Frame by Frame: Cinema’s Cult Classics
(Spring 2026)
Registration is open.
Grades: 9th–12th
Time: 4:00–7:00 PM
Dates: April 13–June 8, 2026
Session Length: 8 Classes. One Day/Week, Mondays
Cost: $425
Camp and Course Policies at the Lab
Scholarships are available for participants with financial need. Scholarships are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to apply now.
Frame by Frame: Cinema’s Cult Classics
Get ready to dive into some of the most beloved unconventional films ever made. In this course for high school students, we’ll explore movies that have gained dedicated followings over time, dissecting their cultural significance, unconventional storytelling, and the reasons they continue to resonate with audiences long after their initial release. From the comic book style editing of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, to the feminist edge of Sucker Punch, to the dissection of identity in The Breakfast Club, we’ll uncover what makes a film a “cult classic” while building introductory cinema studies knowledge. That’s so fetch.
Students will view eight films: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Sucker Punch, The Breakfast Club, Donnie Darko, Saturday Night, Daisies, Before Sunrise, and Mean Girls.
Parents and guardians, please note the rating of each film below to determine if this course will be appropriate for your child before registering.
Course Dates:
4/13 – Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (PG-13) – 2010
4/20 – Sucker Punch (PG-13) – 2011
4/27 – The Breakfast Club (R) – 1985
5/4 – Donnie Darko (R) – 2001
5/11 – Saturday Night (R) – 2024
5/18 – Daisies (Not Rated) – 1966
5/25 – No Class
6/1 – Before Sunrise (R) – 1995
6/8 – Mean Girls (PG-13) – 2004
Instructor
Detroit Hamell, M.A.
Detroit Hamell earned a master’s degree in Cinema Studies from NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and his Bachelor’s Degree in Film Studies from Pace University in Manhattan. He is currently earning a second master’s degree in Adolescent Education from Pace University, with certification in English Language Arts and Theater Arts. He plans to pursue a doctorate in Cinema Studies. His journey with cinema began at the Jacob Burns Media Arts Lab in 4th grade, where he cultivated his passion for storytelling and filmmaking. Since 2018, he has worked as a teaching assistant at the Media Arts Lab, inspiring young students to explore the fundamentals and joys of filmmaking. Detroit’s work has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Jacob Burns New Lens Award, Best Director and Best Picture at NYLIFF, and Best Director at the Revolution Me Film Festival. He is also a published poet, a collection of which was honored by the Sarah Willis Award.
CampDoc
We are excited to partner with CampDoc, a third party program we will be using to collect and consolidate student registration information in order to streamline the registration process, and enhance the parent and guardian experience while your child is participating in our program(s). CampDoc will give parents and guardians full access to their own participant portal which they can log into at any time to view course details and information, and previously submitted documents.
Once a course has been purchased on the JBFC website, an email from CampDoc will follow within a few days with instructions on how to create a CampDoc account (if you do not have one already) and submit additional required registration information, such as an updated immunization record, a list of allergies, names of individuals who are authorized to pick your child up, doctor and insurance information, etc., and the deadlines by which this information must be received. We look forward to seeing your child this year.
