As part of both Tribeca Teaches: Films in Motion at Bronx Prep Charter School and the Tribeca Youth Screening Series, TFI turned classrooms into movie theaters for two in-school screenings of The Hip Hop Project at Bronx Prep and the Urban Assembly School of Music and Art. Students had the opportunity to do pre and post-screening in-class discussion and watch the film in their own school. Filmmaker Matt Ruskin and film subject Kazi were on-hand to conduct Q&A Sessions with students following the screenings.

The Hip Hop Project, which premiered at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival, is the dynamic story of a group of New York City teenagers who transform their life stories into powerful works of art, using hip hop as a vehicle for self-development and personal discovery. The film traces the evolution of this award-winning outreach program created by Kazi, a formerly homeless teenager turned youth mentor. With the goal of developing a principled group of young artists, Kazi creates a safe environment in which he challenges young people to express themselves freely and write music about the real issues affecting their lives.

The Hip Hop Project, produced by Think Films and Pressure Point Films, will be in theaters nationwide on May 11th.