November 30th 2024.
The Ghetto Film School, also known as GFS, is not your average school. While most teenagers are enjoying their weekends, these students are eager to learn and hone their skills in storytelling. Located in East London, this non-profit organization provides training and education for young people between the ages of 16 and 19 who are interested in pursuing a career in the film, TV, radio, or entertainment industry. What sets GFS apart is their focus on underrepresented voices, with a particular emphasis on ethnic minorities. In an industry where these groups make up less than 5% of the workforce, GFS strives to create opportunities for these talented individuals.
But it's not just about Saturdays and school holidays for these students. Many of them are also juggling their GFS training with sixth form college, university, or work. One such student is Hannah Adan, a 20-year-old aspiring filmmaker from Croydon. Despite her busy schedule, Hannah dedicates her Saturdays to GFS and is currently in her second year of training. She first discovered the school while in sixth form, and it felt like the perfect opportunity for her to pursue her dream of working in the film industry. It all started when she watched the Disney Channel's Sonny With a Chance, a show that portrays a group of teens working on a sketch comedy. The creativity and fun behind the scenes inspired her, and she hasn't looked back since.
For Hannah, balancing her GFS training, university assignments, and social life can be challenging, but she has no regrets. She believes that without GFS, it would have been much harder for her to break into the competitive film industry. Her parents, who are not involved in the arts, have been supportive of her passion for filmmaking. She also credits Love Island host Maya Jama and internet personality Chunkz for helping to change the negative stereotype of Somalis in the media. By showcasing a different side of the community, they have given Hannah and others like her hope that they can make a mark in the industry.
The founder of Goldfinch Entertainment, Kirsty Bell, acknowledges that the film industry has made progress towards inclusivity in recent years, but there are still significant barriers based on race, sexuality, gender, class, age, and neurodivergence. She believes that the lack of representation in leadership roles perpetuates the cycle of exclusion, making it difficult for aspiring filmmakers to see themselves in the industry. Eloise Skinner, an ambassador for Career Ready UK, a social mobility charity, agrees that certain groups, such as ethnic minorities and women, face challenges in breaking the glass ceiling in the film industry. She also points out that the unstructured career path in the arts can make it harder for these individuals to make connections and advance in their careers.
This is where GFS comes in. The school not only provides training and education, but it also helps its students establish connections in the industry. Rachel Akinola, a 22-year-old graduate of GFS, can attest to this. As a child, she would write her own scripts and was a fan of Pan's Labyrinth and Prison Break. When she was 15, she realized her passion for film and decided to pursue it as a career. However, her school focused more on academia, and she had to find her own way to make her dream a reality. But with the help of GFS, she was able to gain the skills and connections necessary to enter the industry.
The Ghetto Film School aims to develop the next generation of great storytellers, and it's clear that they are making a difference. By providing opportunities for underrepresented voices and helping students build connections in the industry, GFS is breaking barriers and paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive film industry. With their help, talented individuals like Hannah and Rachel can make their mark on the big screen and inspire others to do the same.
On any given Saturday morning, the halls of an East London school are filled with a group of teenagers eager to learn. But it's not just any typical school day - it's a Saturday, and these students are sacrificing their free time to pursue their love for the arts. Despite the long week of classes and work that has just ended, their passion for filmmaking drives them to continue learning and honing their skills.
What makes this scene even more remarkable is the diversity within this group of aspiring filmmakers. In an industry where ethnic minorities are underrepresented, these young minds are working hard to break barriers and pave the way for underrepresented voices. This is all made possible by Ghetto Film School, a non-profit organization founded in New York in 2000 and now with branches in Los Angeles and London. Their mission is to provide training and education in storytelling for 16-19 year olds who dream of working in the film, TV, radio, and entertainment industries.
The students at Ghetto Film School not only attend classes on Saturdays, but also during school holidays, often balancing their studies with sixth form college, university, or work. One such student is Hannah Adan, a 20-year-old from Croydon who is pursuing a degree in International Relations while also participating in GFS. Her passion for filmmaking began at a young age, inspired by the Disney Channel show Sonny With a Chance. Now, she spends her Saturdays at GFS, determined to make her mark in the industry.
Another student, Rachel Akinola, also had a passion for filmmaking as a child. Despite her school focusing on academic pursuits, Rachel refused to let go of her dream and pursued it through GFS. Now, she is working in the industry and utilizing the connections she made through the program.
But it's not just about individual success - these students are also driven by the desire to change the representation of their communities in the media. As a Somali descent, Hannah is inspired by Love Island host Maya Jama and internet personality Chunkz, who are helping to showcase the positive side of Somali culture. And Kirsty Bell, founder of Goldfinch Entertainment, acknowledges the barriers that still exist for underrepresented groups in the industry.
The lack of diversity in leadership roles and the unstructured career path in the creative industry can make it difficult for certain groups to break the glass ceiling. But Ghetto Film School is working to change that by providing opportunities and connections for young filmmakers. As Eloise Skinner, an ambassador for UK's social mobility charity, Career Ready UK, explains, the arts industry can have more social mobility challenges compared to other industries.
Despite these challenges, the passionate and determined students at GFS continue to work towards their dreams, fueled by the support of their families and the opportunities provided by the program. With their drive, talent, and the guidance of Ghetto Film School, they are sure to make their mark on the big screen in the years to come.
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