From the Executive Director
As June comes to an end, Summer of Storytelling begins at the Alliance. During July and August, we sponsor programs and highlight the work of our members and partners who are true frontline creative leaders — supporting artist development and training, reinforcing community health and wellness, curating cultural events, mentoring and lifting youth voices — and so much more. In the next two summer issues of the eBulletin, we will share some of this work and urge you to support these artists and organizations in every way possible. Shout them out on the socials, write a love note, show up to a screening or event, offer a free artist talk, contribute some money.
We always say the Alliance is a network of networks, that we “embolden creative media organizations + artists and connect them with the world.” Today, I reach out, as boldly as I can, to encourage everyone to step forward in your neighborhoods, acknowledge those who are living in greater risk this year than before, connect in any way that feels right. As corny as it sometimes sounds, we believe that if we want to change this world, we must change the stories first. And our communities are doing just that.
Check out:
- Check Out:
- YouthFX has a rad summer program, free for Albany young people
- Watts Culture Fest and all the happenings at WLCAC
- BlackStar Film Festival!
- A new article in Storytelling Matters on Wide Angle mediamakers and their impact in Baltimore, Wide Angle Youth Media and a Changing Baltimore by Ben Shaffron-Davis
If you are an Alliance member and have summer programs and screenings you’d like to share, please send them to valentina@thealliance.media and we’ll add them to our social media and newsletter outreach!
~ Wendy
wendy@thealliance.media
Notes from the Field
UnionDocs Audio and Performance Lab Applications Open
UnionDocs is currently accepting applications for its Audio & Performance Lab, with a deadline of Friday, July 27th. Twelve selected sound artists will work as a cohort from September to December to produce a series of short pieces designed for live performance. During the Lab, participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with mentors, visiting artists, and a community of peers to help complete innovative sound art projects.
Bay Area Creative Foundation Gathers for it’s Creatitive Youth Celebration
On Friday, July 19th, the Bay Area Creative Foundation is hosting its fifth annual Creative Youth Awards Showcase at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. This free event features film screenings from high school award recipients, alongside panel discussions, hands-on art activities, and pop-up performances.
Grants and Calls
Barbara Hammer Lesbian Experimental Filmmaking Grant
Lesbian video artists creating formally boundary-pushing moving-image work are eligible for the Barbara Hammer Lesbian Experimental Filmmaking Grant. Established in 2017 by legendary filmmaker Barbara Hammer and supported by her estate, the grant offers a $5,000 award and includes studio visits with staff from Queer|Art, the organization administering and judging the grant.
Deadline: July 2nd
AXS Film Fund
Filmmakers living with disabilities are invited to submit either feature length documentary films, or nonfiction new media projects that involve video components, for the AXS Film Fund. The fund will award up to five creators with up to $10,000. Submitted projects may be at any stage of production.
Deadline: July 31st
POV Call for Entries
The documentary short showcase POV is seeking submissions to be aired on PBS during its 2026 broadcast season. Selected films will be featured on the prestigious program, the longest-running independent nonfiction showcase on television.
Deadline: July 31st
Job Bank
Maine International Film Festival, July 11–20, Waterville, ME
New York Asian Film Festival, July 11–27, New York, NY
Essence Film Festival, July 5-7, New Orleans, LA
Waco Independent Film Festival, July 17–20, Waco, TX
Woods Hole Film Festival, July 26–August 2, Woods Hole, MA
BlackStar Film Festival, July 31–August 3, Philadelphia, PA
Media Policy Watch
During a hearing on June 25th titled “Spies, Lies, and Mismanagement: Examining the U.S. Agency for Global Media’s Downfall,” senior advisor to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, Kari Lake, defended dismantling the organization overseen by the agency, Voice of America (VOA), and the cutting of 85% of its staff. She claimed VOA is “incompetent, corrupt, and biased,” and argued that the U.S. government should exert greater control over it’s reporting due to its impact on foreign policy.
In a bizarre turn of events, Lake responded to criticism from Representative Greg Stanton by claiming that he, too, should oppose the agency — alleging that VOA had once spread a rumor that he had a “gay lover.” This claim had never appeared in print or broadcast prior to Lake’s comment, as confirmed by the Phoenix New Times.
In related news, during recent U.S. military strikes in Iran, President Donald Trump used Voice of America (VOA) Persian to broadcast a message in Persian directly to the Iranian people. Previously a 24/7 outlet known for promoting U.S.-aligned secular and opposition content, VOA Persian has been significantly reduced, with programming now limited to occasional short segments approved by Trump himself.
Workshops, Festivals, Convenings
Programs Director, The Hermitage Artist Retreat — Sarasota, FL
Director of Learning & Education Programs, Folger Shakespeare Library— Washington, DC