The 4-week camp pays youth 14-19 to learn the basics of documentary film

[PRINCEVILLE, NC | MAY 2023] — Kinston native and award-winning film director Resita Cox and her team return to Princeville this summer to host their second Freedom Hill Youth Media Camp- a 4-week documentary production program connecting NC students to Princeville's Black history through conducting interviews, learning oral history skills, exploring archives and learning the basics of documentary filmmaking culminating in a short participatory documentary about Princeville’s annual Homecoming Celebration. 

From July 18 - Aug 10 2023, the team will welcome a new cohort of 8 North Carolina students ages 14-19 interested in learning more about environmental racism, history, and documentary filmmaking. Students receive stipends of up to $1000 for their participation. 

The idea was born from Cox’s experience in high school media programs and as a young Black journalist turned filmmaker. Her debut film, Freedom Hill, explores the environmental racism washing away Princeville, NC- the first town incorporated by freed, formerly enslaved Africans in America. She didn’t know about the town’s history until sent there on assignment as a young reporter covering Hurricane Matthew. 

Last year’s campers were taught theoretical grounding, unpacking the troubled history of Black people on screen, learned the craft of filmmaking from industry professionals who hosted Industry Masterclasses to share their specialized knowledge about roles and career pathways in the film industry, and were joined by Princeville Homecoming Organizers Dr. Lisa Nelson and Marquetta Dickens who shared their mission of enhancing tourism, promoting community engagement, sparking interest in the community’s historic richness, and creating a self-determined, powerful community for the future. 

This year, Freedom Hill Youth Media Camp is an official partner of Priceville Homecoming’s host organization, Freedom Org,  as this youth building component aligns with organizers mission to pour into the community and tell the stories of those who make the community so rich. 

“I believe deeply in this work, in young people leading our revolution and Black people documenting our own histories and experiences. I hope this camp, this work, adds to the legacy of Black storytellers, griots, historians, documentarians, artists, writers and praise singers.” - Resita Cox