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.
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Ayana AhujaDirector
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Ayana AhujaWriter
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Ayana AhujaProducer
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Ayana AhujaEditor
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Ana GrayKey Cast
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Nika SabouriKey Cast
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Tarina AhujaKey Cast
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Natania MarkosKey Cast
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Catherine NdumbaloKey Cast
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Jessica NewbergKey Cast
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Project Type:Documentary, Short, Student
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Runtime:14 minutes 28 seconds
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Completion Date:January 31, 2021
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Production Budget:0 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:Yes - The Madeira School
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Urban Mediamakers FestivalLilburn, Georgia
United States
October 11, 2021
Award Winner - Best Documentary Short -
San BSBVC International Student Film FestivalSan Bernardino, California
United States
August 4, 2021
Grand Jury Award Nominee, Best Documentary Nominee, Best Screenplay Nominee -
Student Los Angeles Film AwardsLos Angeles, California
United States
May 27, 2022
Semi-Finalist -
Cinema Sisters International Film FestivalWilmington, North Carolina
United States
June 11, 2021
Official Selection -
All-American High School Film FestivalNew York
United States
Official Selection -
UPTILT Film FestivalWilmington, NC
United States
June 11, 2022
Official Selection -
Golden Lions Awards Student Film FestivalLiberty Township, Ohio
United States
June 26, 2022
Official Selection -
Virginia Emerging Filmmakers FestivalWinchester, Virginia
United States
October 1, 2021
Official Selection
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!
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.