Armed With a Camera captures the stories of peoples in movement. These Artists reflect imagination and adventure, desperation and courage, minds and bodies moving by leaping and struggling towards new possibilities and futures. Asians and Pacific Islanders in America have always had to create stories and present truths about our communities. They are heirs to that heritage and their stories help bind us to that legacy of our struggles, of and for movements, created through media.”

Since 2002, Armed with a Camera Fellowship for Emerging Media Artists (AWC) has developed and supported over 175 Asian American & Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander filmmakers. Cultivating a rising generation of artists committed to social and political changes and movements, these storytellers have empowered communities and challenged perspectives through their creative works.

For the 2026-2027 cohort, we are looking for SoCal-based Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) artists to utilize this year's theme, "MOVEMENT," as a point of inspiration. During this time of political and social turbulence, we invite future fellows to reflect on the past and present while considering what moves them, both body and mind, whether it is a journey, a gesture, a belief, or a memory.

Visual Communications will work with the Fellows for 12-15 months (Starting in Fall 2026). Their projects will World Premiering at the 43rd Edition of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. During the program, Fellows will be supported by mentors and advisors while creatively producing works to engage our communities. Each Fellow will receive a $2,500 personal stipend, in addition to a $2,500 project stipend to support the creation of their media works.

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS JULY 31, 2026 @ 10PM (PST)