editing skateboarding, then throwing it out onto my Youtube account. I've made a couple short films and some video projects for my classes. I joined the Youth Films program to learn more about the industry and to finally make my first documentary along with my partner Aaron. Im very excited to start shooting and putting this together for you all.

Amrew Badr







Currently attending Don Mills CI, I am a first time documentary film maker. However, the concept of making videos themselves is not new to me. Aside from films, I like video games, and long walks on the beach. Future career plans include infiltrating your mind with my brand of socially conscious pieces of art, whatever the medium may be.

My documentary is about artists, and how ordinary their lives really are. All this despite the glamorous lifestyle often portrayed on television.

Laura Fallis






My name is Laura Fallis and I'm an 18 year old grade 12 student. This is my first time making a documentary but I have made short videos before. I worked on my middle school video yearbook, but I haven't done anything since then in the field of video so I'm very excited to dive back into it! As for future career plans...who really knows what they want to do when they're 18 years old? There are many things I would love to do with my life, but one thing I am leaning towards is teaching. But who knows, that may change in the next couple of years while I'm off at University, which I plan (hope!) to attend in the fall to take Kinesiology.

The documentary my partner Hannah and I are doing is called The Pursuit of Happiness. We are planning to make a light-hearted and fun video on the many ideas stemming from happiness. Such as materialism, the psychology of happiness, the effect of love, family and relationships on happiness. My partner and I are genuinely curious about the reasons for happiness and what affects our own personal happiness. This is why we chose to do our documentary on this topic. I am very excited about this project and cannot wait to spread the happiness!

Hannah Athanasiadis




Hannah is 17 years old and attends Don Mills Collegiate Institute. She was born in Montreal, and lived in Lachute, a small town close by. When she was 6 years old she moved to Toronto and has been living there ever since. Hannah’s background is Greek. However, since she was born in Canada, she also identifies with being Canadian, often referring to herself as a Greek-Canadian. Hannah has many interests, but her main interest is music. She has been playing piano since she was 6, and although she quit the Royal Conservatory of Music after receiving her grade 8 piano diploma, she still continues to play. She specializes in writing her own music. Hannah is very interested in health and the human body, as well as psychology. She has applied to universities for food and nutrition programs and she hopes to become a Dietician in the future. Although she wants to become a dietician, her ultimate career dream would be to become a music producer. Hannah also has a bit of experience in other related fields, such as visual and cyber art, photography, film, musical theatre and modeling. She wants to expand her creative streak and experience even more in these and other related artistic fields. Hannah has been taking photos and making movies since she was little, so that is what sparked her to take the Youth Films course. She hopes that by taking this course and making a documentary, it will help her to expand on her creative knowledge and experience and possible career options.

James Graham

When I was 8 I discovered movies.

My parents divorced. I moved a lot and lived in many different houses apartments/condos in the city. I didn't have many friends, so I spent a lot of time at home in front of the good ol' tube. Sure, I liked cartoons, but there was something about movies.
As the viewer I was brought into a new world. A world filled with so many new emotions, ideas and opinions. I was hooked. Sometimes I would go rent 7 from the corner video store, and watch them in one sitting.
I told my parents I wanted to be an actor when I grew up.
I was enrolled in YPT(Young People's Theater). I was kicked out of YPT.
After that I stuck to watching movies, and dreaming.
I attended Northern Secondary School Grade 9 through 11.They have a great Drama program.
I barely passed the class, I hated paper work. At the end of the year one student in each class is awarded with an achievement certificate, for outstanding participation and achievement. Now with such a low mark I didn't believe I had a chance. When I won it I was punch drunk. After my teacher told me why I knew what I wanted to be, a film director.
I dropped out of school for a year. I pulled up my socks. I attended East York Alternative, where I met another teacher who was just as obsessed with movies as I was. About a year ago he told me about this Youth Films Project and that I should sign up for it. I went at it with gusto. It wasn't the best of times, things were unclear and I failed to complete the doc. I finally graduated high school and the second YFI rolled around. I asked Fran if it was alright if I came back again, she said yes. Thank you Fran!

Being a first time documentary film maker I had some difficulties thinking of a topic. So I thought and i thought, until it came to me.
My Doc is a true character piece, about me and my many recent conflicts struggles and flaws(addiction/obsession). It is about my will, my confidence and determination to overcome these afflictions and to follow my dreams. It is the discovery of oneself, in a positive manner. Although, not everything is in my perspective. People close and far to me will paint my portrait. The question is will they show you who I really am? Or will I?

Mazhar Kakar








I was born on October 24, 1990 in Kabul, Afghanistan and moved to Toronto, Ontario in 2006 where I now live. I am currently studying at Don Mills Collegiate Institute. This is my first time coming out of my darkroom and using my photography skills to make a documentary. Following my high school career my plan is to pursue a post-secondary education in photography at Ryerson University or Concordia University where I want to expand my knowledge of fashion photography and photojournalism.

My documentary is based on the different aspects of Toronto's architecture from Industrial to Commercial to Residential.

Melissa Cederqvist












Melissa Cederqvist is a first-time documentary film maker in her last year of high school at Don Mills Collegiate Institute. Seventeen going on graduation she enjoys current events, languages, science and philosophy. Her documentary is an account of the changes her community of Don Mills in Toronto is undergoing, with the building of a new mall and a large condominium.


Sally Rylett and Ariane Fairlie







Ariane Fairlie is a first time filmmaker, although is regularly interested in photography and visual arts. She is extremely excited about discovering the world of film and documentary making, as well as discovering more about herself and the topic of the doc. Ariane currently attends Harbord Collegiate institute, and after highschool, Ariane hopes to attend Concordia University in Montreal for studio arts yet intends to bring the experiences and knowledge she achieves from this experience to help inspire and relate to her art.

As well as Ariane, Sally Rylett is a first time filmmaker, with previous interests in photography. She intends to pursue film, and is curious to see what she will learn both about the technical aspects of filmmaking, the difference of documentary style filmmaking, and especially about the film topic throughout the process. Sally is currently at Northern Secondary School, and Concordia University is her dream post-secondary school, and she intends to apply for the film production school. The skills she learns from this course, as well as an insight into the professional world of filmmaking, will help drive and inspire her to continue on in film and cinema.


Our documentary is about a theatre group called The Friendly Spike Theatre Band. This group is composed of multiple volunteers who can stay for one production or many years, who perform productions primarily based on mental illness and struggles in today's society.

Shilpi Banerjee

Employment Specialist with Toronto District School Board.


When it comes to documentary making, this will be my first attempt. I got the idea while my spouse who is in the armed forces was deployed for a peacekeeping mission in Sudan for seven months. The degree of isolation, lack of support and ignorance from community towards soldiers and their families prompted me to do something to bring more awareness and I thought making a documentary might serve the purpose of educating others.

A lot of students in school do not know much about the contribution that soldiers and their families have made. So through my documentary, I would like to educate not only the general public but students too and one day make it part of school resources where it can inspire students to make a difference no matter what they choose to become, learn to be resilient and to believe in themselves while keeping a positive attitude when life takes a bumpy ride.

This documentary will be for charity and any funds raised will go towards the children of the wounded soldiers or their families.

The Workshops - 2009

Week 1: Intro to Docs/The Big Idea: An overview of different types of documentaries. How to come up with an idea that is realistic and achievable and entertaining. How to focus your idea.

Week 2: The Story, Part One: It's all about the story. This workshop will focus on story telling basics, who your main characters are, how it will start and how it will end

Week 3: The Story, Part Deux/Interviewing Skills: Refining your story, overcoming obstacles. How to conduct an interview

Week 4: Shoot 'em Up/Copyright: Covering the basics of using your camera equipment along with professional tips and tricks. An expert will talk about asking people to participate in your documentary. What are their rights? What are yours?

Week 5: Rough Cuts: You need to have a basic compilation of your doc by this week. Bring it in for feedback from Fran and your fellow workshoppers.

Week 6: Final Cut/Celebrate!: Bring in your finished project. What happens next for your documentary? Options for festivals, the gala screening etc.

Get Ready! 2009 Workshops Start Up at NFB

Congratulations to all students who are participating in the 2009 Toronto Youth Documentary Project Workshops! It's about to begin!

This Saturday, March 7th, the 2009 Workshop Series will kick off at 12:00 at the NFB offices at 150 John Street, Toronto, ON.  Please check in with reception and you will be directed to the workshop.

Re-Mentoring:

A big and very important part of the TYDP Workshop philosophy is "Re-Mentoring".  This is where students who take the workshops come back in following years and help guide and advise new students by sharing their experiences and help new students navigate through the often overwhelming process.

Last year's student documentary film makers Soroosh, Michael and Kirsten will be on hand to show you their films and share their experience. Bring your questions so you can learn from them and how they accomplished their goals. 

If you have not yet registered for the Workshops, do it now. See the application form for required info and email youthfilms@gmail.com 

Check out the post relating to Workshop Outline for more info.

TYDP