In June 2000 Joe Hall purchased three digital cameras and created a community-based film school in his South Bronx neighborhood – The Ghetto Film School (GFS). Combining his love of film with extensive experience in community youth development, Joe has provided has hundreds of emerging filmmakers with first-class training, access to resources and creative relationships.

In 2005 NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg presented Joe with the Mayor’s Award for Arts and Culture, and every year GFS student projects screen at dozens of festivals across the globe. He has been featured on a range of media including the BBC, PBS, CNN, Independent Film Channel, and The New York Times, and is a global speaker/lecturer on youth development practice using assets-based and appreciative inquiry techniques, publishing several articles and chapters in these areas.

From 1989 to 1996 Joe worked for Bronx social service organizations, creating and managing youth development, employment and education programs. Prior to starting GFS his consulting company provided organizational development and fundraising services for several NYC non-profits, raising over $40 million for projects including supportive housing, HIV/AIDS, and youth services.

A native of Springfield, Massachusetts Joe graduated magna cum laude from Curry College in 1989 and later earned a masters degree in social administration from Columbia University. He holds an executive certificate from the Weatherhead Graduate School of Management at Case Western University and spent a year in Los Angeles studying at the School of Cinema and Television at the University of Southern California.

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