Outside the Frame Presents Reel Ambitions: Films by Youth Who Have Experienced Homelessness; at Hollywood Theatre November 7

Outside The Frame (OTF) will present Reel Ambitions, a screening block of short films produced by homeless and marginalized youth, on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Hollywood Theatre located at 4122 NE Sandy Blvd.  Click for more information and Tickets which are available on a sliding-scale.

“OTF is thrilled to showcase this inspiring all-ages program with films made by marginalized youth in our community,” said Nili Yosha, executive director, OTF.  “The filmmakers use their voices to tell important, compelling stories brought to life from their own unique perspective.”

  The lineup features films produced by OTF with community partners, including the Pathfinders Network, the Joint Office of Homeless Services, Ground Score Association and more. Films will include "American Teenager," a slice of life drama about a girl living in a motel and "The Spot," a comedy about young people crammed into their first apartment.  

Reel Ambitions is sponsored by the Portland Film Office, Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran, the Beneficial State Bank, Oregon Film, Trillium Community Health Plan and Constructive Ideas General Contracting Services. 

Mic Crenshaw and Sixela in American Teenager

Reel Ambitions will also premiere "My Shoes", a music video by OTF alumnus Talilo Marfil, a Filipino-American rapper and storyteller from Portland who collaborated with Tech N9ne, a legendary independent rapper. On the track, Marfil and Tech N9ne delve into their personal experiences, expressing themes of resilience and overcoming hardships. Support for the project was provided by the Oregon Community Foundation Creative Heights Grant and the Art For Justice Fund. OTF serves as fiscal sponsor and co-producer of the music video.  

My Shoes, Talilo Marfil, out now on all streaming platforms

“On the streets of Portland I learned to use my talent of rapping as a form of survival and a performance for change,” said Marfil.  “Since that time I always had a dream of rapping with Tech N9ne, one of my biggest influences in hip hop. From the streets I cultivated my talent and throughout the years I trained to prepare for the day my dream would come true.”

According to Marfil, “When I got out of prison in 2011, Outside The Frame put a camera in my hands and said ‘go!’ They taught me the skills to direct, film, edit — and most of all believed in me to see projects through. Today I am proud to say that this dream of mine is in collaboration with OTF who helped me make the music video in collaboration with Strange Music and Tech N9ne!”

About Outside the Frame:

Outside the Frame trains homeless and marginalized youth to be directors of their own films and lives, providing a creative outlet, job skills, and a sense of dignity and possibility through filmmaking. Because if homeless youth can make films, they can do anything! For more information: outsidetheframe.org.