Frames Film Program

The Frames Film Program is an off-site program of Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House. As a Vancouver-based film production and life skills program, it provides opportunities for youth to learn the basics of filmmaking in a supportive, safe and fun environment.

Operating out of East Vancouver’s Drive Youth Employment Services (D-YES), multi-barriered (ie. mental health, homelessness, unemployment) receive support from a full youth Case Management Team, a Frames’ Social Worker and Film Instructor. Each twelve week cycle involves weekly lessons and two shooting and editing weekends, where participants gain life and employment skills, industry knowledge from guest speakers, and technical filmmaking skills.

Youth collaboratively create short film projects expressing their thoughts and ideas for change. In some cases, youth will conceptualize, film, and edit a film for a partnered non-profit organization to gain hands-on work experience and build community engagement. All projects are shared with the community via numerous events and media channels subsequent to each course.

Several of our participants' short films have had great success on the film festival circuit. Where We Sleep (2012) screened at the Reel 2 Real Film Festival for Youth and won Best Directing for its brave team. What Is A Home? (2013) won Best Film at the Surrey Homelessness and Housing Society's Youth Film Competition, and is an official selection of the Reel Youth Film Festival which premiered the PSA at the Vancouver International Film Festival and has toured over thirty countries worldwide.

Over the past 6 years, our approach has proven to help youth with significant barriers develop a wide range of skills and begin to take necessary steps towards employment and community attachment.