Written by Laaiba Mahmood
Contributions by Rajaiah Jones & Jonah Cramer
Docutribe recently attended the CAMP Film + Fest in Austin, TX—a two-day film festival hosted by Creator Camp—creating a space for filmmakers, predominantly from Gen Z, and fans to share their creative work, learn from each other and discuss the future of film beyond Hollywood.
“This isn’t just your average film festival, but an experience that celebrates all creatives who aspire to create art that moves people,” the group states on their website. “[The] hope is that [the] event marks the start of a new chapter. An opportunity to show the world what the internet is capable of and to inspire the next generation of filmmakers.”
Creator Camp’s mission? to “bring more meaningful stories to the internet.”
Since there are still disparities in what stories get funded on a larger scale, now is the best time for documentary filmmakers to take advantage of alternative tools and platforms to produce their films and reach their audiences, including digital spaces.
Now more than ever, new filmmakers are turning to alternative modes of distribution to share their work. With platforms like YouTube and TikTok allowing for short- and long-form content, digital creators can meet their audiences where they’re at.
But now, at this festival, these digital creators—from YouTubers to social media creators—made it clear that they are looking for more meaningful ways to share their stories beyond the confines of digital spaces.
CAMP Film + Fest was born out of this landscape, offering online filmmakers and creators a fresh opportunity to bring shorts and features from the internet to the big screen.
As fierce advocates for democratizing filmmaking, Docutribe is excited to support the conversations rising up from the next generation of filmmakers who are sharing their stories in new, enticing creative ways.
Why organize a film festival for online creators?
CAMP Film + Fest was organized by the filmmakers behind Creator Camp. Their goal is to give online creators the opportunity to come together in-person to create, direct and share their own stories. The event acted as a foundation and path for online filmmakers to be recognized for their work, which is often largely done in isolated siloed spaces.
Bringing together a generation of kids who grew up watching and following online personalities, the audience got to experience interactive workshops and witness keynote speakers that they’ve watched online for years, bringing together a sense of community.
With 1,200 people in attendance, the weekend featured workshops; notable speakers, including: Yes Theory, Natalie Lynn, Gawx, The Film Archives Podcast, Kane Pixels and Wesley Wang; an Epidemic Seeing-Sound Pop Up; Script-to-Screen Gallery; and support from creator-focused brands, including: Patreon, Epidemic Sound, Notion, and Shop.
The filmmakers, storytellers and creatives that convened at CAMP Film + Fest have taken on the roles of producer and distributor to push their stories beyond the traditional style of content creation on social media platforms. They want their stories to be recognized as something more than the next viral video that comes and goes away with a mere swipe.
The event organizers aimed to provide solutions to two main issues:
The gap between Hollywood and internet filmmakers and storytellers
The lack of recognition for online filmmakers and their works, in particular those filmmakers that has risen in recognition within and in alignment with YouTube as it grew as a popular platform
Recognition Beyond Hollywood
The mainstream filmmaking industry is saturated with franchises and remakes. The film business model is often focused on lowering the risk in film manufacturing and being a money-maker for the large studios. Therefore, “everyone” wants to produce the next big hit. As a result, we have lost the space for creative freedom.
Despite the best efforts of advocates, there is still little room for original, diverse voices and perspectives in writers’ rooms and beyond.
Production and distribution companies such as A24 and NEON Rated have attempted to create space for independent films, but the space remains exclusive and out of reach for most.
The festival offered a solution to a lack of spaces for independent filmmakers and their audiences to gather and create community around a shared interest—fresh, authentic storytelling.
The festival truly gave independent filmmakers and creators the opportunity to showcase how they produce and direct their stories. These stories were diverse in experience, point of view, and featured unique voices.
Creating Spaces: What’s Next?
Going forward, the creators, storytellers, and their audiences are looking to bring authentic storytelling to the platforms they use to reach out even further than the algorithm.
Speakers shared their creative processes and advised attendees to create what resonates with them and the right audience will find them.
They reminded the audience that in the age of social media, you don't need a streaming service or a production company to make good art that resonates with people. What matters is integrity, sustainability and creating work that brings you closer to your goals.
Docutribe’s Social Innovation Fellow Jonah Cramer spoke with Jack Conte, CEO of Patreon, about what spaces for independent filmmakers could look like. He envisioned more accessible theater screenings of creator films, similar to how some creators were doing them at the festival.
Camp Creator’s CAMP Film + Fest was a step toward bridging the gap between Hollywood and online filmmakers. By bringing in creators that have successfully built an online audience that support their work, the group showed just how wide the reach of internet filmmakers is.
From zero-budget films to democratizing the filmmaking process, Docutribe is excited to partner with individuals and organizations championing new forms of storytelling to reach their audiences in creative ways.
