By JESS MANCINI

Staff Reporter

The DC Independent Film Forum from Washington, D.C., has expanded a program into West Virginia where it encourages young filmmakers to create.

The new Y-CAM.org is an online hub for aspiring filmmakers aged 13-19 that brings together everything in one place including event listings, workshops, internships and grants, among others.

The forum was concentrated in Maryland and Virginia around the capital, but is expanding efforts in Pennsylvania and into West Virginia, said Deirdre Evans-Pritchard, executive director of the Film Forum.

“We were getting more and more people in Maryland and Virginia, and really from Pennsylvania as well,” she said. “It was right to include West Virginia.”

Not many high schools have film courses, but youth who are interested could be independently working on films at home, Evans-Pritchard said.

“We know there are only a few high schools with film-making programs,” she said. “That doesn’t mean there aren’t people who want to do this.”

Y-CAM.org launched last week.

“We’re thrilled to be launching a digital space where aspiring teen filmmakers can connect, learn and create together,” Evans-Pritchard said. “”Y-CAM.org marks a new chapter for (the Film Forum), one that will allow us to reach and inspire more young storytellers than ever before.”

Participation is free as are applications for available grants, she said.

The Y-CAM High School Film Festival will be held March 13-15 in Washington. Participants can develop skills, build a film portfolio, identify mentors and be exposed to industry opportunities.

Sources of information, workshops with experienced filmmakers and a dedicated server will be the primary hub where teens can collaborate with each other, find resources and stay current on news of interest to the youth filmmaking community.

The launch of the website coincides with the Film Forum’s introduction of the Y-CAM Production Award providing grants of $600 to six emerging filmmakers from Washington, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Grants will be awarded three times a year to two recipients per cycle.