Equipping Storytellers of Tomorrow
How it Started
Growing up in rural Southeast Alabama, Tyden Rickard discovered filmmaking with nothing more than an iPod touch, iMovie, and a determination to tell stories that felt true to the place he called home.
What began in the halls of Rehobeth High School grew into a professional career that has taken him around the world, producing work across continents, building a media company from the ground up, and seeing firsthand how creative skills open doors far beyond their zip codes.
That journey revealed a reality he could never ignore: talent is universal, but access is not. Students across Alabama, especially in rural communities, often possess extraordinary creative potential but lack the equipment, mentorship, and industry exposure needed to turn that potential into a career.
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The Film Exchange was created to change that.
What started as a Houston County pilot has evolved into a statewide vision.
It is a Festival to Fellowship pipeline that discovers emerging storytellers, equips them with professional gear and training, and connects them with real clients and real work. It is a model built by creatives, for creatives, designed to ensure that the next generation does not have to leave Alabama or wait for a lucky break to begin building a future in the creative economy.
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Vision 2030
By 2030, the Film Exchange will operate eight regional programs across Alabama, each built to serve the unique character of its communities while working together as a unified statewide network. This expansion places 80 percent of Alabama’s student population within a forty minute drive of a Film Exchange hub, giving young creatives real access to training, professional tools, and paid opportunities in the creative economy.
This is how we build a competitive talent pipeline for Alabama. As more students enter the Festival to Fellowship pathway, local stories become local careers, and young people begin to see a future for themselves in the state they call home. The Film Exchange is committed to helping Alabama turn the page on outdated narratives and move toward a new era of talent retention and attraction, driven by the next generation of creators.
Meet The Team
Tyden Rickard
Founder &
Executive Director
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Will Smith
Operations Director
(& 2024 Alumnus)
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Melanie Hill
Outreach Coordinator
& Board Member
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Glenn Maloy
Education Coordinator
& Board Member
Industry Partners
Help Us Power Alabama’s
Next Generation of Creative Talent
A competitive creative economy does not grow on its own. It begins with intentional partnership and investment. We are building a statewide network that prepares students for high-growth careers, and we welcome collaboration from education leaders, workforce agencies, creative companies, and funders who want to shape Alabama’s future.