Past Workshops

In the summer prior to 2018, Apollo Outreach partnered with Zygote Press, Cleveland Roots, and Stone Soup Cleveland for the first Reimagining Youth Summer Media Workshop — a two-week program combining printmaking, short films, and food education. An application process for the 2015 Summer Media Workshop was previously offered through this site.

The Summer Media Workshop stands as the signature program of Apollo Outreach, bringing together middle- and high-school students for an immersive twelve-day experience in filmmaking. Across the program, participants develop critical, creative, and technical abilities while collaborating to produce their own short films. Designed for young people across the region, the workshop emphasizes storytelling through moving images and builds confidence in voices that might otherwise go unheard. Each completed film is celebrated with a public screening at the historic Apollo Theatre, marking a meaningful moment in the creative journey. Youth involved in the program gain hands-on experience with every aspect of production, from initial concept development through filming and post-production editing. Working alongside professionals and dedicated volunteers, students learn the art of motion picture creation in a supportive, collaborative environment. Communication skills, leadership abilities, and creative confidence grow in tandem as participants shape their own narratives. The workshop is staffed by faculty and partners who believe in the transformative power of media education, helping students understand how stories can change perspective and inspire community impact. The program is rooted in the belief that art and media are powerful forces for understanding, both locally and globally. By providing access to professional-grade tools and mentorship, Apollo Outreach helps young artists, citizens, and leaders emerge from backgrounds across Lorain County. Students observe, interpret, and facilitate experiences that reflect their neighborhoods and evolving perspectives. The workshop represents a reimagining of how education can nurture creativity, fostering a sense of agency and shared purpose among participants who might not otherwise access such opportunities. Beyond filmmaking, the Summer Media Workshop reflects Apollo Outreach's broader commitment to community and creative growth. The initiative connects students with industry professionals and engaged volunteers, offering exposure to various forms of visual storytelling including animation and video production. Partnerships with local organizations strengthen the program's reach and impact, while the public screenings serve as a celebration of youth voice and artistic development. Through this flagship effort, Apollo Outreach continues to support the next generation of storytellers, helping them build skills and confidence that extend far beyond the twelve-day workshop itself.

The Summer Media Workshop sits at the heart of Apollo Outreach's mission to nurture young storytellers. Over a focused twelve days, participants from middle and high school grades step into the roles of writers, directors, editors, and crew, learning how a story travels from a first idea to a finished frame. The program is built around collaboration, encouraging students to share perspectives, solve problems together, and discover how their individual voices can shape a shared vision. By the end of the workshop, each young filmmaker has produced a complete short film, ready to be celebrated on a real screen surrounded by family, friends, and the wider community, marking a powerful moment of creative accomplishment.

Beyond the cameras and editing software, the workshop emphasizes the collaborative spirit that defines Apollo Outreach. Students work in small crews, learning to listen as carefully as they lead, and to value the contributions of peers whose backgrounds and experiences differ from their own. The curriculum blends hands-on production with reflective discussions about how moving images can interpret the world, spark conversation, and drive change. Mentors and volunteers from the film industry guide each step, offering professional insight while encouraging independence and experimentation. This balance of structure and creative freedom helps participants grow not only as filmmakers but as thoughtful citizens who understand the impact of the stories they choose to tell.

The workshop also connects young participants to a broader network of creativity rooted in Oberlin and the wider Lorain County community. By partnering with local institutions, Apollo Outreach creates a supportive environment where education, art, and civic engagement meet. The final screening at the historic Apollo Theatre transforms each project into a public celebration, reinforcing the belief that youth voices deserve to be seen and heard. For many students, this experience becomes a turning point, sparking lasting interests in film, media production, and community storytelling, while building confidence, communication skills, and leadership abilities that carry forward into future studies, careers, and lives.