By Christina Hasaan, Ciara Sheerin, Betsey Carroll – DAO DATA CoLab
5 Shorts: A Vision Transformed into Action
The 5 Shorts Project is a Germantown-based organization that supports local filmmakers of all levels, bringing their vision all the way from pre-production to the screen. 5 Shorts was founded by Shameka Sawyer in honor of her brother, Allen Taylor, who was tragically lost to gun violence in 2020. 5 Shorts aims to empower participants to share their stories through filmmaking.
Youth Program Spotlight: Bout Mine I Matter Youth Video Production Program
As part of 5 Shorts’ programming, the Bout Mine I Matter (BMIM) summer and afterschool programming serves youth ages 13 to 19 from neighborhoods heavily impacted by gun violence. Youth participants meet twice weekly for four hours each day, and youth are paid for their participation.
Bout Mine I Matter provides youth with hands-on training in storytelling, cinematography, and film production, and offers a space for youth to process trauma, advocate for change, and envision a future beyond violence. As part of its programming, BMIM provides youth participants with supportive services by incorporating behavioral health workshops into the curriculum. These workshops provide youth participants with tools to navigate the emotional challenges associated with their experiences and the filmmaking process. This holistic approach supports youth not only in their creative endeavors but also in their personal growth by promoting social and emotional well-being and healing.
The youth work to apply the filmmaking skills they are learning towards creating their own short film. Participants choose the details of the film on their own, but the ultimate goal is that it reflects young Black and Brown filmmakers’ voices, creativity, and lived experiences with gun violence and connecting with the community members who are also affected.
Program Impact: Growth and Engagement in Summer 2025
This past summer, the program saw significant growth. This past summer of 2025, the program served almost 20 students, doubling their previous cohorts. During this summer programming, the youth participants were able to produce two short films. These films are now part of the more than 20 films that have been produced through 5 Shorts programming, addressing critical social issues like gun violence.
Collaborating with the DATA CoLab: Integrating Data into Film
Since partnering with the initiative, 5 Shorts has worked alongside the DATA CoLab to integrate criminal legal data into its programming where relevant. This data’s inclusion can help participants ground their individual experiences within wider trends related to shootings and other types of violence in Philadelphia. It can also enrich the films themselves by providing context and numbers that enhance the filmmakers’ messages. 5 Shorts receives regular shooting victim reports on a monthly and quarterly basis that detail incidents in the Germantown area. In the documentary that is being created through the DATA CoLab partnership, students, practitioners, co-victims, and business owners review the real-life effects of gun violence on the Germantown community as a whole. 5 Shorts sought to focus specifically on fatal shootings and their victims in Germantown in recent years. The documentary highlights residents’ narratives of gun violence and will also include data to add context to these stories. The DATA CoLab was able to provide a report with detailed breakdowns and trends of fatal shootings in the area from 2020 to the time of the report in order to support this work.
In addition to providing data for the film, the Germantown CoLab coordinator has worked closely with 5 Shorts’ youth programming. For example, the youth were provided with one of the shooting victims reports and were able to have a circle discussion about what it was showing. Additionally, students participated in an asset mapping workshop where they learned how asset mapping can serve as a visual data tool to identify community strengths and work towards most effectively harnessing them. Both of the activities with the students allowed for CoLab to help the strengthen their data research and literacy skills.
Looking Ahead: Expansion and Future Initiatives
The success of the BMIM program has paved the way for its expansion. Plans are underway to offer year-round workshops and launch a fellowship program to support BMIM alumni interested in media, arts, and advocacy careers. By nurturing these teens’ creative and intellectual pursuits, 5 Shorts builds and uplifts young community leaders, equipping them with creative tools to drive positive change through storytelling.
Conclusion: A Platform for Change
The Bout Mine I Matter program uses the power of storytelling to help students heal and grow. By providing youth participants with the tools to share their experiences and perspectives, BMIM not only amplifies their voices but also contributes to a broader dialogue on gun violence and community resilience. As the program continues to grow, it remains a beacon of hope and a catalyst for change in Philadelphia.
Acknowledgements
The DATA CoLab is honored to work with organizations like 5 Shorts.
We welcome feedback, comments, and inquiries to collaborate with the CoLab or support for the associated community partners at [email protected].
The DATA CoLab is made possible through funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).