Five students from Sitar’s Documentary Film program were among the handful of students invited to attend First Lady Michelle Obama’s first-ever White House Careers in Film Symposium on Nov. 8.

Precious, RaSeph, Laith, Gabrielle and Leandra participated in workshops and panel discussions focused on directing, costume design, music, sound effects and more, and heard from leaders in the film industry like actress Whoopi Goldberg and Oscar-winning producer Harvey Weinstein about how their education was the key to their success.

The students took advantage of this opportunity to learn from the best in the business, but were not too bashful when it came to taking the initiative to share their own work. The students personally introduced their film Doing it for Me to Goldberg, Weinstein, Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler and even the First Lady herself.

“The day was kind of magical,” said Meridian Hill Pictures’ Brandon Kramer, who was impressed by the students’ ability to communicate about their work and artistic vision so candidly to these big names in the film industry.

High school students from Boston, Brooklyn, and Richard Wright Public Charter School also participated in the symposium. This Morning host Gayle King moderated the event. Other notable guests in attendance include Blake Lively, Naomie Harris, and David Frankel.

All of us at Meridian Hill Pictures could not have been more proud of the impressive work our students accomplished. We are grateful for this incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which we know the students will not soon forget.

More press about the event:

After months of budget-related delays, White House resumes busy events schedule

By Krissah Thompson

November 10, 2013

The Washington Post

The First Lady Hosts the First White House Careers in Film Symposium for Students

By Zara Rahim November 8, 2013

The White House Blog

Additional Photos: Sitar & Meridian Hill Pictures Visit the White House!