The logo of the nonprofit organization Reel Dreams And You

Our Mission: Empowering aspiring filmmakers of all ages through education, creativity, and equal opportunity.

Approaching Film with Realism and Optimism

Reel Dreams And You is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping aspiring filmmakers turn their passion into practical careers. Organized by And You Films, the Reel Dreams initiative seeks to provide student and novice filmmakers of all ages and backgrounds with skills and resources valuable to pursuing meaningful careers in the film industry. We are community-based and love collaboration - we welcome partnerships with small businesses in West Volusia and beyond. Above all, we aim to foster a welcoming and encouraging industry built on creativity, positivity, and equal opportunity.

Join Our Community

Reel Dreams And You is currently accepting applications for membership! As a Reel Dreams And You member, you’ll have the opportunity to get involved with a wide variety of outreach programs, including:

  • Quarterly Community Short Films

  • Spooky Empire Film Festival Screening Committee

  • Spooky Empire Film Festival Crew

  • Red Carpet Premieres for Future Filmmakers

  • A Haunted House project for the City of DeLand

  • And more!

Apply For Membership

Next Informational Meeting:
July 5th, 2026 at 1P.M. EST
DeLand Regional Library
RSVP to Attend In-Person or Online

Movie Magic Video Camp

We’re hosting four short film camps in 2026! Over the course of a week, campers will learn audition skills, equipment operation, technical terminology, acting basics, and more from professional industry filmmakers - AND make their own short film!

Open to Rising 3rd - 12th Grade

Learn More & Register

Donate Today

Your donation helps student and novice filmmakers from all walks of life receive educational opportunities and experiences that will help them navigate their future careers. As we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all donations made to Reel Dreams And You are tax-deductible.

We use Zeffy as our primary donations collection system. If you would like to use a different payment option for your donation (PayPal, Venmo, or otherwise), please email Aléa at alea@andyoufilms.com.

Donate
A man stares intently at a camera.
A man wearing a hat sits in a dark film set while people talk around a table behind him.
An individual works at a table in a spooky film set..

Your Donation Funds:

Four people sit on a stage, one talking into a microphone.

(Pictured: The Blair Witch Project cast and director)

  • We believe in fostering a film community that uses lived experiences and knowledge to help newcomers build on what has come before. Reel Dreams And You aims to host quarterly workshops taught by industry veterans in our Central Florida area, on topics such as YouTube for Businesses, Horror Makeup Application, Improv, and more. Our Emmy-winning And You Films team will offer mentorship programs that allow for one-on-one education. And through the Spooky Empire Film Festival, we provide unique opportunities to attend panels and learn from high-profile Hollywood filmmakers at the Spooky Empire convention. Previous guests have included The Blair Witch Project cast and co-director, Saw special effects artist Thomas “Brooklyn” Bellissimo, and “The Movie Crypt” podcast host Joe Lynch.

A large group of people stand in front of a film festival backdrop.

(Pictured: Spooky Empire Film Festival Group Photo)

  • Film Festivals are the lifeblood of the independent filmmaking circuit. As organizers of the Spooky Empire International Horror Film Festival, our team is committed to creating an environment that celebrates and educates student and local filmmakers. At Spooky Empire Film Fest, students can network with other filmmakers and industry professionals, attend informative Q&A’s, gain insights from independent short and feature length films produced from all over the world, and witness their own projects screen for a passionate audience of horror fans. With your help, we can raise enough funds to grant monetary scholarships and awards to attending student filmmakers, encouraging their craft and making future projects possible.

A man with a tree behind him holds a large camera steady.

(Pictured: A film student on an And You Films set)

  • Experience is the greatest teacher, in filmmaking or otherwise. Through on-the-job training on short film and commercial sets, students can learn to use equipment, work cooperatively with filmmakers from different backgrounds, and function in an active production environment. Our Emmy-winning team has provided many opportunities for up-and-coming filmmakers to serve as production assistants, grips, art directors, and more. This valuable experience instills confidence, expands resumes, and develops filmmaking expertise. We hope to raise funds to make family-friendly, community-centered film projects featuring local cast and crew that offer learning and career-growth opportunities for all involved.

Thank You To Our Donors

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  • Aimee Huddleston
    Amanda Cortright
    Amanda Hester
    Andy Painter
    Betty Edwards
    Cameron Meier
    Cesar Cruz
    Crayola Experience Orlando
    Debra Howard
    Donna Higbee
    Elise Holt
    Emilie Schmitz
    Erin Foster Drennan
    Fossil Hunters TV Show
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    Gabriel Aviles
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    Hungyu Kuo
    Jacob Glassmeyer
    Joshua B. Edwards
    Kaley Macomber
    Karma Bath & Body Co.
    Katherine Russell
    Keith Thomas
    Kelly Benge
    Marie Davino
    Mary Hoover
    Maureen York Reynolds
    Megan Cloudman
    Melody Hall
    Michael Gaud
    Michelle Swickard
    Mr. & Mrs. Rogers
    Rachele Hyde Underhill
    Ray Johnson
    Ric Figueroa
    Rick Hall
    Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Orlando
    Sean & Brenda Beery
    Steven Lancefield
    Sunshine Bowling Center
    Taylor Bass
    Trent Duncan
    Whitney Costner
    William Urban
    WonderWorks Orlando

Board of Directors

Aléa Figueroa - President
Will Phillips - Vice President
Allison Struck - Secretary
Kaylee Tatman - Treasurer
Brendan Rogers - Member-at-Large