What Fresh Films does

Fresh Films is a U.S. nonprofit production studio and workforce development organization, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Rock Island, Illinois. It trains youth ages 13–25 in film production through free programs — a Weekly Filmmaking Program running at 30+ U.S. locations, a paid Accelerated Film Training Program for ages 18+ in Georgia, Boston, and Illinois, and a Screenwriting Program — all of which earn participants industry-recognized credentials including Adobe Premiere Pro certification, IMDb credits, and pathways to paid internships. Graduates are placed at entertainment employers including HBO, Disney, Netflix, Hulu, Marvel, and Lifetime.

The organization's technology stack centers on professional film/TV production tooling: professional camera equipment, Adobe Premiere Pro editing, on-set production training, and Dolby audio technology. Content produced ranges from feature films (The Stream with Rainn Wilson, Alternate Universe: A Rescue Mission with Steve Guttenberg) and the Emmy-nominated kids' series Detectives Club, to documentaries (I AM disABLEd, an SXSW-EDU 2025 selection airing on PBS) and the four-season Roku Change Makers documentary series distributed to ~90 million Roku households. A planned $12 million Rock Line Studios facility in Rock Island is intended to add two 20,000 sq ft soundstages plus training infrastructure.

The business model is philanthropy- and grant-funded: programs are free to participants, and operating income is sourced from individual donations, foundation grants (Doris & Victor Day, Best Buy, Coca-Cola, John Deere, JPMorgan Chase, Allstate, Hot Topic), government grants (Illinois Film Office capital grant for Rock Line Studios), and corporate sponsorships tied to talent-pipeline access (AT&T/Hello Sunshine, Lifetime, Roku, Sony, Paramount, Fremantle, Tyler Perry Studios, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, UTA, 300 Entertainment, Imagine Entertainment). Go-to-market relies on community-led and event-driven recruitment through school partnerships, community organizations, and regional film offices. No revenue, expense, or program-participant-count figures are disclosed in the source material.

Name

Fresh Films

Legal name

Fresh Films

Website

https://freshfilms.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Fresh Films is a U.S. nonprofit production studio that trains youth ages 13–25 in film production through free programs at 30+ sites, issuing Adobe and IMDb credentials, and produces feature films, documentaries, and series distributed via Roku, PBS, and Amazon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film production and youth workforce development

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Fine Arts Schools (61161)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Unscripted/Reality TV Production (Live-Action) (MPADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Feature-Length Documentaries (MPADADAA), Short-Form Documentaries (MPADADAC), Performing Arts (Acting, Improv, Theater) (EDAAAGAE)

Keywords

• Film production
• Youth workforce development
• Nonprofit media training
• Film industry credentialing
• Documentary production

Headquarters

HQ city

Rock Island

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropic Support: Fresh Films operates as a nonprofit organization funded primarily through donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Programs are free for participants, with scholarships named in honor of donors ($500-$750+).
2. Government and Foundation Grants: Funded by capital grants from Illinois Film Office, support from state film offices (Gwinnett County, Georgia), local foundations (Best Buy Foundation, John Deere Foundation, Coca-Cola Foundation), and humanities councils.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnership arrangements with entertainment companies (AT&T, Lifetime, Roku, Paramount, Sony, Tyler Perry Studios, Fremantle) that fund workforce development programs in exchange for access to diverse talent pipeline.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fresh Films is a nonprofit film production organization that produces feature films, TV series, and documentaries while providing free workforce development training to youth ages 13-25. Its programs combine hands-on production experience under industry professionals with credentials such as Adobe Premiere Pro certification and IMDb credits, creating a pipeline of diverse, work-ready talent for the entertainment industry. The organization operates weekly filmmaking programs across 30+ U.S. locations and accelerated paid training cohorts in Georgia, Boston, and Illinois, supported by partners including Roku, PBS, Lifetime, Sony, Paramount, and Tyler Perry Studios.

Product overview

Fresh Films is a nonprofit film production organization and workforce development program that operates as a multi-product platform. The core offerings include the Weekly Filmmaking Program (afterschool training for teens at 30+ locations) and the Accelerated Paid Film Training Program (for young adults 18+ in Georgia, Boston, and Illinois). The Screenwriting Program rounds out the training offerings. Fresh Films also produces a portfolio of films and TV content including feature films (The Stream, Alternate Universe: A Rescue Mission), documentaries (I AM disABLEd), short-form series (Roku Change Makers), and TV shows (Detectives Club, Just Jo, Code 23, Dearly Departed, MISKITS, Gwen's World of Weird). An upcoming $12 million studio expansion (Rock Line Studios) will add production infrastructure. All programs provide youth with industry credentials, IMDb credits, and hands-on production experience working alongside Hollywood professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weekly Filmmaking Program A free afterschool program for teens ages 13-19 teaching filmmaking skills across pre-production, production, and post-production. Participants create multiple film projects, meet industry professionals, and become eligible for paid summer internships. Runs Tuesday/Thursday at over 30 locations nationwide.
• Accelerated Paid Film Training Program A competitive paid training program for young adults ages 18-25 providing hands-on production training, Adobe Premiere Pro certification, IMDb credits, studio tours, and connections to industry professionals from Roku, Fremantle, and other studios. Programs available in Georgia, Boston, and Illinois.
• Screenwriting Program A 10-session screenwriting program where participants work in teams of 2-3 writers to create a short film script through concept development, outlining, and screenplay writing. Scripts may be produced by fellow filmmakers.
• The Stream Feature film starring Rainn Wilson about five young friends on a Star Wars-inspired adventure in summer 1981. A coming-of-age comedy/adventure for kids and families, 86 minutes. Distributed via Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, and YouTube.
• Alternate Universe: A Rescue Mission Feature sci-fi/adventure film starring Steve Guttenberg and Harry Lennix about orphaned sisters who find their parents in another world using their science project. 84 minutes, distributed by Gravitas Ventures and available on Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, Google Play, and YouTube.
• I AM disABLEd Documentary featuring 12 young people with disabilities starring Marlee Matlin, following their journey staging the musical Seussical. 80 minutes, official selection of SXSW-EDU Film Festival 2025, airing on PBS and Kanopy.
• Roku Change Makers Short-form documentary series spotlighting everyday people creating meaningful change in their communities, produced by Fresh Films youth filmmakers. Four seasons with 28 youth-created documentaries streaming on The Roku Channel.
• AT&T Hello Sunshine Filmmaker Lab Filmmaker training program hosted by Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine, training young women in documentary filmmaking over 8 days in Los Angeles. Three seasons produced, featuring mentorship from industry professionals.
• Detectives Club Emmy-nominated live-action kids/family TV series featuring kid detectives uncovering truths behind crazy stories. 6 x 25 minute episodes. Available for acquisition and co-production.
• Just Jo Live-action teen comedy series starring Tim Kazurinsky about a character who wakes up in a low-budget superhero comic without superpowers.
• Code 23 Teen medical drama where an unlikely team uses illegal technology to save a dying boy, attracting dangerous interest. In development with Fresh Films youth crew involvement.
• Dearly Departed Spooky comedic series being developed with Imagine Entertainment about a mother-daughter duo who inherit a mansion with unseen inhabitants.
• MISKITS Live-action kids/family series about genetically perfect children who can be ordered on demand, with technical mishaps producing unexpected results. 23 minutes, in development.
• Gwen's World of Weird Live-action tween series about a YouTube celebrity with a psychic sidekick who could be moments away from true fame. 23 minutes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 91% of participants improve collaboration, communication, and time management skills; 91% pass rate for Adobe Premiere Pro certification
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, major and minor.

• 300 EntertainmentflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 2026Fresh Films new partnership with 300 Entertainment, a NY independent record label founded in 2012, gives youth the opportunity to develop and create original music videos for artists HeadHuncho Amir, LuvBlue, and Luhh Dyl. This partnership provides hands-on music video production experience for youth filmmakers.
• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Oscars organization supporting film education and workforce development for underrepresented youth.
• Augustana CollegemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAugustana College is a partner providing support for productions and facilities, including funding for the I AM disABLEd documentary.
• UTA | United Talent AgencyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with major talent agency for industry connections and career pathways for program graduates.
• Sony PicturesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSony Pictures provides industry mentorship and connections for Fresh Films participants through workforce development partnership.
• ParamountflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerContent for Change partnership with Paramount supporting diverse storytelling and workforce development.
• LifetimeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLifetime partnered with Fresh Films to offer paid apprenticeships supporting young women from underserved communities.
• RokuflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFour-year partnership with Roku Originals has produced four seasons of Roku Change Makers documentary series with 28 youth-created documentaries featured on the Roku Channel reaching 90 million viewing households.
• FremantleflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFremantle (producers of American Idol) provides guest speakers and industry training for Fresh Films participants working on documentary productions.
• Tyler Perry StudiosflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTyler Perry Studios partnership providing industry connections and mentorship for youth filmmakers.
• Food NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood Network partnership supporting content creation and industry exposure for youth filmmakers.
• Dolby InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDolby Institute partnership supporting audio technology training for youth filmmakers.
• DellminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDell provides technology support for Fresh Films production and training programs.
• CanonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanon provides camera equipment support for film production training programs.
• Explore Gwinnett Tourism + FilmmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGwinnett Film Office's fifth year supporting Fresh Films' entertainment workforce development programs. They've seen tremendous growth and interest at both high school and college levels, complementing their mission of driving production to Gwinnett County and creating a production-ready workforce.
• The Penguin ProjectmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational theatre program engaging youth with disabilities that partnered with Fresh Films for the I AM disABLEd documentary production.
• Gwinnett CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGwinnett County supports Fresh Films programs through their economic development and workforce initiatives.
• Hello SunshineflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerReese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine co-produced the AT&T Hello Sunshine Filmmaker Lab with Fresh Films, training young women in documentary filmmaking over two seasons.
• Imagine EntertainmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImagine Entertainment is developing 'Dearly Departed' with Fresh Films, a mother-daughter duo spooky comedic adventure film.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ghetto Film School: New York-based nonprofit that provides free film education and professional development to high school and college-aged youth, with locations in the Bronx, LA, and London. Directly comparable to Fresh Films in mission, youth-training model, and industry partnership approach.
• Reel Works: Brooklyn-based nonprofit offering free filmmaking mentorship and production programs for underserved youth ages 14–24. Closely comparable operating model: combines free training, real productions, and industry credentials for diverse youth.
• Spy Hop Productions: Salt Lake City-based nonprofit providing free, mentor-driven media arts training to youth ages 9–19 in film, audio, music, and design. Comparable in combining youth workforce development with production outputs and industry partnerships.
• Scribe Video Center: Philadelphia-based nonprofit media arts education organization offering documentary and film production training to youth and adults, with a focus on community storytelling. Comparable nonprofit, documentary-production, and youth-training orientation.
• DCTV (Downtown Community Television Center): New York-based nonprofit media arts organization providing filmmaking workshops, production facilities, and documentary training to youth and emerging filmmakers. Comparable nonprofit production + training + community storytelling model.
• BRIC Arts Media: Brooklyn-based nonprofit that produces and presents original media, visual art, and performing arts programming, including youth media education. Comparable as a nonprofit media-production organization with a public-mission and youth-training focus.

Broad incumbents

• ITVS (Independent Television Service): National nonprofit that funds, produces, and distributes independent documentary films for public television. Broader-scale incumbent in the same nonprofit documentary-production and public-media distribution space that Fresh Films operates in.
• American Film Institute (AFI): National nonprofit film education organization with conservatory programs, fellowships, and public programming. Comparable as a large-scale nonprofit in film education, though focused on graduate-level training rather than youth access.
• Sesame Workshop: Global nonprofit media and education organization behind Sesame Street, producing educational content for children while funding research and access initiatives. Comparable as a large-scale nonprofit producing children/family media with educational and social-impact missions.
• PBS (Public Broadcasting Service): National non-profit public broadcaster and content distributor that commissions and airs educational and documentary programming — including Fresh Films' I AM disABLEd. Comparable as a mission-aligned nonprofit content distributor in the educational media space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FreshFilmsDT
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/FreshFilms
• Facebookfacebook.com/FreshFilmsDT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dreaming-tree-films
• Instagraminstagram.com/freshfilmsdt

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fresh Films