Founded by educator Adrienne Slover and filmmaker Evan Goldberg, Reel Start provides deserving students from underrepresented communities the hands-on opportunity to learn that film can deliver powerful messages to the public and drive social change. Reel Start students in Toronto and Los Angeles explore behind-the-camera opportunities in the entertainment industry while also developing media literacy skills. Learning from guest speakers, workshops and visits to active productions, the students gain an understanding of the industry while simultaneously using these new skills to write and develop a short film addressing a social issue that is meaningful to them. The program culminates with the students collaborating with an all volunteer cast and crew as they bring their script to life in a single day.