Dedicated to supporting the Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities, The Zhao-Chen AAPI Voices Fund recognizes the critical importance of funding for filmmakers developing and delivering their films and the value of investing in Kartemquin’s collaborative model of nurturing early-career filmmakers. Through this fund, Kartemquin is advancing impactful and dynamic stories reflecting on the varied experiences of the AAPI community that challenge and inspire – both filmmakers and the communities they represent.

Kartemquin Films has launched the open call application window for the third round of the Zhao-Chen Family AAPI Voices Fund. During this round, we will support three (3) short documentary films, with a $40,000 grant and a co-production agreement with Kartemquin for each project.

Applications are being accepted from now until Monday, September 22nd at 6:00pm CT.

In our consideration of applications, we will be prioritizing projects that adhere to the following:

• Center AAPI-stories and communities in the U.S. with meaningful connections to the communities on which their project focuses;

• Be working on a short documentary film project (NO features or series at this time);

• Are not enrolled in a degree seeking program for the duration of the funding cycle;

• Be in early- to mid-production.