A group of Chicago high school dropouts have returned to school to create art in the form of movies.  Their work is now recognized for generating awareness about some of the most pressing social issues.

The students have also completed another big accomplishment-graduation.

They are a part of the Alternative Schools Network and became involved in a film project throughout the year.  The short movies tackle everything from youth violence to human trafficking.

One of the movies, “What Is Freedom” won the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives National Video Challenge.

Some of the students traveled to Washington D.C to speak about the impact of human trafficking on local communities.  That visit helped spark interest in Dallas and New York schools to address human trafficking.

The students are being honored Thursday night as part of the Chicago Youth Community Film Festival at the Chicago Cultural Center.

For more information on how to view the movies visit www.ctvnetwork.org