René Smith Fellowship Seeks Young Media Visionaries
03/28/2025
Attention Young Media Visionaries!
Step into the Spotlight with the René Smith Fellowship
Join us in redefining the landscape of community media with the René Smith Fellowship
Are you someone who loves being creative and wants to make a difference in your community? Join us for an amazing adventure where you'll get to create cool stuff, make new friends, and help make our community better!
About the Fellowship
The René Smith Fellowship is a paid, 8-week hands-on media fellowship for emerging content creators ages 16–24, hosted by PhillyCAM. In honor of René Smith’s 20-year commitment to supporting emerging voices in independent media as Board Chair of Independence Public Media, this fellowship empowers young media creators with the skills, mentorship, and platform to amplify youth voices and address critical community issues through impactful storytelling.
Program Focus Areas
- Video Production and Editing — Learn how to film with DSLR cameras and edit using Adobe Premiere Pro.
- Storytelling for TV and Digital Platforms — Create engaging, community-centered news stories.
- Career and Freelance Skills — Showcase your work, build a personal brand, and learn how to price your services, invoice clients, and navigate freelance work.
- Community Impact — Develop projects that elevate diverse voices and spark meaningful conversations.
The Main Project
Throughout the eight weeks, fellows will produce a 7–10 minute news-style segment focused on a pre-selected youth or community issue. The project will include interviews, compelling visuals, and strong storytelling, with the final piece presented at a public showcase at PhillyCAM.
Program Structure
- Weekly hands-on training in filming, editing, storytelling, branding, and freelance business skills.
- Mentorship and peer collaboration throughout the project.
- Final showcase of completed projects for the public.
- Opportunities to build professional connections and networks that extend beyond the program.
Who Should Apply
- Young people ages 16–24
- Creators who are passionate about media, storytelling, and community engagement
- Individuals eager to grow their technical media skills and build a professional portfolio
Crafting Community Media
At the heart of the fellowship lies the power of community media. Through video production, graphic design, and social media strategy, fellows will collaborate to produce captivating content that reflects the voices and aspirations of Philadelphia's vibrant youth community.
Unleash Your Creativity
Here, creativity knows no bounds. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting your journey, the René Smith Fellowship offers a nurturing environment to hone your skills, unleash your imagination, and make.
Community Impact
As a fellow, you’ll contribute to projects that elevate diverse voices and spark important conversations. Each project is designed to showcase the power of community-centered media and youth storytelling.
Forge Lifelong Connections
This fellowship is more than just a project — it’s a chance to collaborate with like-minded peers, connect with mentors, and build professional relationships that last long beyond the program.
Key Project:
Artist Statement Video: A core project where participants will create a personal artist statement video, learning to articulate their creative process, communicate their vision, and present their work confidently — essential skills for freelancers and emerging artists.
News-Style Video Segment (7–10 minutes): Fellows will produce a segment focused on a youth or community issue, featuring interviews, dynamic visuals, and strong storytelling for PhillyCAM Voices. PhillyCAM Voices is a community news show highlighting political, cultural and civic events in Philadelphia. Airing on Monday nights at 6:30 pm on PhillyCAM.
Application Deadline
This fellowship aims to empower young individuals with a passion for media production, graphic design, and social media strategy to amplify the voices of their peers and address critical youth-related issues within the community.
The application deadline for the René Smith Fellowship is May 16, 2025. Apply now to secure your spot in this transformative program!