Jefferson Rocha, Coordinator of TV DEGASE; Pedro Dannemann, Teacher of the course; Steve Solot, President, LATC; Doralice Sisnande dos Santos, Occupational Therapist – Technical Director, DEGASE.
The course “Fazendo Meu Primeiro Filme” (“Making My First Film”), a social inclusion initiative of the Culture Council of the Commercial Association of Rio de Janeiro (ACRJ), administered by the Latin American Training Center (LATC), has launched its second edition at DEGASE – the General Department of Socio-Educational Actions, this time at the Belford Roxo unit.
Aimed at training young people in vulnerable situations, the new course, conducted by Professor Pedro Dannemann, is offered to 10 participants from DEGASE Belford Roxo juvenile delinquent facility over six weeks. During this period, students learn, through hands-on experience, the fundamentals of filmmaking and producing short films using mobile phones.
DEGASE is the agency of the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro responsible for implementing socio-educational measures for adolescents in conflict with the law, working to promote social reintegration through educational, cultural, and civic training initiatives. In this context, the project serves as a concrete tool for transformation, offering young people new perspectives through creative expression and the development of technical skills.
This edition in Belford Roxo continues the work begun in 2025, when the project was first implemented at the DEGASE unit at Ilha do Governador, consolidating a partnership that has demonstrated consistent results in participant engagement and training.
At the end of the course, a screening event will be held, showcasing the films produced by the students for their families, guests, and authorities, along with the awarding of completion certificates, celebrating not only the conclusion of the program but also the protagonism and creativity of the young participants.
“The impact of the project goes beyond technical training. It is about giving these young people a voice, self-esteem, and new possibilities for the future,” highlights Steve Solot, President of LATC.
Based on the results achieved, the “Making My First Film” project reaffirms its commitment to social inclusion and the democratization of access to audiovisual production, establishing itself as a benchmark initiative in using cinema as a tool for social transformation in the State of Rio de Janeiro.
About the “Fazendo Meu Primeiro Filme” (“Fazendo meu Primeiro Filme”) Project:
An initiative of the Commercial Association of Rio de Janeiro (ACRJ) Culture Council, the project offers free audiovisual courses for young people from favelas and municipalities in the state of Rio de Janeiro, promoting social inclusion, practical training, and access to the creative industry. In 2025, the project implemented six courses for 85 young participants, who produced 45 short films across more than 25 favelas and municipalities in the state. The project is supported by a new Strategic Advisory Board composed of public and private sector leaders committed to strengthening and expanding the initiative.
About LATC:
The Latin American Training Center (LATC), based in Rio de Janeiro, provides professional training, consulting, and development of initiatives for the audiovisual industry, including social inclusion and training projects, as well as technical training programs for audiovisual professionals across Latin America.
Contact: steve.latc@gmail.com
