Local filmmaker Gary Chilutti founded Films-4-Good to make documentaries with a purpose

MEDIA, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Paid Sponsor Partnership: Philadelphia Corporation for Aging

Gary Chilutti first discovered his passion for filmmaking while doing social work.

"My first career was in community-based development, helping disadvantaged communities to create and implement comprehensive solutions to revitalize," says Chilutti, now owner and filmmaker at Films-4-Good, based in Media, Pennsylvania.

He found making videos helped better convey messages to communities.

"I had an affinity for it," he says.

In 2010, he founded Films-4-Good, where he says his "sweet spot" is making documentary films.

"I consider myself a purpose-driven filmmaker," he says. "To inform, involve, and inspire people to become engaged in their communities and take action, and find meaning."

Chilutti spent the last few years working on the documentary, "The Journey Home."

"A film that follows veterans from the point at which they return and then confront, deal with, and hopefully heal from the trauma they've experienced being in the military," he says.

It focuses on the Veterans Brotherhood, a nonprofit that supports vets in need. Chilutti says the purpose of the film is "to prevent military suicide, to save lives."

"We have to get directly to veterans, active-duty service members," he says. "The veterans that have seen it have said to me, you got it right, like, that's my experience."

The film also talks a little bit about resources for both veterans and their families.

A guitar player from the age of ten, he also creates original music for his films. He says both songwriting and filmmaking are "good for introspection, for healing."

"I don't know where I would be without music," he says.

Chilutti's latest film in pre-production delves into his personal life and adoption story.

"There's going to be a film about the process by which I discovered my biological family based on a 'Daily News' article that was done some years back," he says. "The story about my family history would involve a look at both sides of the adoption issue."

Chilutti says he hopes his docs make an impact, connecting people and building community.

"There's so much in the world to be done. The good news is there's something for everybody to do," he says. "It really enriches my life."

You can catch a screening of Gary Chilutti's doc, "The Journey Home" on Saturday, September 6 at 12:30pm and 4pm at the North Penn VFW Post 676 as part of the Ardsley Music and Arts Festival in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

For more information:

Films-4-Good
"The Journey Home"
The Veterans Brotherhood
Ardsley Music and Arts Festival at the North Penn VFW Post 676 in Glenside, Pa.

North Penn VFW Post 676
2519 Jenkintown Road
Glenside, Pennsylvania 19038