I’ve been thinking a lot about how special it is that we’re all coming together here, no matter where in the world we’re starting from. I was just in Lagos, Nigeria filming a documentary and it was surprised at how curiosity my crew had for resources that we have here. One of the biggest reasons I’m so dedicated to creating this academy is because I’ve never seen anything quite like it—something that truly brings filmmakers together across borders, cultures, and experiences. I’m genuinely curious to know where we’re growing and what other creative communities are out there in different parts of the world. It’s amazing to think about the possibilities of meeting you all in person someday, but for now, getting a great sense of where everyone’s at is the first step. Drop a comment below with: - Where You’re From (City & Country) - What’s Unique About Filmmaking in Your Hometown or Your Journey So Far I can’t wait to see where we all are, learn about the unique challenges and triumphs in your local communities, and continue building this incredible global network together. Looking forward to hearing from you and learning more about the amazing places we’re connecting from!

I am Jonathan, 15 years old, living in the Netherlands. I am a developer and designer, but I would love to add filmmaker to the list. A challenge you're facing: Actually making the content. I can create a raw script and a storyboard, but I can never get to the point of filming and editing the idea. A goal you're aiming for: To overcome my challenge and become a small filmmaker who tells his own stories, and to document the whole journey. Looking forward to connecting with you all! Thanks @Jordan Oram for this awesome community.

Can't believe its actually happening. I'd love to get to know everyone here personally so I'll start with my personal story sharing how I ended up here: (16min read) I was always curious, even as a kid. I wanted to learn about everything. The place I grew up, just east of Toronto, is now known for being really special, but to me, it was just where I learned a lot. My trips on the train to the city were long, but I learned so much during them. I met different kinds of people on those trips. Some were unhappy with their jobs, some were new to the country and worked very hard, and others seemed really happy and had everything planned out. I was trying to figure out my own life, fixing old dreams and getting better at things I wasn't good at yet. I met a woman who changed her whole career when she was 40. Her story made me think about how we can always change and grow. This made me love coming up with new ideas for careers, new decisions. I used to write about other people's stories and didn't talk much about my own. But now I wonder, should I tell my story too? Maybe my story is just as important as theirs. I've learned that everyone's story is important. It's not just what the story is about, but how you tell it and what you learn from it. My story is about learning from everything, everywhere - all at once. // Early Inspirations and Realizations Growing up, my definition of success was different. It wasn't about money, but rather a deep sense of responsibility. Being raised in a Jamaican household, where hand-me-downs were treasures and sleepovers a luxury, I learned life's value differently. I remember looking out of my window, seeing others seemingly having it all, while I cherished the small joys of a good week leading to a peaceful sleep. In those moments, I found my drive. The world around me, noisy with talks of Rogers customer service taking too long and a society longing for change, became my classroom. I was the kid who had big dreams - not just any dreams, but of becoming a 'leader by example, not by definition'. But with big dreams come big fears. The thought of not knowing everything, of having to say 'I don't know', haunted me.