Success Story: Haiti’s Filmmaking Academy

OSF Team • April 30, 2026
  • Success Story: Haiti’s Filmmaking Academy Orphaned Starfish Andy Stein

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  • Success Story: Haiti’s Filmmaking Academy Orphaned Starfish Andy Stein

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  • Success Story: Haiti’s Filmmaking Academy Orphaned Starfish Andy Stein

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  • Success Story: Haiti’s Filmmaking Academy Orphaned Starfish Andy Stein

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  • Success Story: Haiti’s Filmmaking Academy Orphaned Starfish Andy Stein

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  • Success Story: Haiti’s Filmmaking Academy Orphaned Starfish Andy Stein

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  • Success Story: Haiti’s Filmmaking Academy Orphaned Starfish Andy Stein

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  • Success Story: Haiti’s Filmmaking Academy Orphaned Starfish Andy Stein

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  • Success Story: Haiti’s Filmmaking Academy Orphaned Starfish Andy Stein

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For years, Kendy and Kenderson carried a vision—to create a space in Haiti where young people, especially those growing up without opportunity, could discover their voice through film, music, and the arts. Today, that vision is no longer an idea. It is real, built piece by piece through persistence, faith, and the support of a committed community.


Kendy and Kenderson—childhood friends who grew up without families and are now award-winning artists. With no mentors, limited resources, and no safety net, they taught themselves filmmaking and music through determination and whatever access they could find. What they built out of hardship has now become something much greater: an opportunity for others.


A dream fulfilled, a future opened.


The journey to this moment required patience and resilience. As the academy began taking shape, every detail mattered—from securing resources to designing a space that could truly inspire creativity. An updated budget helped map out the final phase, ensuring that every remaining need was addressed with clarity and purpose. The goal was clear: to prepare for a strong and meaningful launch. There were challenges along the way. Acquiring the necessary equipment took longer than expected, as items were not immediately available and had to be transported from Port-au-Prince to Les Cayes. Delays tested patience, but the process moved forward with determination. In the end, everything arrived, and the academy began to feel tangible—no longer a plan, but a place.


As the equipment was installed and organized, the vision fully came to life. The space now includes a classroom designed to welcome up to twelve students, a music studio where creativity can be expressed freely, and a workspace that also functions as a video editing studio. Each corner was built with intention—to reflect excellence, dignity, and possibility. Beyond the physical space, the mission continues to grow.

Curriculum development is underway, ensuring that students will not only have access to tools, but also to structured learning and mentorship. The goal is not simply to teach skills, but to cultivate confidence, discipline, and creative expression.


The impact of this work is already being felt. During a recent field visit to Bero—an area where access to technology is extremely limited—Kendy and Kenderson connected directly with the community. The experience was both humbling and affirming, revealing just how great the need is, and how powerful this initiative can become.

 

With the Right Support Everything Changes


Now, the academy stands on the threshold of its official launch, planned for the second week of May. The opening will begin with a “Creative Day,” where each participant will have the opportunity to create and showcase something of their own—a powerful first step in discovering their voice.


None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of those who believed in the vision from the beginning. Their trust made it possible to build something thoughtful, intentional, and impactful. What started as a dream has become a living space of opportunity—one that will shape lives for years to come.


This is more than an academy. It is proof that with perseverance, support, and purpose, something beautiful can rise—even from the most difficult beginnings.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OSF. YOU ARE NOT ONLY CHANGING LIVES, YOU ARE NOW SAVING THEM AS WELL.

 

Please continue to give at www.osf.org/donate


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