LOS ANGELES — The fourth annual “Making Movies that Matter” Youth Short Film Festival and artist-in-residence program supports schools and organizations to participate in a cost-free arts education opportunity, encouraging students to explore stories and themes that are important to them.

The program provides equipment and expertise from artists-in-residence in a collaboration between LA Council District 12 and several community partners.

Over its four years, the program has seen the creation of more than 500 films from more than 100 schools. 

The juried final film showcase is scheduled for May 18 at the Soraya Performing Arts Center on the campus of Cal State University, Northridge.