The Tripod Initiative (“Tripod”) matches professional filmmakers with emerging filmmakers to produce projects that serve our community & local non-profits. This program is a unique introduction for creative thinkers to career paths in non-theatrical film and video production. Emerging Filmmakers develop projects for real clients with real world application through mentorship by top production professionals in the region – a “win-win-win!”

• Tripod helps the community by producing a product for which there is a real need.
• Tripod trains young filmmakers, exposing them to the “real life” practice of producing a project for a client with specific requirements and a real budget.
• Tripod provides an outlet for professionals to “give back,” while earning a stipend.

To date, we have successfully matched professionals with beginning filmmakers, facilitating production of over 20 short videos for “clients” which provide educational, economic development and social services to our region.  We have partnered with the following educational institutions (in alphabetical order) among others: Art Institute of Philadelphia, Girard College, Drexel University, Temple University, University of the Arts & Widener University.

A sampling of “clients” includes Philadelphia Youth Network, Education Works, Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia, the PA Commission on Crime & Delinquency, Smith Playground, Pegausus Therapeutic Riding Academy, Access Sports, Health Partners and the City of Philadelphia, among others.

In fall of 2021, GPFO partnered with the School District of Philadelphia to launch a Tripod program at Strawberry Mansion High School. We hope to launch this programs at other public high schools throughout the district.

For more information, contact Joan Bressler, Director of Greater Philadelphia Filmmakers, a program of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office. (joan@film.org) or 215-686-2668.