Watch the Oscar-nominated short doc 'In the Absence'

Things to Know From Angry Asian America



In the Absence
The documentary short In the Absence, directed by Yi Seung-Jun and Gary Byung-Seok Kam, documents the sinking of the South Korean passenger ferry MV Sewol in 2014. As a result of the ineptitude of the first response to the emerging situation, over three hundred people lost their lives -- most of them schoolchildren. Years later, the victims' families and survivors are still demanding justice from national authorities. The 29-minute film has nominated for Best Documentary Short Subject. Watch it here.

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Brooklyn school board member suspended for referring to Asian students as "yellow children"
In Brooklyn, a school board member is set to face suspension over racially insensitive remarks directed at Asians in a group email exchange. Community Education Council 22 Jackie Cody has been under fire for referring to Asian parents and students as "yellow folks" and "yellow children" in an online forum for school leaders in September. Last week, the school board approved a resolution to ask the schools chancellor to suspend Cody for two months.

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Fried For The Night
Los Angeles producer/DJ TOKiMONSTA, just dropped her latest song "Fried For The Night," featuring Atlanta duo EarthGang, from her upcoming album Oasis Nocturno. "Everyone has a moment where they feel fried and burnt, but what about those moments you feel fried and turnt?" TOKiMONSTA says. "EarthGang brought their special magic to the studio and we made something other worldly. This song is dedicated to those psychedelic moments where our reality opens up a new point of view."

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Jessica Henwick on 'Underwater' and Her 6-Month 'Star Wars' Audition
Perhaps everybody's a little tired of Star Wars takes by now, but am I the only one a little blown away by the revelation that Jessica Henwick had been in the running to play Rey in The Force Awakens? In this interview with Variety, she reveals that the Star Wars audition lasted "fucking six months." She obviously didn't get the role, but was ultimately cast as X-Wing pilot Jess Pava in Episode VII. But damn, it makes you wonder.

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APAICS Congressional Fellowship and Internship
The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies is seeking young AAPI professionals and students who are looking to increase their experience in public policy and service. Apply to the APAICS Congressional Fellowship (deadline: January 24) for young professionals and the APAICS Congressional Internship (deadline: February 27) for undergraduate aged students -- paid programs providing opportunities to build leadership skills, encourages political engagement, and fosters interest in public service careers.

Hey screenwriters! Apply to the CAPE New Writers Fellowship.

Submissions open through January 7, 2019.



Hey, screenwriters! This is an awesome opportunity. The Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) is now accepting submissions for one of its signature initiatives, the 2019 CAPE New Writers Fellowship, a talent and professional development program that trains emerging writers to succeed in Hollywood.

The New Writers Fellowship, led by top industry leaders, is comprised of a multi-week intensive with workshops and panels and a writing lab component. CAPE writers have been staffed on every major network, streaming platform and premium cable channel, as well as cable channels such as FX, Freeform, USA and more.

Here's some more information:

Apply to AAWW's Open City Fellowships

Now accepting applications for the Neighborhoods Fellowship and the Muslim Communities Fellowship



Hey, writers! They Asian American Writers' Workshop is accepting applications for the Open City Fellowships.

Specifically: the Neighborhoods Fellowship, a unique opportunity for emerging Asian American writers to publish narrative nonfiction over the span of six months on the vibrant Asian American communities of New York City; and the Muslim Communities Fellowship, a six-month opportunity for NYC-based writers from Middle Eastern and North and East African communities and Muslim writers of color to write about the Muslim American communities in the city.

Both fellowships offer a $2,500 grant, skill-building workshops, and publishing opportunities to write about the Asian immigrant and Muslim communities of New York City. The fellowship is six months long, beginning in September 2018 and ending in March 2019.

Here are some more details:

Apply to the National Fellowship Program for Asian American Organizing and Civic Engagement

Seeding Change seeks young Asian Americans activists for summer fellowship.



Seeding Change is currently accepting applications for the 2018 National Fellowship Program for Asian American Organizing and Civic Engagement. Applications are due online on January 15.

Established in 2014, the fellowship program is an intensive 10-12-week, full-time volunteer program that develops the leadership of a new generation of activists and organizers who are deeply invested in building the power of and improving the lives of working-class Asian immigrant communities.

The fellowship program runs June 4 to August 16, 2018. Fellows will be placed with a community-based organization, where they will spend at least 8-10 weeks, working with the organization, immigrant leaders, and the local community. Host organizations are located in California, the Midwest, Northeast, and North Carolina, where they are working in Chinese, Khmer, Filipino, Hmong, Muslim, South Asian, Vietnamese communities.

Hey writers! Apply to the 2017 CAPE New Writers Fellowship

Submissions open until Monday, January 9



Hey, screenwriters! This is a heads up that the submission deadline for the 2017 CAPE New Writers Fellowship is quickly approaching. Presented by the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, this is an opportunity to take part in an intensive 12-session scriptwriting program led by top industry professionals.

The Fellows are selected by entertainment industry professionals through a rigorous process that includes three rounds of blind script judging and an interview. Each writer or writing team will participate in the 12-session program in Los Angeles and receive a cash stipend and certificate upon successful completion of the program. All entries must be submitted electronically by Monday, January 9 at 11:59PM PST.

Apply to AAJA's 2016 Voices Fellowship

Multimedia journalism training fellowship for college and graduate students.


Hey, student journalists! The Asian American Journalists Association is accepting applications for the 2016 VOICES program, an multimedia journalism training fellowship for college students, graduate students and recent grads, taking place August 8-13 during the week of the 2016 AAJA National Convention in Las Vegas.

VOICES is a multimedia journalism training fellowship for college and graduate students, as well as a leadership program for mid-career journalists. Students will be mentored by professional journalists and be expected to produce and complete news assignments at the 2016 convention. Transportation, convention registration and hotel expenses will be covered for the students selected.

Here are some more details about the fellowship:

Apply to The Margins Fellowship & Open City Project Grants

The Asian American Writers' Workshop invites emerging writers to apply by November 9.



Are you an Asian American creative writer in search of a home to help cultivate your work? Do you want to write the stories of Asian immigrant communities in New York City you wish you saw in the mainstream media? Here's a great opportunity. The Asian American Writers' Workshop is now accepting applications for The Margins Fellowship and Open City Project Grant.

The year-long Margins Fellowship combines publication opportunities, a writers' retreat, mentorship, work space, and a $5,000 grant. With a six-month Open City Project Grant you'll join our journalism workshops series, have a chance to publish with AAWW, and get a $2,500 grant, plus more.

Here's some more information about both opportunities:

Apply to the 2015-16 Armed With a Camera Fellowship

For emerging media artists. Application deadline: Friday, October 2



Hey filmmakers! Visual Communications, the nation's premiere media arts center dedicated to the honest and accurate portrayal of Asian Pacific Americans, is putting the final call for applications submissions for its latest cycle of the Armed With a Camera Fellowship for Emerging Media Artists.

The AWC Fellowship nurtures the next generation of APA media artists to capture their world, surroundings and outlook on life. Visual Communications works with the Fellows for seven months and provides special training, mentoring and networking opportunities, access to facilities and equipment, plus a cash stipend to create four to five-minute digital shorts that premiere at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

But heads up: the application deadline is this Friday, October 2. Here's some more information on how to apply:

CAUSE Civic Engagement Leadership Fellowship 2015-16

Now accepting applications for CAUSE's leadership development fellowship for graduate students.



Hey graduate students! If you're in Southern California, interested in public affairs, studying in the fields of political science, public policy or public administration, and looking for an opportunity to actively engage with the APA immigrant community, here's a great fellowship opportunity for you.

The Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment is now accepting applications for the CAUSE Civic Engagement Leadership Fellowship (CELF), a leadership development fellowship program geared towards graduate students interested in becoming greater civic leaders for the benefit of the APA community.

Here are some more details about the fellowship:

Apply to the Sundance Institute's Asian American Feature Film Fellowship

Deadline extended to June 22.



Hey filmmakers! Got a story to tell? Here's an awesome opportunity for you... The Sundance Institute's Asian American Feature Film Fellowship aims to further the presence of Asian American voices in independent film. Made possible in part by the A3 Foundation and Naja and David Lockwood, the Fellowship will support an Asian American writer (or writer-director) on the development of their feature screenplay through participation in a Screenwriters Lab, Screenwriters Intensive, or Creative Producing Summit.

The Fellowship, which is currently accepting applications, is open to writers or writer-directors developing their first or second narrative feature film and of Asian American descent, or with significant themes and/or characters relating to the Asian American experience in their screenplay.

Here are some more details about the Fellowship:

Apply to the Jubilee Project Fellowship 2015

An intensive two-week mentorship program for aspiring filmmakers who want to inspire change.



Our friends at the Jubilee Project aim to make stories that inspire change. Now it's your turn.

The Jubilee Project Fellowship is a transformative experience for aspiring filmmakers, producers, storytellers, and changemakers. They're looking for twelve young, aspiring filmmakers to join them in Los Angeles this summer to live together for two weeks, August 2-16, to write, direct and produce films together.

Here's a video with your invitation:

Hey writers! Apply to the Dat Winning Fellowship.

Seeking aspiring Asian American writers with an interest in sports journalism.



Are you an Asian American writer who is passionate about sports? Dat Winning, an online sports blog written from an Asian American perspective, is looking for writers to apply for the Dat Winning Fellowship, a space for emerging Asian American writers to "cut their teeth" in the field of sports journalism. You'll receive guidance, workshops and editorial feedback from a team of established Asian American professionals in the field.

Here are some more details about the fellowship:

Apply to the Asian American Writers' Workshop Fellowships

Two different fellowships for emerging writers in New York City



Hey, writers! The Asian American Writers' Workshop is now accepting applications for two different year-long fellowships for emerging writers in New York City, associated with AAWW's online magazines, Open City and The Margins. Whether you're a hard-nosed reporter, a prose stylist, or a poet, they've got something for you. Read on for more information about the fellowships:

14th Annual CAPE New Writers Fellowship

Submit your scripts by January 31



Hey, screenwriters! Got that awesome feature or television script you want to share with the world? Do you have material, but need some guidance on how to successfully pitch your project? Then CAPE, the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment, invites you to submit your work to the 14th annual CAPE New Writers Fellowship. Up to ten fellows will be selected to attend an intensive writing fellowship with exclusive opportunities to meet top industry professionals. Here are some more details:

Apply to the Sundance/A3 Foundation Feature Film Fellowship

Hey Asian American filmmakers! Got an awesome screenplay? This is for you.

The recently established A3 (Asian American Artists) Foundation Fellowship is part of the Sundance Institute's Feature Film Program Screenwriters and Directors Labs. This Fellowship aims to support Asian American writers (or writer-directors) through the development of their feature screenplay, as well as screenplay content that is Asian American-themed.

The A3 Fellowship is now accepting applications to participate in the 2014 January Sundance Screenwriters Lab. Here are some more details:

Apply to AAWW's 2013 Open City Fellowship

Open City, an online magazine published by the Asian American Writers' Workshop, documents the pulse of metropolitan Asian America as it's being lived on the streets of New York right now. Open City grants a $5,000 fellowship, career guidance, and publishing opportunities to five Creative Nonfiction Fellows to write and produce both short-form and long-form editorial content on the vibrant immigrant communities of Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.

Are you an emerging Asian American writer who needs mentorship, financial support and a place to publish? You're invited to apply for the Open City 2013-2014 Creative Nonfiction Fellows. Past Open City Creative Nonfiction Fellows have gone on to publish in the Atlantic, The Nation and the New York Times. This could be you, so get on this with your writerly self.

UPDATE: Here's a new video on Open City Creative Nonfiction Fellowship:

A3 Foundation announces partnership with Sundance Institute

I'm excited to relay this news about the A3 Foundation, a new venture to promote Asian Americans in entertainment. Founded by a group of early Facebook employee, their goal is to diversity and support Asian American voices and faces in American media through television, film and online media.

This week at special reception at the Sundance Film Festival, they announced a collaboration with the Sundance Institute to establish the A3 Sundance Institute Director/Screenwriting Fellowship, which will support a talented artist with an Asian American-themed project from among the Fellows selected by the prestigious Sundance Institute Feature Film Program Directing or Screenwriting Lab.

The A3 Foundation has already launched its first Fellows Program, collaborating with established online mediamakers Wong Fu Productions and YOMYOMF to pair fellows with funding and mentorship.

To learn more about the Asian American Artists Foundation, go to the A3 website.

apply to the 2012-2013 caam fellowship program

Attention filmmakers! The Center for Asian American Media is currently accepting applications for the 2012-2013 James T. Yee Talent Development Program.

The new and improved version of the program pairs emerging and mid-level Asian American media professionals with experienced Asian American veterans working at the highest levels in media, across all disciplines.

In the past, mentors have included director Jessica Yu, producers Dan Lin and Gina Kwon, TV exec Stephen Tao, and screenwriter Iris Yamashita. Here are some more details about the program: