School News Network: Young filmmakers capture the story and legacy of West Michigan nonprofit leaders
Mosaic Film Experience summer program students and their film industry mentors prepare a set to film interviews with local nonprofit leaders
In a West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology classroom, future sound engineers, directors and photographers moved like a well-oiled machine alongside film industry mentors, transforming the space into a film set.
They set up lights, cameras and audio equipment, took notes and documented behind-the-scenes content for the day’s coming video shoot.
“All right, we have less than an hour until filming starts. Everyone grab your cameras and tripods,” directed filmmaker Mallory Patterson, Mosaic Film Experience education lead.
The young filmmakers, 11 students from Grand Rapids, Kentwood and East Grand Rapids public schools, were taking part in the six-week Mosaic Film Experience summer program, in which they were tasked with creating a digital media project that tells a story about their community.
The story they chose showcases leaders involved in local altruistic efforts — from feeding students to bringing coding opportunities to youth in underrepresented communities. Titled “Living Histories,” it documents the stories of six West Michigan nonprofit leaders from STEM Greenhouse, The Delta Project, Kids’ Food Basket, Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities, Ebony Road Players and Code on Wheels.
Read the full article here: https://www.schoolnewsnetwork.org/2026/08/13/young-filmmakers-capture-the-story-and-legacy-of-west-michigan-nonprofit-leaders/