why we do this work

We offer a creative outlet, job skills, an audience and a sense of dignity and possibility through filmmaking. Because if youth experiencing homelessness can make films, they can do anything. 

We believe that to thrive, young people need more than their basic needs met. We believe that homeless youth are our most underestimated citizens. We offer a model educational and vocational program, where young people create films about issues that matter to them and share them with the public. 

BIPOC, LGBTQ+ youth, and people with disabilities are over-represented in the homeless youth community proportional to their representation in the general population. Our program participants are 16-26 years old and most have experienced homelessness or housing insecurity. In our most recent survey, 80% identified as LGBTQ+, 77% as BIPOC and 54% as having a disability. Many fled abuse, neglect, addiction and poverty. All are trying to rebuild their lives.

Outside the Frame serves 125 individuals ages 16-30 each year through the following programs:

  • Our core program, where participants are exposed to all aspects of production and create films about issues that matter to them. Offered quarterly.

  • Training on and access to professional film equipment, mentorship, individualized career and project support. Two sessions a week for youth 18-26 experiencing housing instability.

    Click here for more information.

  • Interactive screenings facilitated by the filmmakers. Our films have reached thousands of audience members, in venues ranging from prison to to city hall, youth groups to academia, indie cinemas to international art shows.

    Schedule a screening

  • Peer Mentors are an essential link between youth participants and our programming, using their filmmaking skills and lived experience with houselessness to support OTF filmmakers. They are responsible for youth recruitment, weekly program co-facilitation and 1-on-1 creative support.

  • Identifying, training and placing people typically excluded from the film industry on professional film sets. Up to age 30.

  • We produce films that align with our mission and values. We have produced films for local and regional governments, universities, museums, and various non-profits. We hire program participants on all projects, providing on the job training alongside professionals.

    Click here to learn more about commissioning Outside the Frame.

  • “ At Outside the Frame I felt like I was really able to give my voice and find people who related to what I had to say. As a Venezuelen immigrant there isn’t really a home that I can go back to. It’s really good to know that I have a home here, amongst these people.”

    Maria Moreno

  • “When I was homeless, I constantly felt like I was invisible and I just didn't exist. OTF was the first time that people would look at me and talk to me. And this is why it's important. There's not really many resources for telling your story and being heard and learning how to show the world who you are.

    Jacob

  • I would not be sitting here today. I don’t know what I would be doing or if I would even be alive. For someone else to take you under their wing and see that in you. It shows I do matter, I can do work. I take the job seriously. I put my whole heart into it. It’s my name.

    Makayla Caldwell

  • "Many of us here were living on the streets and now we make films. We work at OTF as instructors, mentoring youth who are in the same positions we were once in."

    Jolly Wrapper