Julia Stiles went back to High School, but it wasn’t to attend her own prom or a sequel to “10 Things I Hate About You.” She was supporting the Ghetto Film School students at their Annual Spring Benefit at the Standard Biergarten. She said some of their short films are impressive and they’re very talented, “I wish there had been something like Ghetto Film School around when I was in high school because I would have loved to make movies and have access to equipment at their age.”
The Ghetto Film School (GFS) is the first of its kind, offering a film education to high school students in the South Bronx. Founded in 2000 by Joe Hall, more than 1000 students have taken advantage of the production facilities and cinema studies courses.
The actress found out about the film school through director David O. Russell who is part of the Board of Directors and was nominated for an Academy Award for his latest two films “Silver Linings Playbook” and “The Fighter” – and she immediately wanted to get more involved. Stiles spoke to the senior class before they made their short films and also participated in the film jury. “Arts education is really important,” she said.
“Precious” director Lee Daniels is also in the faculty, and was happy to reunite with his students. He talked about his upcoming film “The Butler” in theaters this August, “it’s a father and son story about the civil rights movement.” The film stars Forest Whitaker, Lenny Kravitz and John Cusack and tells the story of White House’s head butler from 1952 to 1986, and discusses political and racial issues.
Some other filmmakers and big names in the industry that are involved in the school include Mark Wahlberg, Edward Burns, Wes Anderson, Jim Jarmusch and Spike Jonze. Greg D’Alba the GFS Chairman said, “Not only are they teaching, working and supporting our program, but they are hiring our students for their film projects.”
The GFS celebrated their first graduation class with 100% of the students graduating, magnificent test scores and all going to colleges, which is a huge achievement for the school that started as a project for diversification of education.
By Julia Melim
