Pueblo Youth Empowerment Program Partners with Youth Documentary Academy to Present Mini-Film Festival

Pueblo Youth Empowerment Program Partners with Youth
Documentary Academy to Present Mini-Film Festival

Sangre de Cristo Arts Center Hosts “Through Their Lens” Fundraiser

PUEBLO, Colo., August 24, 2026 — MY NAME IS is an arts-based youth documentary empowerment program, in partnership with the Youth Documentary Academy, and with the support of Sangre de Cristo Arts and Convention Center and sponsorship of El Pomar Foundation is proud to present “Through Their Lens” mini-film festival. This community fundraiser will take place on Saturday, September 19, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Convention Center’s Theater. The festival showcases four extraordinary short documentaries created by Pueblo’s youth that is certain to ignite community excitement about the talent and stories of Pueblo’s youth.

The featured films offer a powerful look at the depth and skill young directors bring to the screen, exploring profound personal narratives: the journey of first-generation daughters from Mexico; the lived experience of an autistic young man; a deeply personal exploration of body image; and the realities of growing up mixed-race. These specific films serve as a brilliant example of the high-caliber storytelling that Pueblo children can achieve when given the right skills, mentorship and platform.

The MY NAME IS program is explicitly designed to level the playing field for Pueblo youth who face statistical barriers to success, such as poverty, discrimination, minority status and more by focusing on unlocking their immense latent potential. Operating in intimate groups of just 10 peers, guided by a professional artist and a group assistant, youth use art and incremental technical training to build deep group cohesion, trust and creative confidence. Participants learn film skills, explore their identity, celebrate their heritage and build a powerful sense of personal agency and competence as they help create one collaborative documentary.

As one of the artists said, “Our children are our future. We want them to experience the same creative opportunities as our more affluent children. We want the Pueblo community to watch these four incredible films and leave with immense anticipation and high expectations for what our local children will create. This is about helping them realize their potential and blossom into our community’s future leaders.”

Event Details
What: Through Their Lens Mini-Film Festival
When: Saturday, September 19, 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: Sangre de Cristo Arts Center (Theater), 210 N. Santa Fe Ave., Pueblo
Admission: $5 per ticket. Donations appreciated. Silent auction items will be available.

About MY NAME IS
MY NAME IS is an arts-based youth empowerment initiative that leverages artistic engagement and documentary filmmaking to nurture agency, competence, and pride in heritage. By providing professional-level tools and close-knit mentorship, the program empowers marginalized youth to discover their potential and become the future leaders of their communities.

About the Youth Documentary Academy
Since 2014, the Youth Documentary Academy has provided Southern Colorado teens with intensive training in all aspects of documentary filmmaking. Their graduates showcase first-person point of view films not often seen in mainstream films.

About the Creative Consortium of Pueblo
The Creative Consortium of Pueblo is a group of volunteer artists, artisans, creatives and makers who came together in 2022 to promote and market the creative endeavors of Pueblo.