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 filmmakers and media artists ready to make their mark.

Launched in January 2025, the Compton Filmmaker Initiative is a bold collaboration between Slamdance, the award winning Compton Unified School District and several SoCal film schools. Together, we’re creating a space where students learn the art of filmmaking from Slamdance alumni and 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 and share their filmmaking origin story. 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 2026 Slamdance Film Festival, 21 students joined our production 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? On May 23, thanks to Chapman University, we presented the 2026 student film showcase at Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. Students screened their short films, formed their own Q&As, and toured one of the best film schools in the country. 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 belief—that they will be part of the next generation of creators, leaders, and innovators in our film industry.

Community response has been inspiring. Many working filmmakers eagerly say “yes” to classroom visits and our film school collaborations are growing. In addition to Chapman, we are also receiving support from University of Southern California, Occidental College and Loyola Marymount University. It’s Slamdance’s belief the Compton Filmmaking Initiative is one way to strengthen our filmmaking ecosystem in SoCal.

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.