The Full Story
illadelstyles Back-to-School Film Creation Summit
Friday, September 4, 2026 | 9AM-3PM | West Philadelphia | FREE for Ages 14-24
What Is This?
This is the film school I wish I had at 17.
One day. One phone. One story.
The illadelstyles Back-to-School Film Creation Summit is a free, 1-day conference where 50 Philly youth learn to write, shoot, and edit their first short film using nothing but the phone in their pocket. No experience needed. No equipment to buy. No fees, ever.
I’m Jermaine Quick. I grew up in St. Joseph’s Home for Boys with no father and a mother battling alcoholism. Entertainment saved me. I learned to breakdance at 11, started rapping at 17, and went to the Art Institute of Philadelphia. That led to 25+ years in entertainment and 5 films in circulation: Rise Like Cream, Concealed Habitat, Change The Beat, American Bully, and Heartless.
My film Sugar won 24 film festivals worldwide. Heartless won Best Film at the Los Angeles Motion Picture Awards. Along the way I’ve given 200+ actors and music artists their first screen credit — people who never thought Hollywood was for them.
Now it’s your turn.
What Happens That Day?
9:00AM - Doors Open + Breakfast
Check in, grab your free “Shoot Your First Film” workbook, meet your mentors.
10:00AM - Workshop 1: STORY
Write a 1-page script in 60 minutes. We’ll screen clips from Sugar and American Bully to break down how real Philly stories get told. You’ll leave with a script.
11:30AM - Workshop 2: SHOOT
Learn to film with your phone using natural light, angles, and sound tricks I’ve used on 5 features. No gimbal, no mic, no excuses. You’ll film your script with a team.
1:00PM - Lunch + Mentor Q&A
Free pizza. Ask me anything. How I got Sugar into 24 festivals. How to pitch. How to get your first credit.
1:45PM - Workshop 3: EDIT
Cut your footage together using free apps. Add music, titles, export. You’ll leave with a finished short film.
3:00PM - Screening + Graduation
We watch everyone’s films. Every student gets a certificate and mentor contact info. Five students get help submitting to Philly Youth Film Festival 2027.
Who Is This For?
If you’re 14-24 and you’ve ever said “I want to make movies but…” — this is for you.
We’re recruiting from St. Joseph’s Home for boys or any group home in the area, Philly public schools, YouthBuild Philly, and returning citizens programs. If you’re from a group home, Title I school, or just a kid with a story and a phone, you belong here.
Free means free. SEPTA passes provided. Lunch provided. Workbook provided. You bring yourself.
Why Phones? Why Free? Why Now?
Because film school costs $50K. Cameras cost $2K. Festivals charge fees.
And that’s why most Philly stories never get told.
Your iPhone is enough. Your West Philly block is enough. Your story is enough.
IPMF gave $500K to Philly filmmakers this year. New Jersey has film tax credits. But money leaves when we don’t have trained crew. This summit builds the pipeline. The 16-year-old who learns to edit today is the PA, director, or producer for tomorrow’s Philly shoot.
One day of training costs $20 of grant money. One day in juvenile detention costs $600+. Entertainment saved me. It can save the next kid too.
From St. Joseph’s Home to 24 Film Festivals. Now It’s Your Turn.
I don’t teach film to just make money. I teach it because somebody has to interrupt the cycle. We’ve lost too many voices to the idea that “this industry isn’t for us.”
It is. And I’ll prove it on September 4th.
50 spots. Free. No experience needed.
Register Below
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together.
