A-Doc Activates
As AAPI storytellers continue to face censure, erasure, and growing instability across the documentary field, we hear from our community the need for stronger support for creative work, deeper connection across our network, and more opportunities to use documentary storytelling as a tool for collective power and social change. In response to this moment, we’re excited to launch a new initiative: A-Doc Activates.
A-Doc Activates supports independent documentary filmmakers in developing, distributing, and building impact for microdocumentary (under three minutes) projects that advance solidarity and power. Participating filmmakers will receive mentorship, cohort support, and opportunities to collaborate with organizers, AAPI-led organizations, narrative strategists, and impact producers across our communities.
Following our four-part Educational Series centered on impact strategy, digital audience engagement, and short-form storytelling, our first open call, A-Doc Activates: Past Tense, will support the creation of 15 new microdocs derived from previously released films.
We invite filmmakers to reimagine an existing body of their work and be a part of the process that deconstructs and reconstructs to highlight narratives rooted in the past but speak to present social issues. We view these cutdowns as a way to build a living archive of nonfiction films made by and for the AAPI community.
Selected filmmakers will be guided by a cohort brain trust of distribution and audience engagement consultants and experts, as well as receive production and distribution mentorship to further define their impact and distribution goals for the short-form content they create. Throughout the process, filmmakers will work with edit consultants and the A-Doc Activates team to shape their story and explore how it can come to life in the microdoc form. Each selected filmmaker will receive a $1,000.00 stipend to create and distribute their cutdowns.
Timeline
Submissions open: October 13, 2026
Submissions close: November 9, 2026
Selection notification: End of December 2026
Cohort orientation: January 2027
Public launch: May 2027
Distribution period: May through August 2027
Topics of Interest
At A-Doc, we challenge static and exclusionary assumptions about Asian American identity and embrace dynamic multitudes of Asian American experiences to create new solidarities that harness difference as a strength. For this open call, we welcome submissions based on creative and bold interpretations of three thematic areas critical to our work. Filmmakers will be asked to elaborate on how their film connects with these three themes in their proposal.
- Movement Building and Solidarity
- Defining Family, Community, and Self
- AAPI History Makers
Who is A-Doc Activates Past Tense for?
- A-Doc members who are interested in adapting their previously released films (over 30 minutes) into a microdocumentary format (under three minutes).
- A-Doc members who have previously released films that align with the thematic areas of A-Doc Activates.
- A-Doc members who are interested in exploring alternative distribution and audience engagement strategies and are looking for mentorship in impact strategy and distribution consultation.
- A-Doc members who can commit to cohort activities from January 2027 to August 2027, and will thrive in a collaborative environment with A-Doc Activates team, consultants, as well as fellow cohort members.
Info Session
An information session will be hosted on Wednesday, October 28, at 1 pm PT | 4 pm ET. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend. You can register for the session HERE.
Eligibility
- Current A-Doc member
- Be 18 years old or older
- Be committed to working collaboratively in a cohort
- Projects that center AAPI communities and/or participants
- Commit to full participation in the Past Tense Cohort between January 2027 and August 2027. This includes the cohort orientation in January of 2027, virtual meetings during the cohort period, and a potential final group in-person presentation in May 2027.
- Must be based in the U.S.
Criteria
Eligible applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria. Only one proposal per applicant will be considered.
- Alignment with A-Doc’s mission and Activates program themes
- Contemporary relevance of the film with current social issues
- Narrative structure and story
- Impact and distribution goals
- Filmmaker’s connection to the story and community care
- Priority will be given to applicants who have not received support from A-Doc’s Impact and Storytelling initiative in the past three years. Current A-Doc staff, leadership, and program personnel are not eligible for this opportunity.
- Please note that student and commercial films are not eligible for A-Doc Activates.
To Apply, fill out the Submission Form!
Deadline: 11:59 pm PST, Monday, November 9, 2026
Make sure to follow us on social media at @aadocnetwork and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on the latest A-Doc news. Due to staff capacity, we unfortunately cannot offer feedback to applicants on their applications.
Please visit our Slack to see the FAQ page, or reach out with questions directly via email. A-Doc is dedicated to providing an equitable, accessible, and inclusive application process. If you require accommodations to complete and submit your application, please reach out to us at activates@a-doc.org.