AMI builds community leadership

The Appalachian Media Institute (AMI) provides teens with the opportunity to learn new media technology while developing their capacity for leadership, artistic selfreflection, communication, and education. According to Rebecca O'Doherty, AMI's director, documentary production is a kind of resistance that sustains young people's positive connection to traditional Appalachian culture while "helping them realize they have knowledge and stories they should be telling."

AMI released three youth-produced video documentaries during the summer of 2009. Mayfield Pennington, portraying Pikeville's legendary boxer's work with youth in the community; Gold in the Water, about water quality in eastern Kentucky; and Just a Little Bit Normal, a story about ADHD, were screened for a community audience of more than 100 on August 7. During May and June AMI youth created a remarkable, interactive installation in downtown Whitesburg.

Appalshop's Appalachian Media Institute (AMI) and intern Allie Mullins are featured in the October issue of Unicef's Media Magic Digest, which includes video excerpts from Summer Documentary Institute videos.