14 Feb Philadelphia Organization Spotlight: 5 Shorts Project

BY ANDRE CHERRY

The cinéSPEAK Journal publishes a monthly Philadelphia Organization Spotlight highlighting a  local film or moving image focused organization, business, or collective doing unique and  impactful work.  

For visual storytellers seeking the right resources to create their next video project, the 5 Shorts Project is a partner that can help take that vision from concept all the way through to post-production. 

The 5 Shorts Project amplifies BIPOC creators’ voices in the filmmaking industry by teaching  individuals how to write, direct, and produce their own short films. The 5 Shorts Project website states that their mission strives to raise social consciousness by equipping BIPOC communities with the skills and tools to create media that represents their culture and experiences.

cinéSPEAK asked Shameka Sawyer, Executive Director of the 5 Shorts Project, about the  opportunities at the organization, its impact on the teen community, and its aims for the Philadelphia filmmaking community.

cinéSPEAK: What are some of the programs or opportunities at the 5 Shorts Project that folks can get involved in?  

5 Shorts Project: We offer opportunities for learning all the steps of film production through hands-on experience that includes making a film. We also offer workshops, classes, and one-on-one consulting for emerging and independent filmmakers. 

cinéSPEAK: What is unique about your organization within the Philadelphia landscape? 

5 Shorts Project: We are one of the few film and video production organizations that is owned and operated by an African American woman filmmaker. Since 2014, we provided emerging filmmakers with the tools and knowledge to write, direct, and produce their first short film. We celebrate the works created by hosting a red carpet premiere for the community. 

The 5 Shorts Project website states that their produced films have been official selections at several film festivals, including: The Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, Philadelphia’s Women’s Film Festival, Hop Hop Film Festival, Indie Shorts Film Fest, Your Story Matters Film Festival, and the Impact Doc Awards.  

cinéSPEAK: What is one thing the general public might not know about the 5 Shorts Project?  

5 Shorts Project: We have produced over 40 short films in eight years. In 2021, with the support of the Leeway Foundation, we created the “Being Me: Careers Behind the Camera” program to teach teen girls how to operate film equipment by making a short documentary about their experiences during the COVID-19 shutdown. Our documentary has aired on WHYY’s television and YouTube channels.  

cinéSPEAK: Can you tell us about the youth gun violence prevention program that the 5 Shorts Project  produced?  

5 Shorts Project: Our second teen program, “Bout Mine I Matter Youth Gun Violence Prevention” program, was founded in 2022. This program taught teens directly impacted by gun violence how to process trauma as well as violence de-escalation techniques. Teens used their creativity to write and produce a short documentary about gun violence. The Bout Mine I Matter documentary and participants were featured on The Trace news platform. 

You can view the short documentary here on YouTube.  

cinéSPEAK: What impact do you hope your organization has in the Philadelphia community?  

5 Shorts Project: I hope that we continue to amplify BIPOC centered stories created by emerging filmmakers. We understand the importance of storytelling from the perspective of lived experiences and the impact representation has on marginalized communities. We want to be a part of the movement that is changing the landscape of what film production looks like in front of and behind the camera. We hope to inspire more Black, Brown, Indigenous People of Color to create content that tells their stories from their points of view.   

cinéSPEAK: Is there anything exciting that is upcoming for the 5 Shorts Project?  

5 Shorts Project: We are working in partnership with the Montgomery County OIC to bring the “Bout Mine I Matter Youth” program to Norristown.  

cinéSPEAK: Is there anything else you would like us to know about FSP? 

5 Shorts Project: We are open to collaborating with other organizations and individuals who fall in line with our mission and goals. 

For those interested in partnering with 5 Shorts Project for their next short, contact the organization here. Also, be sure to check out 5 Shorts Project’s website for more updates!  

*Featured Image: 5 Shorts Project Emerging Filmmakers Season 7. Image credit: Chris McClean of Black Lens Cinema. Courtesy of the 5 Shorts Project.

Would you like your organization to be featured in a future spotlight? Please fill out the  Philadelphia Organization Spotlight form. The cinéSPEAK Journal maintains sole discretion over  the publishing of any information provided via the form.Questions: journal@cinespeak.org.

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Andre Cherry’s love of storytelling compels him to create art. He is a cinéSPEAK Fellow, background actor, and writer. His screenplays have placed within the Austin Film Festival and Stowe Story Labs. Andre, who originally hails from the Chicagoland area, quickly grew to love Philadelphia after moving to the area in 2014. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Illinois State University.