9th Annual SDP Penn Film Program 2024
Parkway Center City Middle College
BEHIND THE LENS 11 Minutes
This short documentary captures the profound impact creative outlets have on students’ lives. At Parkway Center City Middle College, Mr. Lajoie fosters a nurturing and creative environment for artistic expression and future dreaming. Through intimate interviews with Mr. Lajoie, his students, and the Penn & PSTV community youth filmmaking teams, the documentary explores how the art room (or better yet, the 5th floor of Parkway) has become a sanctuary--a space in which youths’ self expression is encouraged, confidence is built, and imagination is celebrated. In spaces like the art room, collaboration and creation shift youth voices from the margins to the center of the school community, giving young people agency. Youth reimagine their futures in the art room, and alongside their teacher, they can dream together, making the promise of a better tomorrow more visible.
A film by
Jen Freed
Diana Lalata
Yining Lei
Jessica Sass
High School Team
Jaelyn Angon
Angelina Quintos
Courtney Ruiz-Bracey
Aliyah Washington
Parkway Center City Middle College Project Support
Robert Lajoie
Delaney Regan
Jada Martin
Dr. Anh Nguyen
Dr. Allen Wing
Philadelphia Schools TV
Shelley Wolfe
Manuel Yepez
Julian Jefferson
Penn Netter Center for Community Outreach
Anna Balfanz
Faustine Sun
Film Program Design, Oversight and Instruction
Amitanshu Das
Sam Dellert