PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 3, 2023 — From October 20-23, PhillyCAM – the community media center that trains Philadelphians in media production and airs original content on Philadelphia’s public access television and WPPM 106.5 FM – will host its 3rd annual People Power Media (PPM) Fest.
People Power Media Fest is about showcasing creativity that vibrates through the PhillyCAM network and the impact that reverberates– supporting historically marginalized communities with access to equipment, facilities, training, support, and a distribution platform to amplify their voices.
“PPM Fest celebrates PhillyCAM’s radio and television producers for how they are enriching local media by lifting up under-represented voices from Philly’s neighborhoods. This year, the fest is concentrated over four days. We are excited to be hosting multiple opportunities for folks to connect in person to learn, network, and celebrate with our community of media makers,” explains PhillyCAM Executive Director Gretjen Clausing.
Programming in this year’s fest has been focused on lifting up grassroots organizations, media makers, activists, and organizers through critical discussions of the state of media and hands-on workshops to empower the community.
Community Media Day Live + WPPM Anniversary (Friday, October 20 // 5:00 – 8:00PM)
People Power Media Fest kicks off on Community Media Day – a national celebration of voices that brings awareness to the importance of free speech and accessible media for all individuals to have their voices heard. Watch or listen to the live radio and television broadcast marking WPPM’s 7th anniversary of being on the air by tuning in on Comcast 66/966, Verizon 29/30, or WPPM 106.5 FM – then join us at PhillyCAM for a live musical performance by Archpalatine!
Visit PhillyCAM from 5:00 – 7:00 PM to interact with a new photo exhibit, “Telling Our Stories,” a community portrait and oral history project that documents the usage and production of public access media by people of color in Philadelphia by Antoine Haywood.
People Power Forum (Saturday, October 21 // 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
We’ve invited and partnered with professionals all over Philly to bring you fun and exciting in-person sessions, including a gathering of Latine content creators, storytellers, and creatives; a workshop creating a potential op-ed draft of your own; a discussion on solidarity economy; and hands-on activities using A.I. and live video mixing! Registration is required at ppmfest.org/workshops.
Programming will fall under 1 of 3 tracks:
People: Creative Development, Conversations
Power: Journalism, Organizing, Media Literacy
Media: Technical/Hands-On/Strategy
MediaMaker Celebration @ Lightbox Film Center (Sunday, October 22 // 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
The MediaMaker Celebration at the Lightbox Film Center shines a spotlight on creativity that vibrates through the PhillyCAM network and reverberates throughout our city. We’ll have a centerpiece conversation about using media-based storytelling within Philly institutions to promote positive change in our communities, a premiere of recent collaborative filmmaking projects with a Q&A–all topped off with a celebratory reception! Registration is required at ppmfest.org/workshops.
PhillyCAM’s Executive Director Gretjen Clausing will sit down with Anula Shetty, SEPTA’s first media artist in residence, and Erica Atwood, Senior Director for the Managing Director’s Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Criminal Justice & Public Safety, for a conversation about using media based storytelling within Philly institutions to connect us more to one another and promote positive change in our communities.
PhillyCAM Anniversary (Monday, October 23 // 12:00 – 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM)
We’ll be celebrating PhillyCAM’s 14th birthday with special programming on our channel (Comcast 66/966 & Verizon 29/30). Programs will include a replay of a recorded People Power Forum conversation and four member-produced programs highlighting the importance of public access to media. Tune in together with friends & family and grab some popcorn, and host a watch party!
Full schedule of PPM Fest events: www.ppmfest.org.
PPM Fest is made possible with support from the following sponsors:
PhillyCAM programs are supported by grants from Comcast and Verizon cable franchise agreements, Independence Public Media Foundation, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and donations from individual contributors.
About PhillyCAM
PhillyCAM is the non-profit designated by the City of Philadelphia to operate its public access television network (Xfinity 66/966 and Verizon Fios 29/30). PhillyCAM also operates a low-power community radio station, WPPM-FM, which reaches about 800,000 people throughout the Philadelphia region. PhillyCAM provides transformative opportunities for people and communities to express themselves, to learn from each other, and to produce and share media reflective of the experiences of everyday people. PhillyCAM teaches people to create high-quality, non-commercial media. Visit https://phillycam.org.
