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About US
We equip diverse voices with the skills, tools, and platforms to tell their stories through film.
OUR MISSION
The 5 Shorts Project is committed to empowering diverse voices in filmmaking by providing hands-on training, mentorship, and opportunities to showcase impactful stories. We believe in the power of film as a tool for advocacy, healing, and community transformation, ensuring that underrepresented creators have a platform to share their narratives with the world.
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Independent Films Produced
OUR HISTORY
The 5 Shorts Project was founded in 2014 by Shameka Sawyer, an award-winning African American filmmaker, dedicated to empowering underrepresented voices in film. Under her leadership, the initiative has provided aspiring filmmakers with the resources, mentorship, and platform needed to tell powerful stories. Since its inception, the program has empowered over 100 emerging filmmakers, hosted sold-out red carpet premieres, and produced impactful films that highlight diverse narratives. Our dedication to storytelling and community impact has earned us multiple awards, including recognition from the Independence Public Media Foundation, the Penn Community Scholars Pitch Competition, and other esteemed organizations. Through creativity and advocacy, we continue to shape the future of independent filmmaking in Philadelphia.
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Filmmaking is more than storytelling; it’s a powerful tool for healing, advocacy, and change. At 5 Shorts Project, we empower voices that deserve to be heard and stories that need to be told.”
Shameka Sawyer
Founder, 5 Shorts Project