Panama, June 14, 2025. 19 young people from 13 to 18 years old received their course completion certification after 3 months of intensive training at the Teenage Cinema production workshop. The new filmmakers have been able to have a solid basis for telling stories using cinematic resources, through grants awarded by the Cinema Board of the Ministry of Culture.

The training partners included Ariel Araúz Barnes and Joaquín Horna Sosa, both leading Panamanian filmmakers with more than 15 years of middle- and middle- experience.

Ariel Araúz said that with this workshop we have been trying to fill a vacuum in the training of films in teens. "In the three months we have been trying to cover the whole production process of a tape," Araúz remarked.

For the final project the participants formed two teams that allowed them to play different roles of production, achieving 8 films in total.

For his part, Joaquín Horna expressed great satisfaction at the end of the process. "We felt the children's enthusiasm about wanting to learn how to tell stories. It was very gratifying to bring our knowledge, we felt our boys very motivated to make a shoot and then watch their work on screen," Horna said.

Sheyla González, who's in charge of the film department of the Ministry of Culture, said that the institution has always been committed to the training of filmmakers. González emphasized the importance of working with the generational revamp.

Through theory, class demonstrations and practical exercises, boys entered into the art and trade of cinema enabling them to use the means to tell stories that are relevant to them and to reflect about Panamanian reality.

They were equipped with tools such as basic script concepts, elements of a story, architecture of three acts to tell stories, basic film concepts: composition and exposure. They also learned from Natural Illumination vs. Controlled Illumination, Basic sound concepts. Using photgun / boom mike, Using flap / wireless mike, Basic direction and production concepts, Retiring for shooting schedule and scene blocking with actors and crew.

The workshop was completely face-to-face and was held at the City of the Arts. Cinema is a team trade and so the commitment and availability of participants at every date of the workshop was crucial.