AAPI Futures Impact Producer Fellowship

The Asian American Documentary Network and Asian American Futures are seeking proposals from Impact Producers with documentary films they are currently working on and actively engaged in an impact campaign to participate in the AAPI Futures Impact Producer Fellowship. Four (4) Fellows will be awarded a grant ($17,000) towards their film’s impact campaign and a fellowship program from April-December 2025. Identifying a need for more training and expansion in the Impact Producing space, the Fellowship is designed for the Impact Producers to level-up in a community of peers, collaborators, and leaders within the documentary film and social justice ecosystem. The AAPI Futures Impact Producer Fellowship will be tailored towards each Fellow’s needs and provide the optimal amount of support and mentorship required. Impact Producer Fellows are expected to complete their proposed Impact Campaigns by the end of the fellowship.

Requirements

Ideal Impact Producers have some experience with developing collaborative or community-based projects that involve the AAPI community and incorporate key elements of film, narrative strategies, or storytelling. They can be experienced in Impact Producing work or be interested in and committed to becoming one. Candidates are in alignment with A-Doc values and promise to contribute to a collaborative learning environment. We value applications with diverse backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and expertise.

Eligible AAPI Futures Impact Producer Fellow Candidates:

• Have been working in the capacity of an Impact Producer on a film, OR are interested in or committed to becoming an Impact Producer, OR have some experience with developing collaborative or community-based projects that involve the AAPI community.
• Are attached to a film project and actively designing or executing an impact campaign for the film. These films should be recently completed or very close to completion.
• You may hold additional roles with a film (including Director/Producer) if you are applying. You will need to make the case of your role as Impact Producer of the film and impact campaign, and the overall intention of this fellowship to support and build up Impact Producers within our field.
• Intend to use the grant towards execution of the film’s Impact Campaign (e.g. payment of Impact Producer fee, event space rental, travel costs for film team or protagonists, etc).
• Are in alignment with A-Doc values.
• Demonstrate a practice or deep interest in supporting the AAPI community through film, art, and storytelling.
• Are familiar with the cultural history and issues impacting the AAPI community.
• Projects must focus and center AAPI communities and/or participants.
• Participants must be prepared for their participation in the AAPI Futures Impact Producer Fellowship, including the in-person cohort retreat in May 2025. See below for more information.
• Only one proposal per applicant will be accepted.
• Must be based in the U.S.
• Are at least 21 years of age.

Applications that are NOT eligible:

• The film does not focus on social issue topics relevant to the AAPI experience, or does not advance the theme of AAPI legacy.
• The film does not center Asian and/or Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities and/or participants.
• The film does not demonstrate intended impact with nonfiction film, narrative strategies, or storytelling.
• Applicants that intend to use the grant towards production or post-production costs of a film.

Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Intended impact of the film.
• The issue the project is addressing.
• Exhibits a high level of demonstrative skills of impact producing.
• Can be accomplished within the proposed budget and timeline.
• Connection to the community.

Application Instructions

Apply online