Sophia tackled the difficult topic of the missing girls of Asia for her submission to Schooldocs. She talked to NewsHour Extra about why she wanted to take on this subject, and how filmmaking has taught her to become a better problem solver. Check out her short film here.

The Missing from Sophia Pink on Vimeo.

What is your film about and why did you choose the subject?
The film is about the startling disappearance of girls from Asia and other parts of the world. Because of the cultural preference for boys, many couples are having abortions when they learn their fetus is female. The consequences of the resulting gender imbalance are dire. I chose this subject because it's a hugely important issue that nobody knows about. By getting people to think about girls and women disappearing, it's a way for them to understand the issue and maybe even do something about it.

Why did you decide to become a filmmaker?
A few years ago, when I was in 7th grade, my school, Washington International School, started a film festival. I'd never made a film before, so a few friends and I decided to give it a try. That got me hooked. Why? It's challenging to take a complex topic or story and reduce it to just a few minutes. It's fun to go from something invisible (an idea) to a finished product.  And it's satisfying to see how audiences react.  

Do the skills you learned in filmmaking help you in other aspects of your life?
Absolutely.

First, making a film, even the short films that I've made, involves a lot of planning. Taking "pre-production" seriously is helpful not just in movie-making -- but in everything from writing essays to doing science experiments. Second, it's helped me get better at making decisions on the fly. Not everything works out as you've planned it. Filmmaking taught me how to come up with solutions to unexpected problems and do it quickly, which is useful at school and at home.  Finally, I've learned a lot about patience and tenacity. I think I'm realizing that every project you really care about takes much longer than you expect!
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Sydney profiled several blind students who are learning valuable skills to live independently. She spoke with NewsHour Extra about collaborating with non-profits and how storytelling inspires her to make films. Take a look at the short film she worked on here.

Independence in Sight from Sydney Paige on Vime

What is your film about, and why did you choose that subject?
Independence In Sight is about the students at The Hatlen Center for the Blind who gain independence through learning living skills such as cleaning, cooking, financial management, traveling, and using technological tools. 

I made Independence In Sight, along with Lauren Lindberg, Bonita Tindle, and Julian Compagni-Portis, as a part of The Bay Area Video Coalition's youth program, “The Factory”. Each summer, The Factory connects its young filmmakers with non-profit organizations through Community Filmmaking Partnership. Independence In Sight is a product of one of these partnerships. We wanted to provide the Hatlen Center with a video to aid them with fundraising and recruiting purposes, as well as tell the inspirational story of the students seen in the film.

Why did you decide to become a filmmaker?
I enjoy telling stories and I have found film is a great medium to do this. I became a documentary filmmaker because I enjoy learning, which is exactly what the filmmaking process is for me. I then get to share with others the interesting stories of people, places and events while entertaining them though images and sound.

Do the skills you learned in filmmaking help you in other aspects of your life?
Filmmaking has opened my eyes to just about everything. It has taught me to approach new situations with an open mind, to ask questions, and to dig deeper.