The Minority Scholars Program (MSP) is hosting its second annual Youth Anti-Racist Film Festival on Feb. 22, 2025. The event will be held at the spacious AFI Theatre in downtown Silver Spring.
Students will be submitting short films, not exceeding 8 minutes, with powerful messages against racism and issues surrounding race and equity within education. Submissions are open until Feb. 5 to individual students, a group of students, or clubs from any K-12 Montgomery County school. These films will then have the chance to be showcased in front of the attendees, with cash prizes of up to $300 awarded to the top three films chosen by a panel of professional filmmakers.
As stated by MSP, “the First Film Festival was a huge success,” as it hosted over 115 attendees and showcased 12 short films made by students around the county. The winners included students from Blair High School, Rockville High School, and Lakelands Park Middle School, with their films later being displayed on the MCPS website, as well as used for professional development.
The Minority Scholars Program was founded in 2005 at Walter Johnson High School by Dr. Michael Williams, Esther Adams, Dr. Chris Garran, and Dr. Edgar Malker. The founders originally gathered African American and Latino students to start a conversation addressing the lack of minority students in extracurricular activities and high-level classes at the school. The organization soon became a student-led movement intended to help minority students receive fair educational opportunities and treatment.
The movement branched out to Clarksburg High in 2008 and Wootton and Bethesda-Chevy Chase High Schools in 2010.
As of 2025, 25 high schools, 35 middle schools, and 15 elementary schools are part of the MSP program. The organization proclaims itself as the “fastest growing youth-led movement in Montgomery County”. Their mission is to end the opportunity gap that prevents minority students from receiving equitable access to education and feeling accepted in their school communities.
Valerie Tsang, Vice President of Poolesville’s MSP Branch, believes that film is an effective tool for portraying how racism is harmful.
“Good films evoke feelings and present messages that can stick with people for a lifetime,” said Tsang. “As a result, using film to portray the consequences and putting the watcher in the victim’s shoes can help others understand racism.”
This is an opportunity for young voices to be heard. Work can be submitted for a chance to be featured at this year’s festival and contribute to this important youth movement. For film submission details, contact your school’s MSP club.
