CUSD

There’s something special happening in The Compton Unified School District — It’s a sharing of storytelling, opportunity, and supporting a new generation of creatives ready to make their mark.

Launched in January 2025, the Compton Filmmaker Initiative is a bold new collaboration between Slamdance—the fiercely independent, artist-run film organization—and the award winning Compton Unified School District. Together, we’re creating a space where students can not only learn the art of filmmaking but also experience the industry from the inside. The goal? To uplift, educate, transfer skills and connect young voices in Compton Unified School District with real opportunities in the world of film.

Here’s what we’ve been up to:

Imagine sitting in your high school classroom and having a working film director, editor, caterer, or costume designer walk in to talk shop. That’s exactly what’s happening. Slamdance has teamed up with Compton Unified’s media arts teachers to bring real industry professionals— our own Slamdance alumni—into the classroom. These aren’t just guest lectures. They’re conversations that demystify the world of film and show students the range of careers it offers, from the director’s chair to the production assistant.

Managed by Rose Gonzalez, CUSD’s Senior Director of CTE and Partnerships and Slamdance’s Peter Baxter, the sessions feature both “above the line” and “below the line” professionals, giving students a full picture of how films actually get made.

As part of the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival in partnership with ARRAY Education, students joined the team as paid interns. They rotated in daily groups, working hands-on with the festival production team, meeting filmmakers, attending screenings, and experiencing the energy of a major indie film event. They experienced the real-world day to day workings of a festival that hosted sold out screenings and thousands of audience members.

What’s filmmaking without a premiere? Thanks to USC School of Cinematic Arts, on May 7 semester culminated with a student film showcase at one of the most respected film schools in the country. Students screened their short films, formed their own Q&As, and toured the college campus. It was a celebration of their creative work—and their future.

At its core, this initiative is about access. About opening doors and  giving young people in Compton Unified the tools—and the belief—that they will be part of the next generation of creators, leaders, and innovators in our film industry.

The early response has been inspiring. Many working filmmakers are eagerly saying “yes” to classroom visits, and excitement is building for the semesters ahead. This is just the beginning of what we hope will grow into a long-term movement—a thriving, authentic filmmaking community rooted right here in L.A. 

If you are a filmmaker, whether a Slamdance alumni or not, and are interested in joining our initiative as a guest speaker please contact [email protected].    

The filmmakers of Compton Unified aren’t just the future of cinema. They’re the present—and we can’t wait to see what they create.