Experiencing Interruptions?

Lost Boys of Portlandia

Homeless youth in Portland, OR, debate if and how to return to mainstream society while creating their own film version of the iconic story of Peter Pan.

  • Nili Yosha
    Director
  • Frances Geballe
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    23 minutes 48 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 7, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    76,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    HDV
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Lost Boys of Portlandia
    Portland, OR
    United States
    June 7, 2016
    Portland Premiere
Director Biography - Nili Yosha

Nili Yosha believes the best way to change the world and have a good time is by making movies. She is the daughter of critically acclaimed independent Israeli filmmaker, Yaky Yosha. She recently founded Outside the Frame, an organization that makes films with homeless and marginalized youth, based in Portland, OR.

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Director Statement

“On its surface, it’s a film about the making of a film, but the backdrop is flooded with one of Portland’s most pressing social issues.” -KGW-TV

Broke and unemployed, I stumbled upon a temporary position at an organization that helps homeless youth in Portland, OR.

Like every substitute teacher, I brought in a movie. Surprisingly, it sparked a debate on whether they should, would or could rejoin mainstream society. The movie was Peter Pan.

The discussion turned to writing, storyboarding, and filming, all while navigating doubts and other volatile emotions. Armed only with basic filming equipment, Portland’s own lost boys and girls dug deep into their pasts and uncertain futures to retell the timeless tale, giving it a voice uniquely their own.

This is a glimpse into the everyday struggles and realities of Portland’s homeless youth, and the resilience, wisdom and hope that emerges when a shunned group tells its own story.

After making this film, I founded Outside the Frame, teaching filmmaking and giving the public an opportunity to hear what homeless youth have to say for themselves.