About
At the beginning of every new academic year, Councilmember John Lee invites interested schools and organizations to submit proposals for their students to participate in a unique cost-free arts education opportunity called the “Making Movies that Matter (MMTM)” Youth Short Film Festival which features a unique artist-in-residence (AIR) program. This experience is driven by a dynamic collaboration between Councilmember Lee, our talented team of artists-in-residence (AIR) and several committed community partners such as the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the Valley Relics Museum.
Building on the success of the project from 2016-18 and the return of the MMTM project from 2022-26, the film festival continues to grow and expand. This year’s iteration, which began in September 2025 and culminated on May 14th, 2026, built upon the success and efficacy of previous festivals and one again, proved the adage, “if you build it, they will come”.
This year’s juried competition and red carpet celebration at the Soraya Performing Arts Center on the campus of Cal State University, Northridge (CSUN), took place in front of a standing room-only crowd of 1,700 attendees. They enjoyed the collective accomplishments and creativity of our 700 student filmmakers and their 240 submitted films – the most ever for the MMTM. Through the MMTM project, students were introduced to the art of digital storytelling and provided critical mentoring and technical support to ensure program efficacy and success.
MMTM to Date
Over 1,000
Short
Films
Over 5000
Student Filmmakers
Over 200
Sponsored
Schools
our mission
Grow Their Creative Confidence
MMTM is open to all K-16 students within CD12 and the West San Fernando Valley. CD12 Communities Include: Chatsworth / Porter Ranch / Northridge / North Hills / West Hills / Granada Hills and Sherwood Forest. In addition, K-12 public and private schools outside CD12 boundaries who are interested in submitting films can do so as an independent entry.
The goal of MMTM is to inspire students to identify issues and topics that resonate with them and to have their passion manifest itself in films that affect people and hopefully make a difference in the world around them.
Creative Change-Making Ideas
There is no question that changing the world is a daunting task. The truth is, youth are often an untapped resource for creative thinking and change-making ideas. When these young change-agents have the support they need in every phase of the creative process, we may be surprised with what they can accomplish—on their campuses, in their communities, and beyond.
INSPIRED BY THE SPIRIT OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Launched in 2016 amidst the social, political and cultural tumult of those times, the primary goal of the MMTM project was to be the spark that ignites a passion in our young filmmakers and propels them on a trajectory of purpose and calling beyond what they could have imagined — a cause bigger than themselves.
