WHAT IS FILM CAMP?
Bham Film Camp is a five-day summer program in Birmingham where high school students dive into the world of filmmaking. Campers explore the fundamentals of storytelling, lighting, camera work, and editing under the mentorship of local professional filmmakers. Working in small groups, campers create short films, building creative confidence, teamwork skills, and lasting friendships along the way. By the end of the week, campers get to premiere their films for family, friends, and the public, celebrating their hard work and creativity.
Learn more:
https://www.bhamfilmcamp.com/ WHY WE NEED FILM CAMP
The film industry is notoriously difficult to enter, shaped by structural gatekeeping, financial barriers, and a lack of clear, equitable pathways into careers. Informal networks, unpaid labor, and high upfront costs often favor privilege over potential, excluding many talented and first-generation creatives before their voices can fully emerge. Without access to mentorship or transparent guidance, long-term growth and sustainability in the field remain out of reach for many aspiring filmmakers.
Bham Film Camp exists to remove these barriers by providing young people with access to professional tools, mentorship from working filmmakers, and a supportive creative community.
FILM CAMP EXISTS WITH YOUR HELP
Film Camp relies on community financial support to provide a transformative experience for high school students. Donations help cover the real costs of running Bham Film Camp, including meals and snacks for campers, professional filmmaking equipment and software, space and production expenses, and administration fees. This support makes the camp possible and ensures it remains accessible to our community while creating lasting impact for the next generation of storytellers. (Please email us if you would like to see a full budget breakdown.)
WHO ARE WE?
Varina Shaughnessy, Camp Director.Varina is a Birmingham native and creative producer and filmmaker now based in Portland, Oregon. She works as a Creative Producer at Fujifilm North America, developing campaigns and stories with creators across the industry.
www.varinacreative.com Rachael Porter, Assistant Director
Rachael is an award-winning director and director of photography known for emotionally grounded, story-driven films that center on people and connection and documentary intimacy with cinematic craft across commercial, narrative, and branded projects.
https://rporterfilms.com/