The A-Doc Storytelling Initiative harnesses the talent of our filmmaking membership to advocate for our agency and shape narratives about AANHPI communities. Our 2024 microdocs series Our Stories, Our Voices, launching digitally on May 23, 2024, shows how people and communities break through the pull of cynicism and hopelessness around civic engagement to have their voices heard.
The film series emphasizes hyperlocal governance, grassroots activism and participation, community movements, creative approaches to civic engagement, and elder and emerging voices in AANHPI communities across the United States. Six filmmakers from the A-Doc community answered our call to create powerful 2-minute films featuring inspiring film participants that can engage and revitalize voters, reminding us that our participation counts, and that disengagement is not an option.
To arrange a community/impact screening this summer and fall, contact us at storytelling@a-doc.org.
Desi Mom – Directed by Chithra Jeyaram
Apolitical mom finds her voice: Lakshmi urges South Asians to shape their children’s and local future.
Votes For Verona – Directed by Joseph Duque
Verona Sagato-Mauga, a first-generation American business owner in Salt Lake County, Utah, campaigns to become the first Samoan to win a state legislative seat in the continental United States.
Ohio is in the Heart – Directed by Sonia Desai Rayka
A mother and daughter in Ohio reflect on their Filipino roots that propel their advocacy for a more inclusive K-12 social studies curriculum.
Uncommitted – Directed by Aisha Sultan
A young, first-time voter struggles with her election choices and seeks guidance from a community elder.
The Fight Continues – Directed by Eden Sabolboro
After losing the 2022 state representative election in Michigan’s 57th district by a narrow margin, Aisha Farooqi, a first-generation Pakistani-American lawyer, embarks on a renewed campaign for the same seat in the 2024 elections.
Apathy Is Not An Option – Directed by Mia Barnett
During the annual pilgrimage to a site where thousands of Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II, two seasoned community activists talk to voters about the 2024 election. Drawing on the history of Japanese American incarceration, they motivate and inspire the next generation to vote.
Each filmmaker receives $3,000 in production funding, as well as $750 for participation in a funded impact campaign to be conducted in the months leading up to the November 2024 elections, in collaboration with APIAVote and our partner organizations. The cohort receives production support from the A-Doc Storytelling Initiative Team (Anuradha Rana, Pallavi Somusetty, Lily Qi, and Impact Producer Kitty Hu), and mentorship from two veteran filmmakers Jessica Q. Chen and Sergio M. Rapu, to further multi-generational alliances, knowledge sharing, and community building.
MEDIA CONTACT
Communications Manager, A-Doc: Neha Aziz (neha@a-doc.org)
Community screening event requests should go to:
Supervising Producers: Anuradha Rana & Pallavi Somusetty (storytelling@a-doc.org)
Impact Producer: Kitty Hu (kitty@shoesoffmedia.com)
ABOUT THE KEY ART & KEY ARTIST
Vivian Shih (she/her) is a Cali-raised, Brooklyn-based, Taiwanese-American artist and illustrator. Her illustrative works explore women’s and POC voices, with themes of inner worlds, dreams, and self-discovery. Emotions play a huge role in her work and she strives to capture the range of feelings that every human being experiences.
For this year’s key art, she depicts movement organizers through imagery of people working together to survive and rise above rough waters. Despite the turbulence that may be happening in the world, there is always the strength of humanity and outspoken voices that will push through together and reach the top of the mountain.
You can view Vivian’s work at: https://www.vivianshih.com/
Instagram: @viv.shih
A-DOC’S STORYTELLING INITIATIVE
Each iteration of the Storytelling Initiative has furthered A-Doc’s mission to increase the visibility and support of Asian Americans in the documentary field, to come together as a multi-generational force to advocate for our presence, and to advocate for equity and diversity in our field.
Watch our prior series here:
2022 Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond, short film series in co-production with WORLD Channel and CAAM.
2021 Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond, microdocs series.
2020 Asian American Stories in the Time of Coronavirus, our inaugural microdocs series.