Over 30 Years of Impact

“AMI taught me how to use my voice, for myself and for the sake of others. The people I’ve met here, and the lessons I’ve learned here will stay with me forever.”

- Madison Buchanan, Summer Documentary Institute Intern 2019-2020, SDI Peer Trainer 2021, AMI Convergent Media Fellow 2022

Over 300 Interns

The Appalachian Media Institute is honored to continue to educate the youth of Appalachia, not only in media making and media literacy, but also in community building and appreciation.

In its time, AMI has touched the lives of over 300 young people from a variety of rural communities across the Appalachian region. We’ve had interns from over 28 high schools across Kentucky, Virginia, and Ohio. Our interns have gone to seek higher education at over 26 colleges, universities, and technical schools, or gone directly into the workforce.

Our interns have worked to not only learn the process of filmmaking but have been deeply involved in discussions on the issues that have plagued Appalachia; economic, ecological, social, and more.

We encourage our interns to look deeper into the world in which they live and to see the truths hidden in every tree, every holler, every face, and every mile of this rich and beautiful tapestry of stories and experiences that we call home — Appalachia. We are proud to encourage young people to use their own voices to tell stories that matter to them and their communities.

Over 200 Pieces of Media

From traditional Appalachian death rites to school consolidation; from exploring broadband access or the lack thereof to the plight of women in the workforce; from hoe making to the struggles of fighting back against a pipeline affecting a community’s water supply — AMI interns have completed over 200 pieces of media ranging from documentary video, animation, radio journalism, and more. Our interns have taken community values to heart and produced pieces exploring “The True Cost of Coal.” They’ve shown the resilience of young LGBTQ+ Appalachians who are “Out and Out.” Appalachian Media Institute interns have wondered, is there truly “Justice For All” in America?

Our film catalog is a snapshot of what it means to be young in the Appalachian region. It is a series of moments frozen in time showing the world what stories our young people have felt are important to tell every year over the period of our 34 year history.

You can find the AMI catalog here on Vimeo or on the Appalshop Youtube page. Also, keep an eye on the Appalachian Media Institute Facebook page for updates.

Countless Opportunities

The work of AMI youth producers has traveled far outside the realms of the central Appalachian region. Our works have been heard on NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Our films have screened at various locations, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, Sundance Film Festival, Boone Docs Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival’s youth branch CineYouth Festival, and The American Museum of Natural History's Margaret Mead Film Festival. Our productions have been broadcast on Kentucky Education Television and we’ve been recognized with the Coming Up Taller award presented by Hillary Clinton.

While documentaries made by AMI youth producers have been seen by audiences from across the United States and across the world, many pieces have had their biggest impacts in local dialogues and debates surrounding issues such as domestic violence, prejudice, drug abuse, and youth activism.

Youth who excel in our youth programming are encouraged to continue their media careers with us by seeking collaboration opportunities, when available, to work alongside the full-time filmmakers of Appalshop’s Film Department.