A TV SERIES FOR FAMILIES TO WATCH TOGETHER
Created and produced by the revolutionary teen-driven Youth Documentary Academy, OUR TIME is a new series for public television that began airing in 2022 via American Public Television. So far, OUR TIME has broadcast on over 80 percent of PBS stations nationwide (including 25 of the top 25 markets!)
Films in the series feature stories about the critical issues of our time through the eyes of young people. These character-driven stories address social issues around race and colorism, disability, teen suicide, gender and sexuality, PTSD, domestic violence, family life and immigration, just to name a few.
Teen Filmmakers Take on Tough Topics that Matter
The media often glosses over the lives and experiences of teens with glib or superficial coverage. Since 2014, the Youth Documentary Academy has been changing the conversation with a unique program that invites teen filmmakers into the role of storyteller with courage and audacity. Discover a television series that is more than sensationalized drama, and yet provides unvarnished and deeply compelling first-person accounts of growing up in America. The Youth Documentary Academy proudly presents OUR TIME, a television series produced in association with public television that dives deeply into tough topics faced by teens across the nation. Find the OUR TIME series airing on most PBS stations beginning in 2022 and tune in with your own family.
“YDA has made a big impact on my life by helping me to connect with my peers as well as older generations, bringing awareness about uncomfortable topics such as suicide, depression, immigration, LGBTQ issues, and domestic violence in relationships.”
–Dee Contreras
Who gets to tell their story in America?
Founded in 2013, the Youth Documentary Academy (YDA) has pioneered youth-driven storytelling that seeks to discover and honor underrepresented stories while raising voices that have traditionally been overlooked. YDA offers intensive mentorship to aspiring teen filmmakers 14-18 years old. Through rigorous hands-on training in both the technical and artistic aspects of filmmaking and storytelling, YDA students receive the tools and support to hone their stories and produce professional quality documentaries. When complete, YDA works closely with filmmakers to distribute their work to local and national audiences. YDA’s 100 films have become a go-to for educators, advocates and PBS programmers alike.
Major Funding
Mary Anne & Steve Walldorf
Betsy & Warren Dean
Additional Funding
The Youth Documentary Academy relies on direct funding and donations from our sponsors. If you appreciate the OUR TIME series, please consider supporting the Youth Documentary Academy. Your donation makes a difference, and makes future seasons of the PBS series OUR TIME possible.
