From Trinidad to Hollywood: Help Our Teens Shine at PAFF in Los Angeles!

After only 3 weeks and the very first edition, our extraordinary teens have been invited to the prestigious Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) StudentFest in February 2026! And you can help make it happen!

These 11–17 year-olds are graduates of the Teen Creators Academy™ (TCA), a high-impact, real-world learning experience - more than developing creative skills, our teens were exposed to activities designed to mould character, build resilience, nurture teamwork and emphasize the importance of integrity and respect for legacy.

Under the volunteer guidance of professional industry mentors, they took on a challenging three-week journey that tested their commitment, discipline, and ability to work under pressure —qualities that will serve them in every walk of life.

More importantly, they learned to lead, to collaborate, to keep going when things got tough, and to deliver excellence on deadline.

With all of that, our lovely teens also coordinated a plastics recycling project and spent quality learning time with the unassuming Mr. Carlton, our watchman - who as it turns out, was a projectionist for 30 years with the Big-7 Cinema chain. He taught them about spooling and projecting through the 70mm and 35mm lens.

On Creator Quest™ days they visited production studios, animation labs, our very first TV Station - TTT, Gemstones/IMAX and Certified Scoop to learn about leveraging 'likes' to wealth creation. 

And with all of that they still managed to shoot 3 films while planning and managing their own red carpet premiere—proof of their growing confidence, professionalism, and global citizenship.

Their hard work has paid off: their original short films—Carnival Chaos, Her Smile Was Backwards, and Play Date — have been officially selected for the prestigious Pan African Film Festival’s (PAFF) StudentFest in Los Angeles.

The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF), founded in 1992 by Danny Glover, the late Ja’Net DuBois, and Ayuko Babu, is the largest Black film and arts festival in the United States.

Recognized as an Oscar-qualifying festival, PAFF provides an international stage where new voices can shine, and where award-winning films gain the opportunity to be considered for the Academy Awards.

The Goal
We need to raise USD100,000 to take 22-23 teens and their volunteer mentors to Los Angeles. That's just under USD 5,000 per person.

Your donation will cover:

• Airfare from Trinidad and Tobago to Los Angeles
• Airbnb accommodation and meals for 5 days
• Ground transport in LA
• Cultural exchange activities
• Studio tours, workshops, and networking opportunities

Why It Matters
This is more than a trip. It’s a chance for these young leaders to:

• Represent Trinidad & Tobago and the Caribbean on a world stage
• Build global networks and see what’s possible beyond their borders
• Return home with the vision, skills, and resilience to shape their communities for the better

Your support doesn’t just fund travel—it invests in the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and global citizens.

How You Can Help
Every contribution brings our talented teens closer to seeing their films on the international stage. Whether you give $50, $500, or more, your support makes a difference.

• Donate now—help us cover travel, accommodation, and festival costs.
• Share this campaign with friends, family, and your networks

Follow our journey on social media and be part of this historic moment Teen Creators Academy Instagram

Together, we can send these bright young leaders from Trinidad’s streets to Hollywood’s spotlight—and watch them bring that light back home.

Give today. Share their story. Watch them shine.