SUMMERFILM – CAFILM Education

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MORE THAN A SUMMER FILM CAMP

Join us this summer for a series of immersive workshops that explore multiple pathways into the film and festival industries. Our programs are designed to demystify the process, offering professional-level training through interactive, supportive, and genuinely fun experiences.

SUMMERFILM REGISTRATION OPENS SOON!
CAFILM MEMBER EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 28
GENERAL REGISTRATION OPENS FEBRUARY 4

WORKSHOPS START IN JULY!

Through hands-on workshops, students learn the art and craft of storytelling for the screen while building collaboration skills, creative confidence, and real-world production experience. Working alongside professional filmmakers, participants write, shoot, and edit original work they can proudly add to a film reel or resume.

Beyond the classroom, SummerFilm students are welcomed into CAFILM’s year-round cinema-loving community. Participants receive Mill Valley Film Festival Badges and are extended opportunities to attend special screenings and events at both the festival and at the Smith Rafael Film Center throughout the year. Recent highlights have included the Spike Lee Tribute at the Mill Valley Film Festival and a special screening of Wicked: For Good with Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, and director Jon M. Chu.

Whether students begin as pre-teens making their first short films, advance into pre-college vocational training, or simply want to explore and create, SummerFilm meets them where they are.

QUESTIONS?

CHECK OUT THE SUMMERFILM FAQ

APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

SUMMERFILM 2026 SESSIONS

IN-PERSON CAMPS take place at the Christopher B. Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael.
ONLINE CAMPS are hosted on Zoom and open to students anywhere in the U.S. Full and partial need-based scholarships are available for all programs.

DOCUMENTARY FILM PRODUCTION FOR TEENS

IN-PERSON | JULY 6-10 • 10:00AM-4:00PM | GRADES 9-12

$1000 MEMBERS | $1100 NON-MEMBERS

This five-day program invites teens to tell real stories that matter to them.

Students will develop and produce short nonfiction films centered on a theme of their choosing, learning from professional documentarians while exploring the evolving landscape of storytelling. Through hands-on collaboration, students gain practical skills in interviewing, visual storytelling, structure, and point of view, while discovering how nonfiction film can amplify voices, spark curiosity, and reflect the world as they see it.

This course is designed not only for aspiring filmmakers, but also for any student interested in storytelling, media, journalism, social issues, or creative expression. No prior filmmaking experience required, just a curiosity about the world and a desire to tell meaningful stories.

NARRATIVE FILM PRODUCTION FOR TWEENS

IN-PERSON | JULY 13-17 • 10:00AM-4:00PM | GRADES 6-8

$1000 MEMBERS | $1100 NON-MEMBERS

This five-day program invites tweens to imagine, create, and bring their own stories to life on screen.

Students will collaborate in small groups to write, shoot, and edit a short narrative film, learning the fundamentals of cinematic storytelling along the way. Guided by professional filmmakers, participants explore screenwriting, cinematography, sound, directing, and editing—while developing confidence, creative problem-solving skills, and an understanding of how stories are built from idea to finished film.

This course is ideal for curious beginners and students with some experience who want to deepen their skills in a supportive, playful, and collaborative environment. No prior filmmaking experience is required, just imagination and a willingness to create together.

YOUTH IN INDUSTRY LAB

ONLINE | WEDNESDAYS, JULY 8-29 • 10:00AM-4:00PM | GRADES 9-12

 $500 MEMBERS | $600 NON-MEMBERS

This five-day program invites tweens to imagine, create, and bring their own stories to life on screen.

Students will collaborate in small groups to write, shoot, and edit a short narrative film, learning the fundamentals of cinematic storytelling along the way. Guided by professional filmmakers, participants explore screenwriting, cinematography, sound, directing, and editing—while developing confidence, creative problem-solving skills, and an understanding of how stories are built from idea to finished film.

This course is ideal for curious beginners and students with some experience who want to deepen their skills in a supportive, playful, and collaborative environment. No prior filmmaking experience is required, just imagination and a willingness to create together. Students who complete the Youth in Industry Lab will receive a Certificate in Creative Media & Industry Pathways, recognizing their exploration and understanding of professional media practices.

YOUNG CURATORS

ONLINE | FRIDAYS, JULY 10-31 • 10:00AM-12:00PM | GRADES 9-12

FREE • APPLY BELOW
(Participation limited to two years per student)

Ever wonder how movies get chosen for the Mill Valley Film Festival? This four-week online program invites teens to experience film from the perspective of the curator.

Students will learn how film festivals work and how programmers decide which films audiences get to see. Guided by festival and arthouse cinema programmers, participants will watch dozens of short films from around the world, engage in thoughtful discussion, and collaborate as a jury to curate the youth-produced shorts program presented during the Mill Valley Film Festival.

This course is perfect for students who love watching movies, thinking critically, and sharing opinions. No prior filmmaking experience is required, just curiosity, an open mind, and a love of cinema.

YOUNG CURATORS PARTICIPATION POLICY

To ensure equitable access to this free and highly sought-after program, students may participate in Young Curators a maximum of two (2) times.

Students who have already completed the program twice may still apply, but will be placed on a waitlist.
Waitlisted returning students may be offered a spot only if space becomes available after the enrollment deadline.
Priority will be given to first-time and second-time participants.

We appreciate the enthusiasm of our returning students and thank you for helping us keep Young Curators accessible to as many youth as possible.

SUMMERFILM 2025 FILMS