At just 15 years old, San Diego, Calif., U.S.A. native Kalahari Lewis-Campbell is already breaking barriers in the world of filmmaking.
During this year’s fifth annual Black Girls Film Camp, Lewis-Campbell will serve as one of the youngest featured filmmakers, showcasing her latest short film and participating in mentorship panels to inspire the next generation of Black girl storytellers.
This transformative program is designed to uplift and support young Black women in film, providing young creatives like Lewis-Campbell an opportunity to make a powerful impact in reshaping how Black stories are told.
As a standout student at California Online Public Schools, Lewis-Campbell has welcomed a rigorous academic path that allows her to travel, learn and grow her filmmaking craft. Her insatiable commitment to education has enabled her to balance her responsibilities while exploring her creative outlet in filmmaking.
A vibrant mix of cultures and diversity continue to influence Lewis-Campbell’s work as a filmmaker. Her early exposure to her mother’s Mississippi roots and father’s second-generation Jamaican American lineage combine an explosion of culture. Despite that heritage, Lewis-Campbell often found it difficult to connect with her Jamaican roots.
“All I’ve ever known was California and the United States,” she reflects, recalling how school assignments about family heritage posed a unique challenge.
Despite a relatively smaller Black population in San Diego compared to the rural U.S. South, the multicultural makeup of San Diego played a significant role in shaping Lewis-Campbell’s worldview. With the city’s proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border, she grew up among strong Latino and Filipino communities. She attended a Spanish immersion program, where Spanish was the first language she learned to read, write and express herself in.
“The first essays I ever wrote were in Spanish,” she recalls.
Beyond the language itself, the curriculum emphasized cultural education, celebrating holidays and traditions as well as fostering an understanding of Latin American cultures. This immersion into another culture at such a young age shaped her storytelling instincts.
PASSION FOR STORYTELLING
“Film, to me, is about telling stories about people,” she explains. “Being able to learn about cultures outside my own really inspired me. I think that shaped the way I want to tell stories — stories that connect people through shared experiences.”
Lewis-Campbell’s journey as a young Black female filmmaker amplifies the power and potential of emerging Black creators. Her debut short film, “Just-As-Poetic,” is set to premiere on June 21 and addresses a deeply resonant issue: the representation gap of Black girls in media. Her work not only showcases her talent but also shines a spotlight on the need for authentic stories told from underrepresented perspectives.
Being able to learn about cultures outside my own really inspired me.
‘REPRESENTATION IS EVERYTHING’
“I’ve always been passionate about storytelling, but I didn’t see many people who looked like me in the media I consumed,” Lewis-Campbell says. She credits the Black Girls Film Camp with equipping her with the tools, mentorship and community support to bring her vision to life.
“Representation is everything,” she says. “I want to make sure that the next generation of Black girls knows they can see themselves as the main character, as the storyteller.”
The Black Girls Film Camp, a program that has been previously covered by Culturs, plays a pivotal role in providing a platform for aspiring filmmakers like Lewis-Campbell. The camp, which offers mentorship, hands-on filmmaking experience and exposure to industry professionals, is more than just a learning environment — it’s a launchpad for young women to realize their potential in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
The nurturing and inviting environment encourages growth and exploration, much like a healthy ecosystem that is harmoniously aligned and nourished.
By helping young Black girls develop their skills and create films that showcase their unique perspectives, the camp is not only providing an opportunity for personal growth but also empowering these creators to become change agents in the media landscape. Lewis-Campbell’s upcoming film is one such example of how the camp is setting its participants up for success in a real-world context.
Lewis-Campbell’s passion for filmmaking goes far beyond the art itself — it’s a commitment. The schoolwork and arduous task of completing her first project almost seem impossible to her, but this young filmmaker is learning the drill.
“It’s a hustle. I am constantly juggling my school projects and film projects, but it is worth it,” she says.
