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Contact Info
Hours:
Tues: 12 – 8 p.m.
Wed: 12 – 8 p.m.
Thur: 12 – 8 p.m.
Fri: 12 – 6 p.m.
Sat: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
🗓️ DATE
Saturday, September 6, 2025
📍 LOCATION
Maya Cinema
3090 E Campus Pointe Dr, Fresno, CA 93710
⏰ TIME
1 P.M to 3:30 P.M.
You’re Invited to the 2025 Youth Voices Showcase
Join us for the 2025 Youth Voices Documentary Film Screening, a free event celebrating the incredible talent of our local youth.
Experience 12 captivating short documentaries created by Central Valley high school students. These young filmmakers have poured their creativity into crafting powerful stories with personal and societal significance.
This screening is the grand finale of our 10-week CMAC Youth Voices program, where participants learned the art of documentary filmmaking. These young filmmakers didn’t just hit “record.” They learned how to plan, shoot, edit, and tell stories that matter. Every week, they sharpened their skills and poured their creativity into something real. And now it’s time to see their work on the big screen.
So, mark your calendars, tell your friends, and come celebrate the amazing work of our young filmmakers. Trust us – this is one show you won’t want to miss! It’s an opportunity to support and be inspired by the next generation of storytellers. See you there!
Spread the Word!
Know a teacher, mentor, youth group leader, or someone who just loves a good local event? Help us get the word out!
The Youth Voices Showcase is more than just a screening. It’s a celebration of creativity, growth, and community. These films deserve a packed house, full of people ready to cheer, snap photos, and support our young storytellers. That’s where you come in.
Here’s how you can help:
💬 Like, share, and comment
This is the easiest way to boost the showcase. Every like, share, comment, or save helps more people see our posts. Seriously. The algorithm eats it up.
📲 Repost our flyers and graphics
Toss it on your story, your feed, your group chat. Tag @cmactv so we can repost and shout you out.
📣 Talk it up IRL
Tell your coworkers, classmates, favorite barista, or cousin’s dog groomer. You never know who might love student-made documentaries.
👯 Bring a crew
Friends, family, neighbors the more the merrier!
🎉 Engage during and after the event
Post photos from the screening, tag us, and hype up your favorite films. These students worked hard and deserve some digital applause too.
Let’s turn this into a community-wide celebration. Every little bit of support counts, and showing up online and in person is a win-win. No pressure, just impact.
Sponsored by
CMAC Youth Voices 2025 is made possible by funding from The California Endowment.
Questions?
General information:
Front Desk
559.266.2622
Info@cmac.tv
Specific Program Information:
Johnny Pecina
Community Media Manager
Johnny@cmac.tv
Marketing information:
Maricela Hernandez
Outreach & Development Coordinator
Outreach@cmac.tv
Support Community Media!
Help bridge the gap and keep our important community services thriving. Your donation, whether it’s $5 or $50, directly supports media literacy initiatives that educate, equip, and empower local residents.
2025 Youth Voices
Our 2025 cohort is currently composed of high school students who began the program back in May 2025. Over the course of an intensive 10-week curriculum, participants will receive structured instruction and mentorship from Program Mentors Davie Ramirez and Litzy Espinoza. The program covers core aspects of media production, including media literacy, concept development, scriptwriting, field and audio production, editing, and post-production. Participants will produce documentary films about issues of their own choosing.
CMAC Youth Voices is made possible by funding from The California Endowment.
Ana
“Una mordida de México
(A Bite of Mexico)”
Follow a Mexican food truck that shares the amazing flavors from the Latino culture, all while showcasing how food connects communities and celebrates the rich traditions.
TAGS: Cultural Roots, Support Local, Vendor Voices
Ayleen
“Invisible in
Plain Sight”
Uncover the hidden reality of homelessness in the Central Valley and see why this urgent issue demands our attention.
TAGS: Displacement, Compassion, Survival
Carmel
“ROOTS”
Embrace your natural hair and the beauty it holds. Watch as I share my journey, highlight the CROWN Act, and show why loving your hair is a step toward loving yourself.
TAGS: Body Positivity, African-American Voices, Empowerment
Diana
“Alcohol Doesn’t Just Affect Me”
Watch how alcohol impacts more than just the person drinking. It reveals the ripple effects on families, friends, and communities, and challenges the idea that alcohol is a necessity.
TAGS: Substance Abuse, Mental Health, Family Impact, Prevention
Zoe
“Mainstream-ing:
The People’s Opinion”
Explore why movies and theaters are losing their spark and what’s at stake for your local theater and the movie-going experience we all love.
TAGS: Cinema Crisis, Filmmaking
Jeremiah
“Foster Parent’s Perspective”
Explore how foster care looks through the eyes of both a foster kid and a parent, breaking misconceptions and revealing the struggles, joys, and hope within this often misunderstood system.
TAGS: Foster Care, Child Welfare, Resilience
Mehtab
“Silent Bells”
One student highlights the crumbling system of the Fresno Unified School District and the unsafe conditions students face every day. It calls for awareness and urgent action to protect their futures.
TAGS: Public Education, Underfunded Schools, Youth Voices
Elizaie
“PAWS:
Pets at Work in Schools”
Pet therapy can boost student mental health by bringing comfort, connection, and calmness into classrooms. See how Fresno Unified could use this simple approach to support students and foster a thriving learning environment.
TAGS: Pawsitive Impact, Mental Wellness, Dogs
Jazalynda
“Reconnecting
with Nature”
When life feels overwhelming, the natural world offers a powerful escape. Learn how stepping outside can restore balance, calm the mind, and help us reconnect with ourselves.
TAGS: Awareness, Nature, Environment
Robert
“Putting the
Pieces Together”
Join me as I share my experience with autism, challenge the stereotypes, and show why people like me deserve respect, understanding, and inclusion.
TAGS: Autism Awareness, Advocacy
Mia
“Youth Civic Engagement:
It’s a Beautiful Thing”
See how teens use art and action to spark change and transform their communities. It highlights how civic engagement is shaping their mental health and futures, especially in rural areas.
TAGS: Civic Engagement, Youth Empowerment, Community
Jackallynn
“Youth Rewriting the Narrative”
Through powerful voices, this film reveals the struggles Fresno’s youth face in the juvenile system and inspires hope for a future built on real second chances.
TAGS: Second Chances, Youth at Risk
Grab your FREE tickets now and be part of an unforgettable evening celebrating the creative brilliance of our local youth.
Meet the Program Mentors
Davie Ramirez
Education Specialist
An Education Specialist at CMAC and dedicated mentor in the Youth Voices program, this mentor is passionate about storytelling and media education. They help young filmmakers develop their skills in storytelling, production, and editing. Beyond Youth Voices, they lead workshops and educational initiatives at CMAC, creating opportunities for media makers of all backgrounds. Their commitment to fostering creativity and empowerment ensures that every participant gains the confidence and tools to share their unique perspectives.
Email: Davie@cmac.tv
Phone: 559.266.2622
Litzy Espinoza
Program Mentor
A proud Youth Voices alum, this mentor brings a full-circle perspective to the program by supporting the next generation of storytellers in a new role. With firsthand experience in youth media, she offers thoughtful guidance, encouragement, and insight to participants. Her journey from student to mentor reflects a deep passion for storytelling and a strong commitment to uplifting youth voices in the community.
Timeline
About the Program
CMAC Youth Voices is a 10-week documentary filmmaking training program for Central Valley Junior High and High School students, age 18 and under.
Participants learn how to harness the power of media to tell stories of personal and societal significance through documentary filmmaking. CMAC provides young filmmakers with video production equipment, mentorship, and instruction as members of the Youth Voices cohort develop and produce their own documentary films.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Youth Voices program?
The program runs for 10 weeks. Time commitment will vary but participants should anticipate dedicating 3 – 5 hours per week to the program.
Who is eligible to participate?
Central Valley junior high and high school students, ages 18 and under.
Do students need any prior knowledge or experience in video production to apply?
No, students will gain any necessary experience during the 10-week program. All experience levels are welcomed to apply.
Do I need to have a documentary subject or topic idea ready at the time I apply?
Yes. CMAC staff and mentors can help you develop your story concept, but we highly encourage students to outline a specific idea or provide insight into a specific topic they are interested in telling a story about.
How can I use the $1,000 stipend?
The stipends will be distributed at the end of the program after you complete your film. You can use the stipend however you’d like, though it’s meant to cover your personal costs, such as transportation, etc.
How often do we meet?
Meetings will be once a week on Fridays from 4 – 6 P.M.
What if I have to miss a meeting?
Excused absences from some of the meetings are OK, but you will need to follow up with our instructors to catch up on anything you missed.