Mississippi Delta Film Academy

1. What it is & who’s behind it

The Mississippi Delta Film Academy is a hands-on, two-week summer program that brings together high school students from across the Delta. It’s hosted by the Emmett Till Interpretive Center and led by Dr. Davis Houck and Dr. Pablo Correa—two passionate educators from Florida State University who believe in the power of stories to inspire change. They’re joined by RJ Fitzpatrick, who plays a key role in guiding students through hands-on filmmaking, offering mentorship, and helping bring their creative visions to life.

2. What students do

Over two weeks, students learn every step of making a documentary—from filming and interviewing to editing and storytelling. They dive deep into the history of the Civil Rights Movement and the Delta’s unique legacy, visiting important places like Drew, Sumner, and Mound Bayou. The program wraps up with a public screening so students can share their work with the community.

3. How the program supports them

Students get more than just training—they receive meals, a stipend, and access to professional-grade cameras, microphones, and editing software. The environment is encouraging and collaborative, with mentors like Houck, Correa, and Fitzpatrick guiding them every step of the way.

4. The bigger picture

Each summer, the Academy chooses a theme. In 2021, students made Army Rising Up, a film about Fannie Lou Hamer. More recently, projects have focused on telling Emmett Till’s story and supporting the designation of the Emmett Till & Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument. Funding from organizations like the National Education Association Foundation, Mississippi Arts Commission, and National Endowment for the Arts makes all of this possible.

Student Spotlight

Take Myeisha Wright, for example—she joined the Academy three years in a row. Now, she’s using her skills to create content for the Mound Bayou Museum of African American Culture & History. She’s living proof that this program changes lives.