Youth on BLM

The Black Lives Matter Protest has been going on for years, and recently today's youth are some of the most involved participants. Youth on BLM interviews 6 high school age girls on The Black Lives Matter movement, providing a young perspective on what BLM is, what it's trying to achieve, and how one can help. This film was completely was created in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic and footage was created entirely through video calls and shared home media.

  • Ayana Ahuja
    Director
  • Ayana Ahuja
    Writer
  • Ayana Ahuja
    Producer
  • Ayana Ahuja
    Editor
  • Ana Gray
    Key Cast
  • Nika Sabouri
    Key Cast
  • Tarina Ahuja
    Key Cast
  • Natania Markos
    Key Cast
  • Catherine Ndumbalo
    Key Cast
  • Jessica Newberg
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 28 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 31, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - The Madeira School
  • Urban Mediamakers Festival
    Lilburn, Georgia
    United States
    October 11, 2021
    Award Winner - Best Documentary Short
  • San BSBVC International Student Film Festival
    San Bernardino, California
    United States
    August 4, 2021
    Grand Jury Award Nominee, Best Documentary Nominee, Best Screenplay Nominee
  • Student Los Angeles Film Awards
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    May 27, 2022
    Semi-Finalist
  • Cinema Sisters International Film Festival
    Wilmington, North Carolina
    United States
    June 11, 2021
    Official Selection
  • All-American High School Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    Official Selection
  • UPTILT Film Festival
    Wilmington, NC
    United States
    June 11, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Golden Lions Awards Student Film Festival
    Liberty Township, Ohio
    United States
    June 26, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Virginia Emerging Filmmakers Festival
    Winchester, Virginia
    United States
    October 1, 2021
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Ayana Ahuja

Ayana Ahuja received her first access to imovie at age six. From then on she filmed everything she could from home movies, trailers, game shows; all she did from then on was film. At six years old Ayana also created her own production studio, "Punch Panda Studios", that she still uses.

Ayana is 15 and working on multiple short films and scripts. She has previously created "Pressure" an experimental that uses cinematography to mimic music, and "Express Your Voice", a PSA to show other girls that they can advocate their causes through their passions. Ayana has also attended the Imagination Stage Filmmaking Academy and New York Film Academy's Summer Film Program.

Ayana is an advocate for women in film through writing, social media, and her own films that she hopes will inspire and further women in the film world. Her biggest inspirations are Ava DuVernay, Mira Nair, and Greta Gerwig. Ayana hopes you enjoy and are inspired by her films as she hopes to eventually go into the film industry!

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

In my film Youth on BLM, I am aiming to give a youth perspective on The Black Lives Matter Protest. As I interview these 6 teenage girls, I hope the audience learns a little about the context of BLM, why today's youth is fighting for it, and what they can do to help. I've worked on this film for many months, going through 10+ hours of footage and interviews. I created it entirely through virtual video calls and shared footage to attempt to do my part in the BLM movement while also staying safe in the pandemic. I am not black but I love filmmaking and I wanted to capture this moment in time of one of largest social justice movements in history, and I hope everyone no matter their opinion can take something away from this film.