The Academy of Cinematic Arts is an arts/education nonprofit that is committed to helping students discover their stories through filmmaking, acting, and screenwriting by providing youth with educational programs, competitions, award recognition, and a sense of community.

Our mission is to educate youth ages 8-19 in the cinematic arts, empowering them to contribute to and effect change in a world where moving images have the potential to change lives. We enable them to:

• Experience cinematic art programs not offered in their schools.
• Receive filmmaking, acting, and screenwriting not offered elsewhere in the community.
• Compete with filmmakers across the Midwest through our student film festival.
• Collaborate with local student filmmakers through our 72 Hour film competition.
• Be part of a local community with other youth who share their passion for the arts, filmmaking, and movies.

The Academy provides a safe space, a third place between home and school, where students can build community, encounter positive adult influences, and develop creative and artistic skills. Every student has a story, and our goal is to empower them to tell it.