About
The “Making Movies that Matter” (MMTM) Youth Short Film Festival continues to be a cornerstone of Councilmember John Lee’s arts education initiatives. Each year, we invite schools and organizations to participate in this unique, cost-free opportunity, driven by a dynamic collaboration between our office, talented artists-in-residence (AIR), and partners like the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the Valley Relics Museum.
Building on the festival’s growth since 2016, this year’s program—which began in September 2025 and concluded on May 14, 2026—proved to be our most successful yet. Key highlights from the recent festival include:
- Massive Attendance: Our red-carpet celebration at the Soraya Performing Arts Center (CSUN) hosted a standing-room-only crowd of 1,700 attendees.
- Record Participation: We celebrated 700 student filmmakers who submitted a record-breaking 240 films.
- Student Impact: Participants were introduced to digital storytelling through critical mentoring and technical support, ensuring high program efficacy.
The success of the 2025–26 cycle once again demonstrated that when we provide the platform, our students’ creativity knows no bounds.
MMTM to Date
Over 1,200
Short
Films
Over 6000
Student Filmmakers
Over 300
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 by 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.
