Focus Media Arts Centre Blogs
Youth Documentary Program at Focus Media Arts Centre Empowers Emerging Storytellers
Focus Media Arts Centre’s Documentary Program is equipping youth with the skills, confidence, and support needed to tell powerful stories about social justice and issues impacting young people today.Through this hands-on program, participants are guided through the full documentary filmmaking process —from developing initial concepts and story ideas to producing and editing a final film. Youth receive training in camera operation, audio recording, video editing, and storytelling, while also learning how to research topics, storyboard their ideas, and pitch their projects. With access to professional equipment and dedicated mentorship, participants are supported at every stage of their journey.
For many, the program is not just about learning technical skills, but also about building confidence and finding their voice. As one participant, Tracy, shared in her reflection, the experience was “an amazing eye-opening experience” that introduced her to the world of filming, news reporting, and on-camera presentation. Over time, she developed confidence speaking on camera, improved her technical abilities, and gained hands-on experience in editing, camera work, and sound production.
Tracy also highlighted the importance of the supportive environment at Focus, noting that staff were “very understanding and encouraging,” especially during challenging moments. With consistent skill building feedback, access to industry-standard equipment, and guidance on story development and pitching, she was able to bring her documentary to life step by step.
Programs like this demonstrate the critical impact of Focus Media Arts Centre in removing barriers to media education and expression. By offering free, high-quality training and mentorship, Focus is creating opportunities for youth to develop practical skills, express themselves creatively, and engage with important community issues—ensuring that the next generation of storytellers is both empowered and heard.
U of T Urban Studies Students Facilitated by Focus Mee to tell Regent Park Stories
Students from the Urban Studies program at the University of Toronto recently partnered with Focus Media Arts Centre through their URB236 course to explore the ongoing Regent Park revitalization while building hands-on, community-focused journalism skills.
Focus Media Arts Centre played a central role in supporting this work by providing students with comprehensive training and mentorship across the full interview production process. This included guidance on how to identify, approach, and coordinate with interview participants, as well as hands-on training in the use of professional camera and audio equipment. Students were also supported in developing thoughtful, community-centred interview questions and ethical storytelling practices, ensuring their work reflects the voices and experiences of residents with care and respect.
With this support, students are producing a series of short videos examining key issues in Regent Park, including community consultation, affordable housing and displacement, the impact on youth, and changes to small businesses. Through interviews with residents, community leaders, and researchers, the project captures a diverse range of perspectives on the neighbourhood’s ongoing revitalization.
This collaboration demonstrates the critical impact of Focus Media Arts Centre’s work in equipping emerging storytellers with the skills, tools, and mentorship needed to document complex community issues. By lowering barriers to media access and centring local voices, Focus continues to play a vital role in strengthening community storytelling and civic engagement.
The Changing Cultures of Regent Park - Participant Reflection
Zahra Oman reflects upon the Changing Culture Course: a partnership between Focus Media Arts Centre and U of T involving U of T students and residents of Regent Park."This course brought me happiness I didn’t expect to find in school. For the first time in my academic journey, I could fully intertwine my lived experiences in Regent Park with my academics and share them in a way that felt authentic and deeply meaningful. It wasn’t just about doing research or producing media; it was about telling a story that’s mine and my community’s in a space where people were ready to learn. It was a space where my voice and knowledge felt valued. Before this class, I often thought I didn’t belong at U of T. I used to rush home after lectures and back to my community, where I felt most like myself. But this course changed that. For the first time, I wanted to stay. I looked forward to each class because it felt like a place where I was seen and my experiences mattered. It reminded me that what I’ve lived through has value in that it can shape learning, planning, and how we talk about cities. I met people who genuinely cared and were open to learning about Regent Park without judgment, and that made the classroom feel safe. This course didn’t feel like work. It felt like a passion project, allowing me to give back to my community while educating others. Out of all the courses I’ve taken, this one stands out as my favorite. Not because it was easy, but because it was honest. It reminded me that school doesn’t have to be separate from the world I live in. In fact, when those two things come together, something really powerful can happen. "
By Zahra Oman
Engaged Journalism Conference 2025
The 2025 Engaged Journalism Conference was held at The Metropolitan University, bringing together journalists, educators, and media practitioners to explore the successes, challenges, and funding strategies behind community-based journalism initiatives. The event was co-organized by Gabriela Perdomo Páez of Mount Royal University and Magda Konieczna of Concordia University, with Anita Li of The Green Line serving as co-host.
Huggins traced the roots of the Focus Media Arts Centre to its beginnings in Regent Park, Toronto, where it emerged from a grassroots effort to challenge the negative stigmatization of the neighborhood. Through television, radio, and print, the Centre has provided platforms for community voices for over three decades.
Huggins’s journey into media and community work began after graduating from George Brown College’s Community Worker Diploma Program in 1988. He later earned a BA in Theatre at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, where he performed in lead roles with a Black theatre company affiliated with the Nova Scotia Black Cultural Centre. The company's mission—to confront Canada’s racist history and highlight the ongoing struggles of Black communities—deeply influenced Huggins’s later work in Regent Park.
Returning to Toronto in 1991, Huggins joined a newly formed resident group focused on youth engagement through the arts. This initiative eventually grew into the Focus Media Arts Centre, a hub for community-driven storytelling through multiple media platforms. The conference also featured breakout sessions where attendees discussed a range of topics, including sustainable funding, community engagement, and strategies for promoting news content. These sessions fostered collaboration and knowledge-sharing among participants working to redefine the role of journalism in community empowerment.
The event was made possible through support from J-Schools Canada; the Centre for Journalism Experimentation (JEX) at Concordia University; the School of Journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University; the Department of Arts, Culture and Media and Journalism Joint Program at University of Toronto Scarborough; the Rideau Hall Foundation; and Facts and Frictions.
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