Annual program provides high school students with education, training in growing industry
The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Film Program has partnered with the Arkansas Cinema Society (ACS) and the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas – Girls of Promise Initiative (WFA) for the eighth annual Filmmaking Lab for Teen Girls (FL4TG). The free educational program will be held June 8-26 at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (AMFA). Space is limited, and applications are now being accepted at arkansascinemasociety.org/educational/filmmaking-lab-for-teen-girls.
“I had the opportunity to serve as a directing mentor for the lab two years ago, and I was so impressed at the passion and drive by the young women,” UCA Film Professor and FL4TG Program Director Emily Railsback said. “I’m excited to be the program director this summer, mentoring the girls who will create their own film in collaboration with professionals in the region, including UCA Film alumni.
“The girls will get time to develop their own stories, make a movie and screen the finished product at ACS’ Filmland Festival. I think how lucky my UCA film students would be if they had this educational opportunity early on to help set them up for what they want to do.”
Taking place this summer in Little Rock, the FL4TG program gives young women a chance to experience screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, production design, lighting and sound recording, as well as ask questions about careers in the male-dominated world of cinema. ACS is taking one small step to help correct this inequity of women in the film workforce by giving young women the opportunity to take on leadership roles while learning the craft of this visual art under the watchful eye of industry professionals.
The FL4TG program is free for participants, which would not be possible without the generous support of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas.
“The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas is thrilled to continue our support of the Filmmaking Lab for Teen Girls,” Anna Beth Gorman, CEO of WFA, said. “Providing young women with hands-on experience in this dynamic STEAM industry is an investment in their future as creative leaders.
“This program exemplifies our commitment to empowering women and girls through education, fostering stronger, more vibrant communities for generations to come.”
Participants will develop a short story rooted in women’s empowerment and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), followed by filming and editing the 5-minute short, which will screen during Filmland 2026 to be held Aug. 12-16 at AMFA. Past students from the Lab have had the opportunity for a private Q&A session with writer Lucy Alibar, Bert of directing duo Bert & Bertie, and award-winning actor and producer Jessica Chastain.
Additional information and past films are available at arkansascinemasociety.org/educational/filmmaking-lab-for-teen-girls.
About The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas
Since 1998, the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas’s guiding principles have been consistent – to understand the diverse needs and realities facing women and girls so we can respond through purposeful action and engaged philanthropy. An investment in women and girls is an investment in stronger families and communities. Households that are not self-sufficient create a cycle of poverty, which drains social service resources and hinders the pursuit of higher education. However, the cycle can be broken when women are educated, healthy and economically secure.
About the Arkansas Cinema Society
The Arkansas Cinema Society (ACS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing a thriving film community in Arkansas. ACS provides a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work, fosters connections among film lovers, and supports emerging and established talent throughout the state. Through festivals, screenings and educational programs, ACS aims to inspire more Arkansans to engage with and contribute to the art of filmmaking. To learn more or support ACS, visit arkansascinemasociety.org.
About the University of Central Arkansas Film Program
The University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is a four-year public university in Arkansas. UCA’s Film program offers both undergraduate (B.A.) and graduate degrees (M.F.A.). The mission of the program is to develop creators, innovators and leaders for the future of filmmaking by combining new technology with the fundamentals of storytelling to produce creative, original stories, with an eye towards emerging technologies that enhance the production, distribution and exhibition of those works in the global marketplace.