The Flint Youth Film Festival seeks to develop literacy and communication skills of students from ages 13-25 in preparation for college and careers through their work as filmmakers. Filmmaking takes them through the creative process of developing a plot and writing a script. It also takes them through the science of capturing sound or creating it; of lighting a set; and of manipulating camera lenses to capture digitally what the director sees in his or her mind. Finally, filmmaking is a collaborative project that throws young people into brainstorming, creative, and problem-solving situations where social skills are developed and strengthened. Here, they are learning through an art they love: filmmaking. They hear their own voices and see their stories expressed to audiences.