● Summer Film Camp San Francisco• 2026

Turn Creativity Into Films This Summer.
Film Camp Comes to San Francisco

Give your child a week they'll talk about all year.
At Film Camp San Francisco, kids ages 7–14 team up inside a professional theater space to write, direct, act in, shoot, and edit their very own short films.

"Thank you for the wonderful opportunity for my boys Maksim and Nikita! It was an incredible experience! My kids were super excited all 5 days!"


Pamela S., Bay Area Parent

Professional Theater Venue
Sessions held at Young Performers Theater — a dedicated performance space in SF's Marina District.

Ages 7–14
Designed for a wide range of young creators. No prerequisites.

Screened & Approved Staff
All instructors clear comprehensive background checks before camp begins.

Marina District Location
Young Performers Theater — Landmark Building D, Marina Blvd, San Francisco.

Family Premiere Event
The final day wraps with a red-carpet screening where families celebrate together.

Hands-On, Project-Based Learning

What Your Child Will Actually Do at Camp

Campers work together to create a short film from idea to premiere — learning real filmmaking skills while having an unforgettable week.

Scriptwriting & Storytelling

Great movies start on the page. Campers brainstorm concepts, shape characters that feel real, map out plot beats, and craft a script their team can bring to life — building a foundation in narrative structure along the way.

Directing & Camera Operation

Campers step into the director's chair and discover how creative decisions shape what the audience sees. They learn to stage action, guide fellow performers, select angles, and handle professional camera gear with purpose.

Green Screen & SFX

From green screen worlds to in-camera effects, campers explore the tricks behind the movies they love—creating scenes that go far beyond what’s possible in real life.

Screen Acting

Campers explore what makes a performance land on camera — timing, expression, movement, and voice. Through warm-ups, improv rounds, and scene rehearsals, they build the confidence to perform with authenticity.

Production Design & Wardrobe

From handmade backdrops and DIY props to curated costumes and character-driven makeup choices, campers learn that every visual detail on screen is a deliberate storytelling decision.

Editing & Sound Design

In the editing room, campers assemble their raw footage into a polished film — trimming takes, layering in music and effects, designing title cards, and rolling credits on a project that's entirely their own.

Why Parents Choose Film Camp

Where Kids Build Films, Friendships, and Lasting Confidence

San Francisco is a city that celebrates independent thinkers and original voices — and that's exactly what Film Camp nurtures. Inside a small, supportive group, your child learns to pitch ideas, work through creative challenges, and present something they made from scratch to an audience. That kind of experience stays with them.

📽 Book a Spot

🌟

Open to Complete Beginners

Never made a video before? That's the whole point. Our SF instructors turn first-timers into capable, enthusiastic filmmakers one step at a time.

💪

Real Ownership, Real Pride

There's no faking the feeling a child gets watching their own film on screen. That moment of pride — earned through a week of creative effort — is what parents tell us they value most.

🎓

Skills Beyond the Screen

Communication, collaboration, time management, public speaking, creative problem-solving — filmmaking teaches the same skills Bay Area parents care about most, just through a medium kids genuinely love.

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A Premiere Worth Attending

Grab a seat, settle in, and watch your young filmmaker present their finished work in front of family and friends. It's the proudest moment of the week — for everyone.

Austin Camp Dates

Choose Your 2026 Camp Week

Both sessions take place at Magellan International School in Austin from 9am–4pm. Spots are limited — reserve early.

Session 01

June 8–12

2026

  1. ⏰9am – 4pm daily
  2. 📍Magellan International School
  3. 📌7501 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX
  4. 🤵 Ages 7–14
  5. Final film premiere included

Tuition

$550

📽 Reserve a Spot

🔒Secure Checkout

Session 01

June 8–12

2026

  1. ⏰9am – 4pm daily
  2. 📍Magellan International School
  3. 📌7501 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX
  4. 🤵 Ages 7–14
  5. Final film premiere included

Tuition

$550

📽 Reserve a Spot

🔒Secure Checkout

5 days of filmmaking summer fun

Locations & Dates

Summer Camps Through June & July
SIBLING DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE - contact us! 

JUNE 15 - 19

(9am - 4pm)

BATS IMPROV

Landmark Building B, 3rd 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123

BOOK NOW! ($595)
JUNE 22 - 26

(9am - 4pm)

YOUNG PERFORMERS THEATER

Landmark Building D, 3rd 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123

BOOK NOW! ($595)
JULY 6 - 10

(9am - 4pm)

BATS IMPROV

Landmark Building B, 3rd 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123

BOOK NOW! ($595)
JULY 20 - 24

(9am - 4pm)

BATS IMPROV

Landmark Building B, 3rd 2 Marina Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94123

BOOK NOW! ($595)

Four Steps from Sign-Up to Screening Night

The process is simple. Here's everything your family needs to know.

1

Choose a Session

Check available weeks at Young Performers Theater in San Francisco. We offer four sessions between mid-June and late July 2026.

2

Secure Your Child's Place

Register online in minutes. With only 12 spots per session, weeks fill up quickly — especially in June.

3

Spend a Week Making a Movie

Across five packed days, your child collaborates with a small crew to write, direct, act in, shoot, and edit an original short film from the ground up

4

Celebrate at the Premiere

Friday afternoon belongs to the families. Show up, take photos on the red carpet, and watch your child's finished film light up the screen for the very first time.

Your Child's Week at Film Camp

Each day builds on the previous, creating a complete filmmaking journey from initial concept to final premiere. Campers arrive as curious beginners and leave as confident young filmmakers with a finished production they created themselves. Here's exactly what happens during the week:

Day

1

Monday

Foundations & Story Development

Morning (9 AM to 12 PM): Welcome ceremony and team introductions. Icebreaker activities help campers connect with their future collaborators. Introduction to filmmaking roles and responsibilities. Film analysis workshop: What makes a great short film? Campers watch and discuss examples, identifying storytelling techniques they'll use in their own projects.

Afternoon (1 PM to 4 PM): The creative process begins! Brainstorming sessions generate dozens of original ideas. Campers pitch their favorite concepts and vote on stories to develop. Teams form around shared creative visions. Script development begins with instructor guidance, and campers learn professional storyboarding techniques to visualize their films before shooting begins.

Day

2

Tuesday

Pre-Production & Acting Workshop

Morning (9 AM to 12 PM): Script finalization and table reads where teams read through their scripts together. Intensive acting workshop covers on-camera techniques, emotional expression, hitting marks, and character development. Even campers who think they don't want to act discover they have natural talent when given proper guidance.

Afternoon (1 PM to 4 PM): Camera and equipment training with professional gear. Campers learn safe handling, basic operation, and filming techniques. Shot list creation and location scouting within the studio. Costume selection and prop preparation. Teams finalize all pre-production elements so they're ready to film tomorrow.

Day

3

Wednesday

Lights, Camera, Action! Principal Photography Begins

Morning (9 AM to 12 PM): Lighting workshop covering professional three-point setups. Set preparation and rehearsals. The cameras start rolling! Teams begin filming their projects with close instructor supervision, learning on-set workflow and communication.

Afternoon (1 PM to 4 PM): Continued filming with systematic rotation through crew positions. Each camper experiences directing, camera operation, sound recording, and on-screen acting. This rotation ensures everyone understands each role's contribution to the final film.

Day

4

Thursday

Filming Completion & Editing Introduction

Morning (9 AM to 12 PM): Final filming sessions wrap up principal photography. Pick-up shots capture any missed moments. Re-shoots address any scenes that need improvement. Teams review all captured footage together, celebrating what they've accomplished.

Afternoon (1 PM to 4 PM): The post-production journey begins! Introduction to professional editing software. Teams start assembling their footage, learning about cuts, transitions, and pacing. Instructors guide campers through the editing process, showing how raw footage transforms into a polished story.

Day

5

Friday

Post-Production & Red Carpet Premiere!

Morning (9 AM to 12 PM): Final editing push! Adding music that enhances emotional moments, creating professional titles and credits, sound mixing to balance dialogue and music, and basic color correction to give films a polished look. Teams finalize their masterpieces.

Afternoon (1 PM to 4 PM): Final film exports and premiere preparation. Campers prepare to present their work. 🎬 3:00 PM: Family arrives for the RED CARPET PREMIERE! Campers walk the red carpet, present their finished films to parents, grandparents, and friends, receive certificates of completion, and celebrate their incredible accomplishments!

See Film Camp in Action

Where Stories Come to Life

From talk shows and music videos to adventures and comedies — every voice finds its place on screen.

What Parents Are Saying

Families Love the Film Camp Experience

From talk shows and music videos to adventures and comedies — every voice finds its place on screen.

★★★★★

From the Marina to the Mission, families across San Francisco and the greater Bay Area share what Film Camp meant for their kids.

Pamela S.

Parent

★★★★★

"My kids loved the camp so, so much. Every day was a new adventure. This was both of their first times acting and being behind the camera. They are already asking to go back. Absolutely worth it, great instructors."

Tiffany J.

Los Angeles, California

★★★★★

"It was a great experience for my son. He was excited from day one. Kids wrote the script, participated in discussion, played, acted, filmed. They did so much in these 5 days! Highly recommend for any creative kid."

Oxana

Glendale, California

★★★★★

"Thank you for the wonderful opportunity for my boys Maksim and Nikita! It was an incredible experience! My kids were super excited all 5 days!"

Pamela S.

Burbank, California

📽 Reserve a Spot for Your Child

See Film Camp in Action

Filmmakers Who Know How to Teach. Educators Who Know How to Inspire.

Our San Francisco team combines professional filmmaking chops with a genuine talent for connecting with young people. Every session is led by creatives who care as much about the process as the final cut.

Background-Checked Instructors
Every team member is thoroughly vetted to ensure your child's safety.

Inclusive Environment
Every voice is heard and every story matters. All skill levels welcome.

Experienced Filmmaker Educators
Led by industry professionals dedicated to inspiring young storytellers.

Teamwork & Collaboration
Kids build friendships and social skills through shared creative projects.

See Film Camp in Action

Passionate Filmmakers. Dedicated Educators.

Our instructors bring real-world film experience to every session.

David Pope

CEO

Elijah James

Film Instructor

Will Hammond Jr

Film Instructor

Jackie Alixander

Drama & Film

What Parents Are Saying

Families Love the Film Camp Experience

From talk shows and music videos to adventures and comedies — every voice finds its place on screen.

What's the right age range for Film Camp San Francisco?

Film Camp SF is built for kids ages 7 through 14. We split campers into age-based groups so that younger participants (7–10) can lean into creative play, teamwork, and storytelling basics, while older campers (11–14) tackle more technical production work and step into bigger leadership roles on set.

Does my child need any filmmaking background to attend?

None whatsoever. The vast majority of our campers walk in having never used professional camera or editing equipment. Our curriculum is built from the ground up for beginners — and our instructors are experts at helping kids go from "I've never done this" to "I can't wait to do it again" inside a single week.

What should my child bring to camp?

A packed lunch, a filled water bottle, and clothes that allow for movement and play. Film Camp supplies all cameras, microphones, lighting gear, editing tools, and afternoon snacks. If your child has a prop or costume piece they'd like to bring for their film, they're welcome to — just label everything with their name.

What if we need to cancel?

Cancellations made 14 or more days before your session start date receive a complete refund. Between 7 and 13 days out, a 50% refund applies. Inside the final week, we offer credit toward a future Film Camp session in any city. We know schedules shift — we'll find a solution that works.

What's the camper-to-instructor ratio?

We cap every San Francisco session at 12 kids total. Campers work in smaller production crews of 4–6, meaning every child gets substantial one-on-one time with instructors, plenty of hands-on equipment access, and a meaningful role in their team's film.

Does every kid get time on both sides of the camera?

That's a guarantee. Our rotation system ensures each camper performs on screen, operates camera equipment, contributes to direction, and participates in the editing process. Whether your child loves performing or prefers working behind the scenes, they'll experience both throughout the week.

Camp is indoors — what about San Francisco weather?

All sessions take place inside Young Performers Theater in the Marina District, which is fully climate-controlled and equipped for production work. Fog, wind, rain — none of it touches our schedule. The theater gives us everything we need to film, rehearse, workshop, and screen.

Can our family come to the premiere?

We'd be disappointed if you didn't. The Friday premiere begins at 3:00 PM and is open to parents, siblings, grandparents, and anyone else your child wants in the audience. It's a proper red-carpet moment — and it's consistently the highlight of the entire week for both campers and their families.

Serving Families Across Greater San Francisco

Our Fort Mason studio location at Young Performers Theater is centrally positioned in centrally, making it easily accessible for families throughout San Francisco County and surrounding areas. We welcome young filmmakers from communities across the region:

Easy freeway access from US-101 and I-80 with nearby parking available at Fort Mason Center.

★★★★★

Reserve Your Child's Spot

This Summer, Your Child Becomes a Filmmaker in San Francisco

Sign up for Film Camp SF — a one-week filmmaking experience for kids ages 7–14 at Young Performers Theater in the Marina District. Four sessions available between June and July 2026. Only 12 spots per week.

📬 Questions? Contact Film Camp — we're happy to help!

Austin Summer 2026

Choose your session below
Spots filling fast — reserve now
Session 01

June 8–12

⏰ 9am–4pm

Session 01

July 6–10

⏰ 9am–4pm

📍 Magellan International School
7501 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78731

👥 Ages 7 to 14

📌 Background-checked instructors

Tuition per session

$550

No experience required

🔖 Sibling discount available — Contact us for details

📽 Reserve a Spot🔺 Have Questions? Ask Us

🔒Secure Checkout

♥️ Loved by Families