2009 Film Workshops

The SouthSide Film Institute was pleased to partner with Lehigh University in offering two workshops during our 2009 festival.

View the unique films created by our workshop participants: 2009 Workshop Films

“Walk the Walk”: Part I: Documentary Video Workshop
June 14th through June 17th - 9AM to 6PM

In this immersive workshop, participants will explore different documentary genres and discuss community collaboration, ethics, and copyright. In preparation for production, you will be introduced to camera, lighting, and sound techniques after which you will work with a teammate to direct, shoot, and edit and short documentary about Bethlehem’s south side. Your completed documentaries will premier during the SouthSide Film Festival. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view documentary films at the SouthSide Film Festival and participate in discussion with filmmakers about the documentary process. For anyone taking this course who is a classroom teacher for which “Continuing Ed” credits would apply, you will be interested in learning that the SouthSide Film Institute has been designated, by the PA Department of Education, an Approved Professional Education Provider. This course is eligible for 24 credits.

Cameras, microphones, tripods, headphones, computers and editing software are provided. No previous experience is necessary, but a certain level of comfort with technology is a real plus. Participants should bring two miniDV tapes. Editing software will be Final Cut Express. A commitment to a full eight-hour day is a must. Workshop instruction is provided by Lehigh University staff.

For additional information, please contact Julia Maserjian at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

“Talk the Talk”: PART II: Experiments with Reality Workshop
June 18th through June 21st - 10AM to 5PM

You are a storyteller; an innovator. You have just made a documentary video or have a story from real life that you are dying to shoot, but talking heads or observational camera shots aren't the visual tone you're looking for. You're thinking edgy, abstract, poetic. Take the next step in learning how to make your film tell a compelling story. No special equipment is required for this workshop, other than an open mind and a desire to learn. This workshop will familiarize you with different experimental styles that have found their way into cutting edge documentary filmmaking. This workshop is taught by Shanti Thakur, an award winning documentary, narrative, and experimental filmmaker. This course is also eligible for 24 “Continuing Education” credits.

For additional information on the "Experiments with Reality Workshop", contact the SSFI office at 610-882-4300 or email Bill Stanford at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Participants are encouraged to register for both workshops. The combined workshop fee is $350 or $250 for either part. Space is limited, so please register by May 29th. Workshop Application (pdf)

Note: SSFF will not be offering the Documentary Filmmaking Workshop of past years. You can view all the films created through the Documentary Filmmaking Workshop, from 2005 through 2008, on the Filmtreks' website .