Press & Events

Rebecca St.John featured on Colorado Public Radio

Rebecca St.John, YDA Class of 2015, was recently featured on Colorado Public Radio.  She tells us about her film, ROCK BOTTOM, in a piece called, “When Young Love Turns Abusive.” CLICK HERE to listen  

NMFA spotlights AFTER WAR for PTSD Awareness Month

YDA was hosted by the National Military Families Association (NMFA) during our trip to Washington D.C. in May, 2016.  After a screening of Bailey Francisco’s documentary, AFTER WAR, we enjoyed a warm and frank discussion between our four student filmmakers and the NMFA staff, including Executive Directory, Joyce Raezer. “NMFA hears … Read more »

Bailey Francisco featured on Colorado Public Radio

Bailey Francisco, YDA Class of 2014, was recently featured on Colorado Public Radio. He tells us about his film, AFTER WAR, in, “Colorado Teen Documents Dad’s PTSD, Family’s Pain, In ‘After War’” CLICK HERE to listen    

“After War:” Military Kid Produces Film About Father’s PTSD

By My Military Life: A blog by the National Military Family Association. Originally published online on June 3, 2016. “After War:” Military Kid Produces Film About Father’s PTSD “He went from this stud, athlete, awesome dad to barely human because he was so whacked out of his mind.”Bailey Francisco is … Read more »

Antreise Lacey featured on Colorado Public Radio

Link to CPR to listen now At the beginning of Antreise Lacey’s short film, faces of young African-American women flash on the screen. They each say a phrase: either “light skin” or “dark skin.” Lacey is 18 and just graduated from Widefield High School outside of Colorado Springs. She made the … Read more »

YDA Filmmakers Featured on Fox21 News

YDA was given the spotlight this morning on Fox21 News.  Tom shares more information about YDA and how the programs inspires student filmmakers.  Then hear more from filmmaker Antreise Lacey on her film SHADE, and filmmaker Bailey Francisco on his film AFTER WAR, both of which screened recently in Washington … Read more »

YDA Filmmakers Featured on Washington DC News

YDA Filmmakers Bailey Francisco and Antreise Lacey were featured on Washington D.C.’s NBC 4 today. “Several student documentaries will be showcased for lawmakers on Capitol Hill this week. The films were all made by students at the Youth Documentary Academy in Colorado. Student filmmakers Antreise Lacey and Bailey Francisco stopped … Read more »

YDA’s upcoming trip to Washington DC featured in the Gazette

  CLICK HERE to read the full article: Four student filmmakers from Youth Documentary Academy head to Washington, D.C. By: Jen Mulson May 15, 2016 at 2:55 pm Antreise Lacy, a 17-year-old Widefield High School junior, was so frustrated with the negative stereotypes about the skin color of black girls … Read more »

Denver Post – Colorado student directors get congressional viewing for documentaries

YDA will be making waves in Washington DC this May!  CLICK HERE to read the full article   By THE DENVER POST | newsroom@denverpost.com May 9, 2016 at 5:58 am Four Colorado student filmmakers will premiere their documentaries next week at a congressional screening in Washington, D.C., where U.S. Rep. … Read more »

YDA Takes Films to Capitol Hill

The Youth Documentary Academy is thrilled to share news of our upcoming visit to Washington D.C. next week where four of our Colorado Springs graduates – Antreise Lacey, Madison Legg, Bailey Francisco, and Stevie Earnest – will be presenting their films on Capitol Hill at a Congressional screening welcomed by Rep. … Read more »

While walking around Boulder, so many people came up to me and my dad to thank me for making AFTER WAR.

Bailey Francisco, 17


We were struck by how deeply students were willing to delve into difficult topics, often personal stories, and handle that material with real sensitivity.

Tara Thomas, Director of Education, Bemis School of Art