Our Story
Cherry Street Films was founded in 2015 by Travis and Kanani Koster motivated by their shared vision and dedication to creating equitable spaces for community storytelling and filmmaking. Over the years, Cherry Street Films has evolved into two branches, education and production, both of which carry this ethos through the work we do.
Production work is focused on narrative shorts, documentary and music videos. For stories that are led by underrepresented voices, check out the Travel Oregon funded women motorcycle doc Any Oregon Sunday, or the narrative short thriller, No Spectators Allowed, or dreamy music videos like Apricot’s “You” 2022 video.
For over 7 years, Cherry Street Films have also been partnering with communities throughout the Pacific NW to provide digital storytelling and filmmaking programs for middle and high school students in classrooms and Summer camps. Community Partners Include: University of Washington, Leadership Preparatory Academy, Summit Public Schools, Islandwood, Seattle Parks & Recreation, King County, Disjecta Contemporary Art Center, World Forestry Center and many other civic, educational and arts organizations.
Cherry Street has recently reaffirmed its commitment to empower young aspiring filmmakers by launching NW FILM CAMP. These programs are mindful of holding space for our BIPOC and LGBTQ communities by creating a safe, supportive and inviting environment to create and share their voices. Several different programs are available online and in person with camp locations in Portland OR, Vancouver WA, and Kirkland WA. Each session this Summer strives to cultivate critical thinkers who learn to use their voice to drive creative change in their community.
With a commitment to supporting marginalized families, scholarships are available. A minimum of 20 percent of classroom enrollment spaces are held and dedicated to serving students who need financial support thanks to our individual donors and sponsors. Students who complete our programs learn to build the confidence, community awareness and social skills necessary for a successful academic and professional life as well as ownership of their own stories.
