12 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Filmmakers Selected for the Annual Program to Strengthen Representation in Independent Media
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF., February 13, 2025 - The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) and the nonprofit Sundance Institute have partnered for a third year of the Sundance Institute | The Asian American Foundation Fellowship and Scholarship, providing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) artists working in film and television with professional development resources and opportunities to connect with peers and mentors. The initiative supports creatives at all stages of their career from emerging artists to more seasoned professionals with the goal of meaningfully increasing AANHPI representation in independent media.
TAAF's support for the program underscores its commitment to narrative change, promoting more diverse and nuanced portrayals of AANHPIs on screen. Authentic representation in media is about more than just visibility-it's about creating a sense of belonging for our communities, and fostering greater safety and prosperity, said Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF. When our stories are told by us with depth and complexity, they can challenge and dismantle stereotypes, strengthen our shared identity, and contribute to a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive.
Each year, the Fellowship program provides six AANHPI artists at critical junctures in their career with a year-long fellowship that focuses on advancing their creative and technical development. Fellows receive creative guidance, practical support, and a $20,000 unrestricted grant. In addition, six emerging AANHPI creatives are awarded Scholarships, which include a year-long artist development experience that offers mentorship from a Sundance artist alumnus, personalized career and project support , and opportunities to engage with Sundance staff and the broader creative community virtually and in person at the Sundance Film Festival. Artists may work in either film or television, across both fiction and nonfiction genres.
Our ongoing partnership with The Asian American Foundation reaffirms our commitment to uplifting AANHPI artists and ensuring their stories influence independent film and television. By offering essential financial and career development support at a pivotal moment in an artist's career, we empower them to thrive and create work that resonates beyond their immediate communities. We're honored to celebrate the third year of the Fellowship and Scholarship and eagerly anticipate the incredible impact these artists will make, said Hajnal Molnar-Szakacs, Director, Artist Accelerator and Women at Sundance at Sundance Institute.
The Sundance Institute | The Asian American Foundation Fellowship and Scholarship was created in 2022 through the generous financial support of founding partners Panda Express, who provided the grant to TAAF, and The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, to provide artists with grants and year-round resources to help facilitate professional growth and industry connections.
The artists selected for the year three cohort of fellows are:
Nicole Docta
About the Artist: Nicole Docta is an award-winning filmmaker who's focused her career on socially impactful projects and BIPOC stories. Docta was a Special Initiatives Producer at Firelight Media, is a DOC NYC 40 Under 40 Alum, Producers Guild of America Create Alum, Sundance Institute Producer Fellow and Impact Partners Producer Fellow.
Project: Adopting | All adoptions start with a trauma. Through this lens, Adopting explores adoption practices in need of reform. The film explores the emotional journey unique to adopted people and the life-long lessons generations of adoptees have to offer.
Masami Kawai
About the Artist: Masami Kawai is a Los Angeles-born filmmaker of Ryukyuan descent. She was a Sundance Institute Screenwriting and Directing Fellow, participated in Gotham Project Market and Film Independent's FastTrack. Her films have screened in various venues the Rotterdam Film Festival, LACMA, and Palm Springs ShortFest.
Project: Valley of the Tall Grass | A TV/VCR combo set is thrown out, but it survives and circulates through the lives of various working-class indigenous characters of color in an Oregon town. They find forgotten memories, love, and connection through this seemingly obsolete object.
Courtney Loo
About the Artist: Courtney Loo is a writer-director & entrepreneur. She's a 2024 Sundance Institute Screenwriting Fellow and 2023 Almanack Screenwriting Fellow. Her latest short premiered at SXSW 2023. As an entrepreneur, Loo co-founded a management company that reps multi-platinum musicians. Bangbang Teahouse will be her debut feature.
Project: Bangbang Teahouse | Hayley and Mimi - a Chinese American music duo - stop at absolutely nothing to convince their label to release their long-awaited album over a raucous, self-destructive 48 hours in New York City.
Jess dela Merced
About the Artist: Jess dela Merced is a Sundance Institute Episodic Lab fellow, a director in the Disney-ABC Directing Program, one of Filmmaker Magazine's 25 New Faces of Independent Film, a SFFILM Rainin grant recipient, and a Hamptons Screenwriters Lab participant. Her recent writing credits include a feature comedy for Sony.
Project: SPARES | An aging Filipina mother's belief in putting family first is put to the ultimate test when she unexpectedly reignites her passion for bowling, setting off a high-stakes journey of self-discovery.
Jing Wang
About the Artist: Jing Wang, was born in China, where her name means quiet, Wang has made a stark contrast by vocally advocating through her films. They are powerful stories about the immigrant experience, which highlight her commitment to both her craft and her community.
Project
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
26/03/2026
Extron and Audio-Technica have announced that their Design Solutions devices, Ce...
26/03/2026
SPORTEL Asia took place March 24-25 at the Orchard Hotel Singapore, drawing 370 participants representing more than 220 companies from 35 countries. Approximate...
26/03/2026
LTN will demonstrate satellite-to-IP migration solutions for broadcasters, cable networks, MVPDs, and station groups at NAB Show 2026 (Booth W2100).
The C-Ban...
26/03/2026
The Seattle Mariners have partnered with Daktronics to install an upgraded outfi...
26/03/2026
The Esports Foundation (EF) has awarded National Team Partner status to organizations and individuals across more than 100 countries and territories for the Esp...
26/03/2026
Telestream has announced expanded integration between its Vantage workflow platf...
26/03/2026
FOR-A Corporation has announced a partnership with Nippon TV and NVIDIA to distr...
26/03/2026
CBS Sports and the WNBA have expanded their partnership through a new long-term, multiplatform rights agreement. CBS Sports will feature up to 20 regular-season...
26/03/2026
Zac Brown Band will star in the Sunday Night Baseball show open on NBC and Peacock, NBC Sports announced. The open was filmed at American Family Field, home of ...
26/03/2026
Major League Baseball opens the 2026 season with nationally televised games across multiple media partners. Fans can visit MLB.com/Watch for a complete schedule...
26/03/2026
DIRECTV has announced an agreement to carry nine new MLB-operated team channels, covering the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers (Detroit SportsNet), Kansas City R...
26/03/2026
Nationals.TV, the Washington Nationals' local broadcast channel, is now avai...
26/03/2026
Starting Thursday, March 26, MLB.TV will be available on the ESPN App, giving fans access to more than 2,000 out-of-market regular season games. Fans can also r...
26/03/2026
Spotify's partnership with NAVER, Korea's leading digital platform, is built around one simple goal: making it easier for listeners in Korea to discover...
26/03/2026
Exclusive to ComposerCloud for first month
Sample library and virtual instrument gurus EastWest have announced the upcoming release of a new virtual drum i...
26/03/2026
Friday 27 March
Friday 27 March will mark Dynamic Range Day 2026, the annual day of online activity that was started in 2010 by mastering engineer Ian Sheph...
26/03/2026
Includes four separate instruments
Max Richter's SRM Sounds venture have just announced their fifth release, ASMR Choir. Captured at the main live room ...
26/03/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), has been tasked with administering the Sixth Presi...
26/03/2026
By Matt Klein
Hello to everyone reading this - whether you're a current YEP, HPA member, or just YEP-curious. I'm Matt Klein, one of the co-chairs of t...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
28 participating companies, from start-ups to blue-chips, lead the UK Group as part of the GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland presence across all the Halls at N...
26/03/2026
Arkona Unveils BLADE//planner and Major Usability Enhancements at NAB 2026
Brie Clayton March 26, 2026
0 Comments
New graphical configuration tool and...
26/03/2026
Bitfocus showcases complete control at NAB Show 2026
Brie Clayton March 26, 2026
0 Comments
Continuing development drives advances in security, availa...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
26/03/2026
Nevion introduces powerful new Panel Builder to enhance VideoIPath broadcast con...
26/03/2026
2026 Oscar Nominated Films Powered by Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton March 25, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio used on 27 of this year's no...
26/03/2026
Leader to present full suite of advanced Test & Measurement solutions at NAB Sho...
26/03/2026
Boston Conservatory to Present New England and Collegiate Premiere of Groundbrea...
26/03/2026
Thursday 26 March 2026
HBO Max included for Sky and NOW customers from 26 March...
26/03/2026
Thursday 26 March 2026
Sky Sets Iconic Costumes Dancing Together Like Never Before' in Brand CampaignTurn on cookies to view this content. Go to Privacy o...
26/03/2026
Wuppertal March 26, 2026
CS live Builds Future-Ready OB Van With Riedel MediorNet and hi Control SystemRiedel Communications today announced that Czech-based ...
26/03/2026
Back to All News
Have a Wish Worth Dying For? Netflix's First Korean YA Hor...
26/03/2026
Back to All News
The Truthers, Starring Jose Coronado and St phanie Magnin, Pre...
26/03/2026
Enhancements to Harmonic's Sports Streaming Solution Introduce Server-Side Multiview, Contextual Metadata-Driven Advertising, Dynamic In-Stream Ads and Robu...
26/03/2026
Open the report
Our 2025 report brings together results from 79 business magazine titles across 22 market sectors, published by 49 media owners. Over the year,...
26/03/2026
Editor's note: This post is part of Into the Omniverse, a series focused on ...
26/03/2026
RT Commercial today announced Fiat as sponsor of The Louise Duffy Show on RT Radio 1, Weekdays 3pm 4pm.
The Louise Duffy Show is the home of daytime music...
26/03/2026
That gaming backlog won't clear itself - GeForce NOW is here to help. Stream the latest titles straight from the cloud across a variety of devices.
This we...
26/03/2026
Wayne, N.J., March 26, 2026 Phantom High-Speed announces the latest product li...
12 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Filmmakers Selected for the Annual Program to Strengthen Representation in Independent Media
