Congratulations to MDC’s 2024
Teen DocAuthors, Teen DocMakers and Vanguard DocMakers!
This past Saturday, June 8, 2024, MDC rolled out the red carpet for its annual Teen Showcase. This year’s event was one of the biggest ever featuring films and a multimedia art exhibition from our Vanguard DocMakers, Teen DocAuthors and Teen DocMakers.
The day began with a soft opening of the gallery exhibit. Community members, friends, and family gathered to view photographs and sculpture created by the Vanguard DocMakers program. Of special note was the 35mm photography selection of Harlem landscapes created by Teen DocAuthors led by instructors Akeema-Zane and Kaila Burke Ozuna, developed at the Hamilton Heights Darkroom.
Later in the afternoon, the Vanguard DocMakers (led by Nasri Zacharia and Mónica Sanchez) held a showcase of student films. The brilliant documentaries ranged from a portrait of a mariachi band, to notes on community safety, to an interview with the owner of a Black woman community library. Following the films, the student filmmakers participated in a Q&A with the audience.
During the program intermission, there was a community dinner in our gallery catered by Raising Cane and Jacob Restaurant. This gave the opportunity for all students to socialize with each other and their friends and family.
TeenDocAuthors and Teen DocMakers (led by Art Jones) closed out the evening with their fabulous student films and audience conversations.
A good time was had by all, and it was especially heartwarming to welcome a number of MDC teen producer alumni as well as guests who had traveled from as far as Washington DC to attend.
Special thanks to Nelson Walker (Director of Development), Victor Sanchez (House Manager) Chrissy Griesmer (Projectionist), G Zacharia, B Lorenzo Roché, and Nia Whitmal for helping make the day run smoothly. And additional thanks to Pinkerton Foundation, The Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation, The Ralph and Fanny Ellison Charitable Trust, the Donald A. Pels Charitable Trust, and The Hamilton Heights Darkroom institutional support of our program.
