23 Apr Philadelphia Organization Spotlight: Lil’ Filmmakers

BY ERICK BARRAGÁN RAMÍREZ

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.

Lil’ Filmmakers was founded in 2009, with the aim of bringing the city’s youngest artists into the film industry. Lil’ Filmmakers provides youth in Philadelphia with the tools and knowledge to pursue filmmaking and other artistic projects. They teach young people to use film and media “as a tool to overcome societal and personal barriers and prepare them for career opportunities in the creative industry.” The film industry can be very exclusive, requiring newcomers to have the money and connections to jumpstart their careers. Lil’ Filmmakers offers mentorship, workshops, and after-school programs to offset some of these barriers. 

The organization’s programs have two main purposes: to support youth in creating their film or media project, and to provide them with their first payment in the industry.

cinéSPEAK spoke with Janine Spruill, CEO and Founder of Lil’ Filmmakers, about their story, the barriers present for young artists in Philly, and their new physical space.

cinéSPEAK: What is unique about Lil’ Filmmakers within the Philadelphia landscape?

Lil’ Filmmakers: What makes our organization unique is our intense center of focus on the social and emotional wellness of our young artists. Over the last 15 years, we have served thousands of Philadelphia’s youth ages 10-25. Systemic inequalities and disenfranchisement impact the mental and emotional health of young people. We have witnessed how the arts can positively transform the heart and mind of a young person. We have had countless youths share that if they did not have a camera in their hand, their life would have gone down a different path.

Our educational models, programs, productions, and special engagements have a “hope and aspirations” framework. Art and storytelling turn lived experiences into tales of triumph and perseverance. Storytelling builds confidence in youth because it connects to the emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills needed to navigate the advancement of opportunities. Our young people are in control of their narratives. Youth use their work to speak truth to power and uplift themselves and their communities.

cinéSPEAK: What is one thing the general public might not know about your organization?

Lil’ Filmmakers: We have a unique origin story. It all started with the 1982 film E.T., directed by Steven Speilberg. Janine Spruill, then seven years old, was fascinated by the story of kids discovering and becoming friends with a lost alien. Her love for movies grew deeper as she got older. During this time, film education was not offered to young people, especially Black youth in West Philadelphia, so Janine took to learning about movies from books at the library. 

In 1999, now a senior majoring in Film and Media Arts at Temple University, Janine volunteered to travel to underserved communities to teach youth how to use video cameras to tell their stories. She brought video production equipment, costumes, makeup, and props, allowing the kids to bring their stories to life. Movies about kids can have an impact on kids. 

How cool is it to have kids make movies for kids?

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

Lil’ Filmmakers: We are so honored to have met and worked with such talented and passionate youth over the years. Lil’ Filmmakers will be at the forefront of championing Philadelphia’s next generation of film/media makers. We’re building more financial support, pipeline opportunities, and jobs for our young people. We are expanding our partnerships to the national level to bring more resources to Philadelphia and send youth to partners out of state. Our city’s artistic youth population has the potential to enrich the cultural fabric, promote social change, and empower their peers to be problem solvers and thought leaders in Philadelphia and beyond.

We love to partner with organizations and businesses that care about young people. Our seasoned young adult film/media makers offer services to capture community stories through video, photography, and graphic design. Through these partnerships, we can place our highly trained creatives in work opportunities. Our fellow film and media makers are needed as mentors. We have ambitious aspiring filmmakers, so mentors and professional thought partners can level up a young filmmaker’s work. 

cinéSPEAK: What are some of the opportunities at your organization that folks can get involved in?

Lil’ Filmmakers: Large and small donations always help to keep young people engaged and have access to equipment and technology. It also helps with transportation and food for some youth. We welcome filmmakers and other creative professionals to serve as mentors, instructors, and potential work supervisors. It takes a village!

cinéSPEAK: Tell us something exciting that is coming up for Lil’ Filmmakers.

Lil’ Filmmakers: We’ll have a grand new location opening in the late spring 2024. We closed the Lancaster Ave location. We are at our new space at 6156 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128.

Stay tuned! Sign up for our newsletters and our social media. Our online platforms are run by our young adults.

*Featured Image: Image of young filmmakers on set. Image credit: Julian Moore-Griffin

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.

---

Erick Barragán Ramírez is an immigration specialist at Catholic Social Services of Philadelphia, PA.  In addition to being an avid cinephile he serves as a board member of the Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia. With a background in law studies in Mexico, he came to the US in 2017 and actively volunteers at various organizations supporting immigrants in Philadelphia, including the Welcoming Center, the Consulate of Mexico, and the online radio Philatinos.