Boston’s own 15-year-old filmmaker, Moses, has inspired his community with his documentary, “Mattapan,” which won Best Documentary in the 18-and-Under category at the Scout Film Festival in December 2022. Moses and his friends from the Mattapan Teen Center are currently filming their second documentary, aiming to showcase other neighborhoods’ perspectives, including Hyde Park and Roxbury.
Early Passion for Filmmaking
Moses’ passion for filmmaking started at the age of 7 when he first picked up his mother’s camera. Since then, he has been producing mini-projects with his friends, which he describes as “super cringey videos,” but it was the start of his journey towards becoming a successful filmmaker.
Challenging Perceptions of Mattapan
Moses and his team’s first documentary, “Mattapan,” aimed to challenge the audience’s perceptions of the neighborhood by focusing on the positive sides of work in a dynamic, creative community. The red carpet premiere in May 2022 at the Teen Center was a community-building celebration, and it received critical acclaim from the audience and the Scout Film Festival. Moses was thrilled by the success and said, “It’s so amazing! The world is endless!”
A Lesson in Exceptional Time Management
Moses sees the creative process as energizing and a lesson in exceptional time management. He and his friends from the Mattapan Teen Center are currently filming their second documentary, which is an excellent example of his time management skills. Moses says that the creative struggle builds great character and that he has been doing this for nine years strong. His older brother, King David, is also a fellow filmmaker.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Creators
When they are not making movies, Moses and some of the other teens teach video production at the MTC, where their interests coincide with learning curves. The goal of their second documentary is to invite audiences to learn about the city’s neighborhoods through the eyes of the people who live there. They are currently interviewing people on a range of issues, including climate change and neighborhood reconstruction. The Record Co. founder, Matt McArthur, has already been interviewed and said, “I want to see the documentary that Moses makes because I’m not Moses, and I want to know what Moses is seeing when he looks around.”
Looking Ahead
When asked where he hopes to be in ten years, Moses said that he would like to be well-known for what he does and that he is passionate about filmmaking. He wants to continue telling stories and putting them on the big screen, which makes him feel good.
Moses is a role model for his peers and an inspiration for his community. He has shown that with hard work, passion, and exceptional time management skills, anyone can achieve their dreams. His success has not only challenged the audience’s perceptions of his neighborhood but has also inspired the next generation of creators to pursue their passions.
