Kids In The Spotlight Script-to-Screen Program
14200 Aetna St, Van Nuys, CA 91401
About
Kids In The Spotlight Script-to-Screen Program focuses on storytelling and filmmaking, with youth writing, casting, and starring in their own short films. The program includes activities such as writing short films, casting short films, and starring in short films, along with career training and workforce development. Filmmaking programs are also offered on-site at foster residential facilities and partnering agencies, engaging entertainment professionals in the process.
• Ages: 12–18 years old
Since its establishment in 2009, Kids In The Spotlight (KITS) has worked with youth impacted by foster care, juvenile institutions, and economic instability through its Script-to-Screen programming, serving more than 1030 youth. The mission of KITS is empowering foster and opportunity youth to heal, grow, and succeed through storytelling, filmmaking, and career training. KITS was founded by a Black woman, and its staff are 91% people of color, its Teaching Artists 81%, and its Board 57%, with 10% of staff and Board having lived experience in the foster care system.
KITS partners with entertainment professionals to run filmmaking programs on-site at foster residential facilities and partnering agencies throughout Southern California all year round. Each program year culminates in the annual KITS Film Awards, an Oscar-style celebration that recognizes achievements and premieres the films on the silver screen. Therapists and representatives from the Department of Children and Family Services state that, because KITS empowers foster youth to tell their stories their way, the program is one of L.A.’s most effective tools for teaching local foster youth to take ownership of their lives.
KITS programming has remained free of charge to the youth served, supported by funders who underwrite the costs. Selected KITS programs and services are supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. In-kind partners such as Radford Studio Center, MBS Equipment Company, and Paramount Pictures Studios provide key grip and lighting equipment, props, and camera equipment at industry standard levels to make productions possible.
KITS PSWP (Production Studio with Purpose) is a certified Social Enterprise, with L.A. Department of Economic Opportunity certification #100439, and offers over 5300 square feet of full-service production space for filmmakers. The program is not education-based and does not require education as a prerequisite to involvement, and it supports participants in pursuing their passion for the arts, filmmaking, or other areas of the creative economy. The program prepares youth for entry-level jobs and media arts internships, connects them with a network of industry peers and mentors, and builds their self-confidence to pursue higher education.
Last updated July 25, 2026.
• Ages: 12–18 years old
Since its establishment in 2009, Kids In The Spotlight (KITS) has worked with youth impacted by foster care, juvenile institutions, and economic instability through its Script-to-Screen programming, serving more than 1030 youth. The mission of KITS is empowering foster and opportunity youth to heal, grow, and succeed through storytelling, filmmaking, and career training. KITS was founded by a Black woman, and its staff are 91% people of color, its Teaching Artists 81%, and its Board 57%, with 10% of staff and Board having lived experience in the foster care system.
KITS partners with entertainment professionals to run filmmaking programs on-site at foster residential facilities and partnering agencies throughout Southern California all year round. Each program year culminates in the annual KITS Film Awards, an Oscar-style celebration that recognizes achievements and premieres the films on the silver screen. Therapists and representatives from the Department of Children and Family Services state that, because KITS empowers foster youth to tell their stories their way, the program is one of L.A.’s most effective tools for teaching local foster youth to take ownership of their lives.
KITS programming has remained free of charge to the youth served, supported by funders who underwrite the costs. Selected KITS programs and services are supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, and the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. In-kind partners such as Radford Studio Center, MBS Equipment Company, and Paramount Pictures Studios provide key grip and lighting equipment, props, and camera equipment at industry standard levels to make productions possible.
KITS PSWP (Production Studio with Purpose) is a certified Social Enterprise, with L.A. Department of Economic Opportunity certification #100439, and offers over 5300 square feet of full-service production space for filmmakers. The program is not education-based and does not require education as a prerequisite to involvement, and it supports participants in pursuing their passion for the arts, filmmaking, or other areas of the creative economy. The program prepares youth for entry-level jobs and media arts internships, connects them with a network of industry peers and mentors, and builds their self-confidence to pursue higher education.
Last updated July 25, 2026.
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