Program Info

The Factory is BAVC's advanced video production collective for motivated youth, ages 15-19, in the Oakland Bay Area. In this collaborative program, Factory Producers create professional-quality short films, music videos, and public service announcements. The program emphasizes creative and political expression through a strong visual style. Participants develop their skills as videographer, director, and editor. Youth are encouraged to explore issues important to them through fiction, documentary, and video art. Completed projects are distributed to film festivals, contests, and for broadcast.

Factory-produced videos have screened at over fifty festivals internationally, including the Hamptons International Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival, and the Media That Matters Film Festival.

Our work has also been broadcast on KQED, KDOL, Access SF, and Manhattan News Network. We have won numerous awards in a variety of categories such as a Northern California Emmy Award, two Golden Gate Awards from the San Francisco International Film Festival, the Jury Award from Media That Matters, and the top prize from the National Coalition Against Censorship.

Participants in The Factory also travel nationally to film festivals and youth media conferences. Recently, Factory youth have attended the Sundance Film Festival, the Youth Media Alliance in Detroit, and the Seattle Superfly youth filmmaking camp.

This free, year-round, program meets in downtown Oakland from 4pm-7pm, Monday through Friday, during the school year.

The Factory is currently accepting applications from interested Bay Area youth.

For more information, contact Factory Manager Jason Jakaitis.

Download an application to The Factory.

To keep updated on Factory activities including screenings, events and latest news, please sign up for the Factory mailing list here >