In 1998, with the support of Charles Street Video, Inside Out initiated the Queer Youth Digital Video Project to provide opportunities for youth to learn video production in a supportive atmosphere. The Youth Project provides young artists with the hands-on access to the latest video technology - which historically has been financially out of reach for most youth. As well, the Project provides one-on-one mentorship and training with professional artists. Often post-secondary programs do not offer safe, supportive, queer and anti-oppressive environments for queer youth to express themselves and be creative. The QYDVP provides this important outlet.
Queer youth under the age of 25 are mentored through the process of making their first videos - from storyboarding and shooting to post-production and editing. In 2009, Inside Out switched to working with high definition camera equipment and produced HD videos to provide new opportunities to young artists to have access to the latest technologies in video production.
After completion the works are screened at the Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film and Video Festival and many have gone on to play at festivals around the globe. Each year, the videos are compiled on DVD and distributed free to schools and community organizations. To date, 77 youth have created work through the Project. In 2008 after the Project celebrated its 10th anniversary, a special compilation of the Queer Youth Digital Video Project was presented in Barcelona, Spain.
The Legacy Video Project is a pilot initiative introduced during our 20th Anniversary Festival. Much like queer youth, seniors also often lack access to professional educational mentorships, new technologies and opportunities to engage with their peers in a supportive, LGBT-positive environment. The objective of the Legacy Video Project is to get the video technology into the hands of queer seniors so they have the opportunity to create and tell their stories on the big screen. There is often a gap between the young and older generations. With the Legacy Video Project, we hope that youth and seniors will share in their experiences and stories while working together. The participants will have the chance to learn from one another while acquiring videomaking skills.
Click here for 2009 QYDVP program notes
