The Rhode Island Black Film Festival(RIBFF) launched Beyond the Lens Academy in Spring of 2022. After months of planning in partnership with Johnson & Wales University College of Arts *& Sciences the first class of high school students participated in the two day program.  Students from Classical High School, Providence Career & Technical Academy, LaSalle Academy, Newport Vocational and Portsmouth High School spent two days with the filmmakers, 

videographers, Rhode Island Office of Film & Television and IATSE local union to learn the careers and areas of study  as a film major. The  Rhode Island Black Film Festival congratulates our inaugural class of students.