TAAF and the Sundance Institute are taking action to support creatives at all stages of their career—from emerging artists to more seasoned professionals—with the goal of meaningfully increasing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) representation in independent media.

Since 2022, the Sundance Institute | The Asian American Foundation Fellowship and Scholarship program has connected dozens of AAPI artists working in film and television with professional development resources and opportunities to connect with peers and mentors.

Every year, a total of 12 creatives (6 Fellows and 6 Scholars) are immersed in the Sundance Institute's artist community, resources, and mentorship to push their projects toward the screen. All artists receive the Artist Accelerator Program's year-round support: hands-on guidance and bespoke project support, access to script consultancies, invitations to professional development programming, and a stipend to attend the Sundance Film Festival with a curated schedule. Furthermore, the six Fellows receive a $20,000 non-recoupable grant, and the six Scholarship recipients are paired with a Sundance Institute alumni mentor.

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The Fellowship and Scholarship were 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.

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“The beauty of storytelling, it's the power to really change the heart and mind of an audience.” — Andrea Cherng, Chief Brand Officer, Panda Express

“MacArthur’s aims are centered around leveraging philanthropy as a means to empower underserved communities, and we are proud to be a part of such an effort alongside the Sundance Institute, TAAF, and Panda Express. We look forward to seeing the impact that the Fellowship and Scholarship have on shaping the next generation of AAPI artists in film and media.” — Kathy Im, Director of Journalism and Media, MacArthur Foundation

“Investing in and empowering AAPI artists is a powerful way of ensuring our stories are seen as part of the fabric of American life and culture.” — Norman Chen, CEO, The Asian American Foundation

“Through funding and mentorship, we’re helping artists bring bold, authentic stories to the screen and reach audiences across communities.” — Hajnal Molnar-Szakacs, Director, Artist Accelerator at Sundance Institute