This is Important!

Kayla L.

• Artist Statement

  I created "This is Important!" at a film camp this summer. I was thinking a lot about the pressure that my peers and I feel to do well academically, get into the "perfect" school, and manage to stay cool on top of it all. I personally struggle a lot with expectations that others place on me, and I wanted to create a narrative that spoke to this. I hope that this story shows other people that they're not alone in feeling pressure or stress.

• Creative Statement

  Exploring and expressing my creativity impacts my life because it gives me confidence and empathy: with my camera, I feel empowered to look at social issues closer, be vulnerable in storytelling, and find beauty in the world around me.