In 2016, the League of American Orchestras conducted a study that revealed a shocking statistic: only 1.8% of the professional orchestra workforce in the US is Black. From an old church rec room in the inner city of Los Angeles, former lawyer-turned-conductor Chuck Dickerson is on a mission to change that. Through ICYOLA - The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles — the largest majority Black orchestra in the country — Chuck is creating life-changing opportunities for his community that did not previously exist. The Orchestra Chuck Built is a loving portrait of a tireless mentor and a testament to the transformative power of music.

AWARDS:

Audience Award-Best Short Documentary - Mountainfilm Festival-2023,

Best Short Doc - African Film Festival Atlanta – 2023,

Best Short Doc - Washington West Int'l FF - 2023

Director Bio/Statement:

Originally from New Orleans, Christopher Stoudt is an award-winning filmmaker based in Los Angeles. In 2018 he was nominated for a Los Angeles Emmy for Outstanding Director for his full-length documentary, Lost LA: Descanso Gardens. His short The Black Rebel was a Vimeo Staff Pick in 2019. His latest documentary short, Camp ALEC, was produced by The Kennedy/Marshall Company and acquired by Disney+ for the forthcoming revival of their series “People and Places.” His film Four Seasons Total Documentary, which profiles the infamous Philadelphia press conference, premiered on MSNBC and was nominated for a Critics’ Choice Award. He is currently in development on his first feature with Vox Media.