FILMS BYKIDS

BYKIDS, a series of documentaries shot by teenagers from around the world, chronicles the budding filmmakers' real-life trials and the ways they address their problems, all through the lens of a camera. Each half-hour documentary offers a close and personal look at the lives of five international teens (Faiza, Mar�a, Jayshreem, Namgyal and Alcides), between the ages of 16 and 17, who are each grappling with a very real issue—from religious bullying in New York City, to displacement as a result of war, to living as an AIDS orphan in Maputo, Mozambique.

Through the power of film, the teens are able to share their stories and ultimately learn how to become activists in their own lives.

Thanks to BYkids, a non-profit organization dedicated to international understanding, these novice story tellers are able to share their globally relevant stories with help from professional documentary filmmakers, including the late Albert Maysles, Ric Burns and Joyce Chopra. The five featured documentaries were chosen from entries by 8- to 21-year-olds in a yearly competition.