Young Gun Victims on Violence

Point Blank is the name of a 10 minute documentary created this summer with help of two youth victims of gun violence. Khadij Davis and Darnell Monroe came to our program looking for a summer job and were surprised to find that their project involved learning filmmaking skills and narrating their own stories. Our two wonderful Leaders Corps members and seasoned media makers, Aaron Kennedy and Earla Joseph, facilitated the training, planning and shooting of the film. Although challenged by the needs of the youth they worked with and the delicate subject at hand, they were able to bring to life a project that delivers a piercing portrayal of violence in Philadelphia, especially among African American young men.

The UCCP has a deep commitment to helping young people address the topic of youth violence, an issue that affects many of our participants and Leaders Corps members. In the past we have hosted a forum for youth organizations to brainstorm ideas on forming a citywide peace campaign, supported a group of participants named Youth Action 4 Peace in creating a scholarship as a way to promote positive opportunities for inner city youth, run a series of workshops that culminated in a youth-led Peace Mini Conference and produced numerous media projects including PSAs, narrative films and documentaries exploring the issue. This was our first time working with gun shot victims. The project was possible with the ideas and support of Scott Charles from Temple University Hospital and Professor Maria Kefalas of St. Joseph’s University.

For screening requests, please contact Natalia at nsmirnov@temple.edu.