From the director: "Rise Up" is a short documentary written, produced, and shot by four African American high-school girls living in Chicago's public housing. Through a series of interconnected vignettes, the film explores the impact of violence on these young women- through their own eyes and in their own words.
Created through a partnership between the Chicago Housing Authority and DePaul University’s School of Cinematic Arts, 15 teenage girls were selected to participate in a documentary filmmaking program. Under guidance, the four girls wrote, produced, shot and starred in their own documentary.
View the trailer below.
John Psathas is an award-winning director and producer based in Chicago. He is known for Bernadette (2017), Happy Birthday Kevin (2016), Milwaukee (2011) and The Corrections (2008). His work for Analog Productions has screened internationally and includes short and feature length narrative and documentary films. Between projects, he teaches as an assistant professor at DePaul University's School of Cinematic Arts.