The community cinema project stemmed out of BAYCAT’s 20 week digital media internship program which culminates in the production of a short film. Since the program began in Spring of 2009 our talented interns have completed three short films, all of which use the language of filmmaking to tell stories about the issues effecting the local community.
One of the guiding principles of the program is cultivating creative ingenuity through improvisation and problem solving. In creating these films our talented cast and crew have built camera rigs, improvised lighting, scouted locations, dressed sets, and enlisted the help of local residents to create independent films with high quality storytelling and production values.
BAYCAT sees the unbelievable potential in applying these principles in our community of BVHP. It is a form of artistic engagement that touches every strata of the community because everyone can participate!
Please contact us if you are interested in supporting the Community Cinema program with a contribution of funds, resources or talents.
Email contact for Community Cinema Program
The Last Shot (February 2010)
Shot over a period of just two days, The Last Shot challenged BAYCAT interns to tell a story of love, creativity, conflict and life's fragility in a space of just a few minutes.
Watch Video Online
The Grind (August 2009)
The Grind follows the parallel lives of Kilo and his estranged son Ricky, both navigating life in San Francisco’s Bayview Hunter’s Point neighborhood. Kilo takes care of his infant son while coping with poverty and the harsh reality of street life. Struggling with a lifetime of regrets, he learns that Ricky is heading down the same path while each try to maintain a stable family structure.
Film Website
The Point (March 2009)
The first film created through BAYCAT's studio internship program, The Point follows two pre-teen friends, Dante Williams and Malik James' journey of producing “block-witness news,” a news show that highlights the overlooked aspects of their block and the people they love. In the midst of urban blight and environmental hazard, Dante navigates through the obstacles within his world to perfect his art of storytelling, until tragedy strikes close to home and forces him to confront forces much larger than him.
Film Website
Get Involved...
...in the story development process.
If you have a story on/about BVHP or a character from the community.
...as actors.
There is an abundance of performance talent that is just waiting for the spotlight.
...as crew.
Many are inspired to become filmmakers themselves and have never worked on a professional set.
...by donating a location.
The Bayview has the most vivid and dynamic locations in the city of San Francisco waiting to be photographed.
...as exhibitors/distributors.
If you want to host a screening or sell the DVD, the film belongs to the community.
Please contact us for more information about how to get involved.
