Speak for the Bronx Documentary Lab
2026–2027 Program: The Bronx River
The Speak for the Bronx Documentary Lab is a hands-on filmmaking program that gives Bronx high school students the opportunity to learn by participating in a real documentary production from pre-production through post.
For the 2026–2027 school year, three Bronx high school students ages 16–18 will join a small production team creating a short documentary about the Bronx River. The film will focus on the river today, including its ecological health, the growth of new parks and public spaces along the river, and the work of the Bronx River Alliance and others who have helped restore and protect this important Bronx resource. The film will include some historical context, but its primary focus will be on the current state of the river and the communities and public spaces surrounding it.
Learning Through Production
Rather than participating in a traditional filmmaking class, students will learn by becoming part of the documentary crew and participating in the actual production process. They will work with the film’s Director and an Associate Producer/Teaching Filmmaker through production meetings, interviews, field shoots, footage review, and post-production sessions.
Students will gain hands-on experience with:
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Documentary research and storytelling
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Camera operation and cinematography
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Location sound recording
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Preparing for and filming interviews
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Production planning and crew responsibilities
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Organizing and reviewing footage
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Editing and post-production
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Collaborative decision-making and problem solving
Because the cohort is intentionally limited to three students, each participant will have the opportunity to receive substantial individual instruction and take on meaningful responsibilities throughout the production.
No previous filmmaking experience is required. We are looking for students who are curious, dependable, interested in filmmaking, and willing to learn through active participation. There is no cost to participate.
Schedule and Commitment
Applications are due September 22, 2026. The program will run from October 2026 through June 2027. Students should expect to participate approximately 3–4 times per month, primarily during after-school hours and on occasional Saturdays or Sundays.
Because this is a real documentary production, there will not be a fixed weekly class schedule. Meeting and filming times will vary based on production needs, weather, location access, and the availability of interview subjects. Sessions will take place both on location along the Bronx River and at the TBxF studio at near 161st Street in the Bronx.
We understand that students have schoolwork, activities, jobs, and family responsibilities, and scheduling will be flexible whenever possible. At the same time, because the students will be members of a very small production crew, participants should be prepared to make a consistent commitment to the program throughout the school year, communicate about scheduling conflicts, and attend agreed-upon production activities.
Participant Stipend
Students who successfully complete the program through June 2027 will receive a $1,000 stipend in recognition of their time and commitment to the project.
The Finished Film
Students will participate in the documentary from early planning and research through production and editing, giving them the opportunity to experience how a film develops from an initial concept into a completed work.
The program will culminate in the completion of a short documentary and a public screening in the Bronx in June 2027, where participating students will be recognized as members of the film’s production team.